University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Men's Lacrosse to Join Atlantic 10
5/21/2024 4:00:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware will join the Atlantic 10 for men's lacrosse, effective July 1, 2025, both organizations announced Tuesday. The Blue Hens become the league's seventh men's lacrosse team joining the University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph's University, and affiliate members High Point University, Hobart College, and University of Massachusetts.
"This is a very exciting opportunity for our men's lacrosse program," Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation Chrissi Rawak said. I'd like to thank Commissioner McGlade and the athletic directors in the Atlantic 10 for the opportunity to join the league. We are committed to competing for championships in men's lacrosse and the A-10 will be a terrific fit for us and our goals."
No stranger to the national scene, Delaware has appeared in the NCAA Tournament eight times, including back-to-back appearances in 2022 and 2023. The program's 76-year history was highlighted by a trip to the NCAA semifinals in 2007 and a 10-9 upset victory over No. 2-ranked Georgetown in the first round of the 2022 tournament to advance to the quarterfinals.
"The University of Delaware has appreciated our 23 seasons in the CAA immensely," said Delaware men's lacrosse head coach Ben DeLuca. "As we conclude our tenure in the CAA following the upcoming 2025 season, we look forward to a new and exciting chapter for our program in the Atlantic 10 Conference," DeLuca continued. "The A-10 features several very competitive, nationally ranked teams and a few familiar opponents. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited for the future of our program."
The Blue & Gold's storied history dates back to its inaugural 1948 season. Since then, the program has amassed 24 conference titles with three consecutive regular season CAA crowns from 2021 to 2023 and back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023.
Throughout its 76-year history, the program boasts 73 All-America selections and has produced 11 professional players including the likes of Tye Kurtz, Charlie Kitchen, Curtis Dickson, Owen Grant, Matt DeLuca and John Grant Jr.
Delaware will remain in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) through the 2024-25 school year and will be eligible for both a league title and NCAA postseason competition.
"Delaware's men's lacrosse program has a long history, highlighted by 76 years of success and eight NCAA Tournament appearances," stated Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. "They will be a great addition to Atlantic 10 men's lacrosse."
Throughout its history, Delaware has played 45 games against A-10 opponents with a combined 41 contests against Saint Joseph's and UMass. The Hawks and Minutemen were Delaware's most recent Atlantic 10 opponents having faced both teams back in 2021.
The University of Delaware's academic programs are among the nation's best and its research classification places the University in the top 3% of all U.S. universities and colleges. Announced in September, UD ranks No. 76 among national universities and No. 36 nationally among public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024 Best Colleges rankings. In addition, the 2024 edition of Best Graduate Schools, U.S. News and World Report has ranked 22 University of Delaware graduate programs among the best in the nation including 10 in the top 50. UD Is also a top-50 university in the U.S. for veterans and active-duty military.
UD's outstanding academic reputation also translates to UD Athletics and UD student-athletes who complement their athletic success with strong academic performances. In the 2022-23 academic year, Blue Hens compiled a cumulative 3.286 grade-point-average—the highest in department history, excluding academic terms impacted by COVID-19. This marked the ninth-consecutive year and the 19th-straight semester in which UD student-athletes have posted a 3.00 GPA or better.
About the Atlantic 10 Conference
The Atlantic 10 Conference was founded in 1975 and consists of 15 diverse members across nine states and Washington, D.C. The mission of the Atlantic 10 is to provide an enhanced student-athlete experience through 22 nationally competitive championship sports. The basketball-centric conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for its student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. The membership consists of Davidson College, the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, Loyola University Chicago, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph's University, Saint Louis University and Virginia Commonwealth University. For more information, visit www.atlantic10.com.
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