University of Delaware Athletics
Delaware Accepts Invitation for Women’s Lacrosse to Join Atlantic Sun
7/17/2024 3:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware has accepted an invitation for women's lacrosse to join the Atlantic Sun effective July 1, 2025, both organizations announced jointly on Wednesday. Women's lacrosse becomes the third program to join the ASUN after both men's and women's swimming & diving was announced last week.
The Hens will join Austin Peay, Coastal Carolina, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Lindenwood, Queens and Stetson in the new nine-team league.
"I'm excited for women's lacrosse to be joining the Atlantic Sun," Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation Chrissi Rawak said. "The ASUN is a competitive conference and I'm excited for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to compete. I want to thank Commissioner Jeff Bacon and the athletic directors for affording us another opportunity to join the league."
Since its inception in 1978, Delaware women's lacrosse boasts three national championships, six conference titles, and 34 All-Americans. The program has finished ranked in the top-15 nationally in the final polls on 12 different occasions.
"This is an exciting time for our program," Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Amy Altig said. "Delaware is a special place and I'm excited to showcase that as we make our debut in the ASUN. The league has done a nice job putting together a competitive women's lacrosse conference and I can't wait for the Hens to be a part of it!"
During Altig's tenure, the Blue & Gold have made substantial strides. The 10 wins in 2024 are the most since 2016, a season after the Hens returned to the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2018. This past season, Madison Hranicka became the first postseason All-American since 2002 after setting the program records in modern era ground balls and caused turnovers.
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.
"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the University of Delaware, and to provide a home to their Women's Lacrosse coaches and student-athletes," ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon said. "Thank you again to Director Rawak for her belief in the Atlantic Sun Conference and we look forward to the 2026 season."
The Atlantic Sun Conference began sponsoring women's lacrosse in 2013 with its champion representing the league each season with an AQ to the NCAA Division I Tournament. Most recently, Coastal earned a bid after capturing its first conference title last spring.
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 2023-24 academic year, Blue Hens compiled a cumulative 3.313 grade-point average—the highest in department history, excluding academic terms impacted by COVID-19. This marked the 10th-consecutive year and the 21st-straight semester in which UD student-athletes have posted a 3.00 GPA or better.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware women's lacrosse, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
The Hens will join Austin Peay, Coastal Carolina, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Lindenwood, Queens and Stetson in the new nine-team league.
"I'm excited for women's lacrosse to be joining the Atlantic Sun," Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation Chrissi Rawak said. "The ASUN is a competitive conference and I'm excited for our student-athletes to have the opportunity to compete. I want to thank Commissioner Jeff Bacon and the athletic directors for affording us another opportunity to join the league."
Since its inception in 1978, Delaware women's lacrosse boasts three national championships, six conference titles, and 34 All-Americans. The program has finished ranked in the top-15 nationally in the final polls on 12 different occasions.
"This is an exciting time for our program," Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Amy Altig said. "Delaware is a special place and I'm excited to showcase that as we make our debut in the ASUN. The league has done a nice job putting together a competitive women's lacrosse conference and I can't wait for the Hens to be a part of it!"
During Altig's tenure, the Blue & Gold have made substantial strides. The 10 wins in 2024 are the most since 2016, a season after the Hens returned to the postseason in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2018. This past season, Madison Hranicka became the first postseason All-American since 2002 after setting the program records in modern era ground balls and caused turnovers.
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.
"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the University of Delaware, and to provide a home to their Women's Lacrosse coaches and student-athletes," ASUN Commissioner Jeff Bacon said. "Thank you again to Director Rawak for her belief in the Atlantic Sun Conference and we look forward to the 2026 season."
The Atlantic Sun Conference began sponsoring women's lacrosse in 2013 with its champion representing the league each season with an AQ to the NCAA Division I Tournament. Most recently, Coastal earned a bid after capturing its first conference title last spring.
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 2023-24 academic year, Blue Hens compiled a cumulative 3.313 grade-point average—the highest in department history, excluding academic terms impacted by COVID-19. This marked the 10th-consecutive year and the 21st-straight semester in which UD student-athletes have posted a 3.00 GPA or better.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
For the latest on Delaware women's lacrosse, follow the Blue Hens on X, Instagram, and like on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Women's LacrosseHighlight: WLAX 2024 Season Highlight
Thursday, May 23
Highlight: WLAX vs. Monmouth - 4/27/24
Tuesday, April 30
Highlight: WLAX (Senior Day) vs. Kent State - 2/25/24
Tuesday, February 27
Highlight: WLAX 2023 Season Highlight
Monday, June 05
