Captains, Champions, Coaches: Double Dels Christine and Jay Motta

This is the second of a Valentine's Day series during the month of February featuring University of Delaware student-athlete Double Del couples. Stay tuned throughout the month for additional stories. See Missy and Matt Arenz's story here.

Christine, a former University of Delaware women's basketball player, and Jay, a former Blue Hens men's lacrosse player, are Double Dels, a term used to describe married couples that both graduated from UD. While 15% of alumni are Double Dels, Christine and Jay share a special story as not only graduates, but also as former student-athletes and coaches.

“We had very parallel careers here. We were both captains on both of our teams, we were part of championship teams and NCAA tournament teams, but actually we met at the athlete's bible study here on campus,” said Christine.

“One of the funny stories is during one of the activities that we were doing at athlete's bible study, you had to find someone that you were paired with, so it was different duos in literature, so she was Juliet and I was Romeo,” Jay reminisced.

Jay and Christine's friendship grew from that day. In addition to their involvement with athlete's bible study, they both led very successful athletic careers. After transferring to Delaware as a senior, Christine led her team to a record of 21-8 and a berth in the America East Conference Tournament. She started 27 games, had 113 assists, 59 steals and ranked second on the team with 21 three-pointers.

As a captain and an all-conference player on the lacrosse team, Jay was a midfielder and faceoff specialist. After graduation, he won two world championships with the Philadelphia Barrage in Major League Lacrosse.

Christine graduated a year before Jay. Their friendship continued as Christine became an assistant women's basketball coach and Jay was completing his senior year.

“When I was coaching here, I would have to shut down the Bob Carpenter Center after the other team practiced before their game, so he would come over and we would basically have the arena to ourselves, so we would shoot around and play one-on-one,” Christine recalled.

The happy couple dated for 15 months before engagement. Their love for UD was so strong that the couple took their wedding pictures on The Green.

“It was a huge part of who we were here. We actually got married down here, (even though we're not) from Delaware. We just love Delaware so much. We took our wedding pictures on campus. We wanted to raise our kids around this environment, to be at a Division 1 Institution and have the opportunity for our kids to have these role models,” said Christine.

Their involvement with the athletic department continued after graduation. As an assistant women's basketball coach for the 2000-01 season, the Blue Hens made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in history. In 2011, Christine became an assistant director for career services to guide student-athletes.

Like Christine, Jay became a coach after graduation and a mentor for student-athletes.

“We decided to stay (for three reasons) primarily. One was our church, one was our jobs, but a huge one was to stay a part of the Blue Hen community because we just loved it and we wanted that atmosphere for our family. It's just very special to us. Delaware has given us a lot and we want to help give back in any way that we can because it really means a lot. It's given us a lot,” Jay revealed.

Christine and Jay are so thankful for the opportunities and the experiences that UD has given them not only as students, but also after graduation. Their Blue Hen pride convinced them to stay in Delaware.

“For our kids to connect with the teams and to see the mentors and the athletes here, shows them what type of person you need to be to be a Blue Hen athlete. You have to be a good student, you have to be a good person, and you have to work hard. What better values can you teach your kids than having them around those types of people all the time,” said Jay.

The Mottas are especially grateful to have ingrained their two sons, Drew and Trent, into the Blue Hen community. Their kids are friends with the players and the coaches have adopted them as well. Drew and Trent also enjoy tagging along as their mom broadcasts women's basketball games. It's very special for their kids to make memories in the blue and gold just as their parents did.

Story written by Lauren Palermo, UD Athletics Communications Student Intern

University of Delaware Athletics

Captains, Champions, Coaches: Double Dels Christine and Jay Motta

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