Olympic Hopeful Inspires Grammy Nominated Song

Olympic hopeful Delilah DiCrescenzo has been made popular by a song that has become a part of pop culture. The song, Hey There Delilah, was inspired by DiCrescenzo, a Columbia University graduate and assistant track coach at Pennsylvania’s Bryn Mawr College.

Delilah is a nationally ranked 3,000 meter steeplechase runner training for the 2008 Olympic trials. In 2006, she placed 3rd at outdoor championships in the event, earning an alternate spot on Team USA for the World Championships.

Despite the lyrics, White T’s singer, Tom Higgenson, and Delilah have not previously dated, however the couple have a date to attend the Grammy’s next month in Los Angeles. Higgenson was inspired to write a song about Delilah soon after they were introduced by a mutual friend. The 2005 NCAA All-American had the following to say about her new found fame.

“What I really hope through all of this is that it spotlights track and field, and it gives the sport a face, which is really important to us athletes in an Olympic year,” the muse of the two-time Grammy nominated song told TODAY co-hosts Meredith Vieira and Matt Lauer on Wednesday.

The song, written five years ago, struck a chord with fans and became a summer smash. It topped the charts in late July and is still enjoying heavy air play. The song also turned Delilah DiCrescenzo into a nation wide star.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.