University of Delaware Athletics
DELAWARE ATHLETICS MEDIA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Purpose & Credential Requirements
Media credentials (press and photography passes) issued by the University of Delaware Athletics Department are required for coverage of all Delaware Athletics events on the Delaware campus or at UD-managed events off-campus. This includes but is not limited to: regular-season and postseason competitions, scrimmages, practices, press conferences, and media availabilities.
Credentials are provided solely to working members of the media for the purpose of content creation that promotes editorial coverage of Delaware Athletics.
Credentials
• Do not guarantee access to any specific area
• Are non-transferable and revocable at Delaware’s sole discretion
• Must be always worn and visible during the event
All media access to University of Delaware coaches, student-athletes, administrators, and athletic facilities must be coordinated through the Delaware Communications & Creative Services Office. Unauthorized contact or attempts to bypass the Communications & Creative Services Office may result in credential revocation and restrictions on future access.
Admission to facilities and the issuance of credentials is strictly conditioned upon compliance with the terms, limitations, and professional standards established in these policies.
Unauthorized use, loaning, or transfer of credentials may result in immediate ejection, permanent revocation for the individual and outlet, and future credentialing restrictions.
Credential Applications
All credential requests must be submitted through the appropriate member of the Communications & Creative Services staff. A full list is below.
Ed LeFurge III - Assistant AD, Communications & Creative Services
Admin, Football, Spirit
lefurge@udel.edu
Ali Cucinotta - Director, Communications & Creative Services
M. Basketball, M. Soccer
alic@udel.edu
Brendan Thomas - Director, Communications & Creative Services
Ice Hockey, W. Lacrosse, Golf
brendant@udel.edu
Michael Riccio - Associate Director, Communications & Creative Services/Social Media Coordinator
Volleyball, Softball
mriccio@udel.edu
Eli Vaupen - Associate Director, Communications & Creative Services
W. Basketball, M. Lacrosse
evaupen@udel.edu
Nick Vuylsteke - Associate Director, Communications & Creative Services
W. Soccer, Baseball, Cross Country/Track & Field
nickv@udel.edu
Noah Barraclough - Assistant Director, Communications & Creative Services
Field Hockey, Tennis, Swimming & Diving, Rowing
noahcb@udel.edu
Limits
Each outlet is generally limited to four (4) working credentials per event:
• Two (2) Media (writers, editors, reporters)
• Two (2) Photo/Video (photographers, videographers)
All requests are subject to space limitations, safety considerations, and may be granted, modified, or denied at Delaware’s sole discretion.
Credential Eligibility
Credentials are issued to working media from recognized outlets whose primary business function is original sports reporting or editorial content. This includes:
• Newspapers, wire services, magazines
• Television and radio stations with sports coverage
• Online outlets with regular, substantial, original content
Online/Independent Media:
Online-only outlets must meet at least one of the following criteria:
• Affiliation with a national or regional media company
• Demonstrated, consistent coverage of Delaware Athletics with at least one full-time journalist producing original content
Exclusions
Credentials are not typically issued to:
• Aggregators or outlets primarily reposting content
• Fan blogs or message boards without regular editorial reporting
• Individuals operating solely through social media platforms (YouTube, X, Instagram, etc.) unless specifically approved by Delaware
• Outlets that record and post full media availabilities without producing editorial content
Freelancers
Freelancers must present proof of assignment from a recognized outlet to be considered.
Credential Priority
When space is limited, Delaware prioritizes as follows:
• Broadcast partners with contractual rights
• Daily local beat reporters from major media outlets
• National outlets providing regular Delaware coverage
• Student media (see student media section below)
• Eligible online-only outlets with full-time staff
Season Credentials
Season credentials will be granted to media members who cover Delaware Athletics on a regular basis.
Student Media
Full-time Delaware students who are part of recognized student media outlets (e.g., The Review, WVUD, etc.) may apply for credentials. All student media representatives are subject to the same professional expectations and policies as other credentialed media.
Other undergraduate students must be working for an approved media outlet and count toward that outlet’s credential allotment.
Delaware encourages student media to engage with the Communications & Creative Services staff and beat reporters to learn best practices and protocols.
Professional Conduct & Limitations
Credential holders must adhere to:
• Professional journalistic standards (e.g., SPJ Code of Ethics)
• Delaware policies including those specific to the venue, NCAA rules, and applicable laws
Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to:
• Seeking autographs or personal photos with Delaware student-athletes, coaches, or staff
• Soliciting or taking team-issued equipment or merchandise
• Recording or photographing in restricted areas (locker rooms, training rooms, private team spaces) without prior approval
All descriptions, accounts, photos, and video/audio recordings may only be used for news and editorial purposes. Secondary or commercial use (including for advertising, promotion, NFTs, or NIL-related content) is prohibited without prior written consent from Delaware.
Outlets are fully responsible, including indemnification to Delaware Athletics, for the behavior of their representatives.
Live streaming of events, in-game social media video posts, or live in-game updates beyond standard journalistic practice may be subject to restrictions in accordance with conference guidelines.
Assumption of Risk
Credential holders acknowledge and accept the inherent risks of covering live sporting events, including the risk of injury from participants, equipment, or objects entering spectator/media areas.
Revocation, Denial, and Policy Enforcement
Delaware Athletics reserves the right to:
• Approve, deny, or revoke credentials at its sole discretion
• Modify or cancel event credentials due to space, security, or policy violations
• Revoke credentials for behavior or content that violates University policy, conference or NCAA rules, or this credential policy
Football Field Access
Any media members approved for field access may remain on the field at any time during pregame or the game as long the following protocols are followed:
• Media members must always remain behind the yellow dotted line on the field
• Stay between the 20-yard-line and the endzone on both ends of the field, avoiding the team bench areas from the 20 to 20
• Media members looking to move from one end of the field to the must walk on the concourse ONLY
