University of Delaware Athletics
Field Hockey Accepts Invitation to Join the Mid-American Conference in 2027
8/6/2026 11:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
CLEVELAND – The University of Delaware has accepted an invitation to join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as an affiliate member for field hockey beginning with the 2027-28 academic year, the organizations announced jointly on Thursday. Field hockey becomes the second Fightin' Blue Hens program to compete in the MAC, joining rowing, which started in the 2025-26 academic year.
"We are excited to continue our partnership with the MAC and be able to join in field hockey," Director of Athletics & Campus Recreation Jordan Skolnick said. "I'm grateful to the MAC Presidents and Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher for affording us the opportunity to join such a strong conference and further our commitment to an extraordinary student-athlete experience and championship aspirations for our field hockey program."
A program with rich tradition and history, Delaware enters the MAC after claiming 11 league titles in the last 14 seasons. Overall, UD has won 17 league crowns since the program's inception in 1971. The Blue & Gold have appeared in 17 NCAA/AIAW Tournament appearances, highlighted by a NCAA National Championship in 2016. This will mark the fifth conference affiliation in the program's 54-year history.
"I am pleased to welcome the University of Delaware as an affiliate member in field hockey," MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher said. "Delaware brings a nationally recognized program with an outstanding tradition of championship success. Its addition further strengthens an already competitive field hockey conference while expanding our valued partnership with the institution."
Field hockey is led by second-year head coach Tara Zollinger and welcomes back a strong roster in 2026, highlighted by four all-conference selections from 2025, including Sarah Rigual who spent time with the US U-21 National Team this past summer.
"We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to join a league with such a rich tradition in field hockey. I want to thank the MAC presidents and Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher," Zollinger said. "This new home creates incredible opportunities for our student-athletes to compete against outstanding programs and challenge themselves at the highest level."
University of Delaware Athletics and Campus Recreation
Located in Newark, Delaware, University of Delaware Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation sponsors 22 varsity sports and three spirit teams. Aiming to achieve excellence together, the department boasts a storied history of 543 All-Americans, 172 team conference titles, 282 individual conference crowns, and 10 national championships. Fourteen of UD's 22 varsity programs are housed in Conference USA, with eight others joining as affiliate members in the Atlantic Sun (women's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming & diving), Atlantic 10 (men's lacrosse), Mid-American Conference (rowing, field hockey in 2027), The Summit League (men's soccer), and Atlantic Hockey America (ice hockey), and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (field hockey). The Fightin' Blue Hens' student-athletes have achieved a 3.0 GPA or better in 25-consecutive semesters, including its best year ever in 2024-25 at 3.41.
Mid-American Conference
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
"We are excited to continue our partnership with the MAC and be able to join in field hockey," Director of Athletics & Campus Recreation Jordan Skolnick said. "I'm grateful to the MAC Presidents and Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher for affording us the opportunity to join such a strong conference and further our commitment to an extraordinary student-athlete experience and championship aspirations for our field hockey program."
A program with rich tradition and history, Delaware enters the MAC after claiming 11 league titles in the last 14 seasons. Overall, UD has won 17 league crowns since the program's inception in 1971. The Blue & Gold have appeared in 17 NCAA/AIAW Tournament appearances, highlighted by a NCAA National Championship in 2016. This will mark the fifth conference affiliation in the program's 54-year history.
"I am pleased to welcome the University of Delaware as an affiliate member in field hockey," MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher said. "Delaware brings a nationally recognized program with an outstanding tradition of championship success. Its addition further strengthens an already competitive field hockey conference while expanding our valued partnership with the institution."
Field hockey is led by second-year head coach Tara Zollinger and welcomes back a strong roster in 2026, highlighted by four all-conference selections from 2025, including Sarah Rigual who spent time with the US U-21 National Team this past summer.
"We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to join a league with such a rich tradition in field hockey. I want to thank the MAC presidents and Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher," Zollinger said. "This new home creates incredible opportunities for our student-athletes to compete against outstanding programs and challenge themselves at the highest level."
University of Delaware Athletics and Campus Recreation
Located in Newark, Delaware, University of Delaware Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation sponsors 22 varsity sports and three spirit teams. Aiming to achieve excellence together, the department boasts a storied history of 543 All-Americans, 172 team conference titles, 282 individual conference crowns, and 10 national championships. Fourteen of UD's 22 varsity programs are housed in Conference USA, with eight others joining as affiliate members in the Atlantic Sun (women's lacrosse, men's and women's swimming & diving), Atlantic 10 (men's lacrosse), Mid-American Conference (rowing, field hockey in 2027), The Summit League (men's soccer), and Atlantic Hockey America (ice hockey), and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (field hockey). The Fightin' Blue Hens' student-athletes have achieved a 3.0 GPA or better in 25-consecutive semesters, including its best year ever in 2024-25 at 3.41.
Mid-American Conference
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
Players Mentioned
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