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O F F T HE D R AW PHOTO COURTESY OF Mikey Reeves/University of Delaware COLLEGE HOCKEY p The University of Delaware women's ice hockey program will join College Hockey America in July 2025. Blue Hens Taking Blue Hens Taking Flight In Delaware Flight In Delaware he University of Delaware will add women's ice hockey as a varsity sport and join College Hockey America on July 1, 2025. The Blue Hens are the 45th college or university to sponsor a Division I women's ice hockey program. "The addition of women's varsity ice hockey at UD is the latest bold step in the evolution of our Athletics program, raising the profile of our outstanding Blue Hen stu- dent-athletes and the whole University," Dennis Assanis, University of Delaware president, said. "We are deeply committed to gender equity in Athletics and through- out UD, and we are excited to be part of this growing sport." The University of Delaware has offered women's ice hockey as a club sport since 2003, with the club earning a top-10 national ranking in each of the last 10 sea- sons. The University will continue offer- ing women's ice hockey as a club sport in 2024-25 and beyond. With the announcement of Delaware football transitioning to FBS, the University was committed to adding a women's sport to continue to stay Title IX compliant. The University looked at a number of key criteria, includ- ing the feasibil- ity, continued commitment to gender equity, recruiting footprint, conference fit, facili- ties and ability to win championships. The University of Delaware performed a feasibility study funded by the Industry Growth Fund, a joint initiative of the NHL and NHLPA, with the goal of empowering schools exploring the addition of men's and/or women's Division I varsity ice hockey. The results of the study reinforced UD's findings and made clear that women's ice hockey was the best path forward. "The growth of women's hockey is undeniable and unstoppable," Kim Davis, NHL senior executive vice president of social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs, said. "The NHL is proud to support the development of the University of Delaware's women's ice hockey team—it represents our vision to open access, opportunity and aspirational pathways for young women in the game." Delaware and the Philadelphia Flyers are also forming a partnership and more details are to come later this season. P T 10 // JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM