University of Delaware Athletics
10/27/2026 1:25:00 PM | Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens,
It's hard to believe that we are already approaching conference championship season for many of our fall programs. Both of our soccer programs are currently undefeated in conference play with women's soccer set to host the CUSA tournament in early November, and men's soccer having the opportunity to do the same for The Summit League tournament (based on standings). Field hockey will have the opportunity to host the MPSF Championship on our brand new blue field at Rullo Stadium. I'm also looking forward to Homecoming on November 14, when our football team will take on FIU, and hope many of you will be able to join us for the game. Early November is shaping up to be fun around Newark!
Last weekend, we had the pleasure of welcoming back our 2016 field hockey team for a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of its National Championship. The group was recognized at our field hockey game on Friday evening, and then we hosted a celebration event in the Whitney Athletic Center. We had a replay of the national championship game going on in the background, and there were huge cheers when Greta Nauck scored the goal to give us the 3-2 lead, and we collectively held our breath in the final couple of minutes, as if everyone in the room wasn't sure we held on for the win. It was fun to get the group back together and get to see them all celebrate and reconnect, and talk about the legacy that group has left that will always continue to live on for Delaware field hockey. Then on Saturday, Greta Nauck, the national field hockey player of the year in 2016, was inducted into our Hall of Fame along with five other impressive Fightin' Blue Hens. It was a truly special night recognizing and celebrating their accomplishments with lots of good memories and Blue Hens gathering to commemorate their time at Delaware Athletics. You can hear Greta reflect on her time as a Blue Hen and the special 2016 team on our most recent episode of Fightin' Words.
Student-Athlete Mental Health Week was earlier this month, concluding on October 10, which was World Mental Health Day. Mental health support is a cause we care deeply about here at Delaware Athletics. We have three sport psychologists on staff and are proud to regularly be rated by student-athletes as amongst the best in the nation in mental health support. Since we opened the Whitney Athletic Center five years ago, our sport psychologists have completed over 6,600 hours of individual student-athlete sessions, and over 1,085 hours of team-focused sessions. Their support includes general counseling, mental performance, crisis counseling, collaborative nutrition support, harm reduction, and well-being sessions. Last week, our Student Athlete Advocacy Committee (SAAC) held a mental health fair, led by Josie Crossman from Delaware softball. The event featured speakers John Groth, former U.S. Air Force Chaplain and University of Delaware professor; Taylor Bertolet, mental performance coach and former professional football player; and Dr. Christine Jehu, University of Delaware Senior Sport Psychologist, who each shared insights on the importance of prioritizing mental health, building resilience, and supporting overall well-being both in and out of sport. Student-athletes also got to visit interactive stations featuring activities and resources that highlighted practical strategies for managing stress, developing healthy coping skills, and improving mental health. The event was completely student-athlete run, was very well attended, and was another great example of how incredible our students are, and how much they support each other. Next Tuesday, October 20 at 7 p.m. is our Conference USA Green Game for Mental Health Awareness in partnership with Hilinski's Hope as football takes on Missouri State. I hope you'll join me in cheering on our Blue Hens, who will display green ribbons for the game to show their advocacy for mental health support.
We appreciate all you do for UD.Â
Go Hens!
Jordan Skolnick
