University of Delaware to Debut Women’s Ice Hockey Team

The University of Delaware is launching its first NCAA women's ice hockey team. Their debut game, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. against LIU at the Fred Rust Ice Arena, marks a significant milestone for the school's hockey programs.

This new women's team was officially established in 2023 to meet Title IX requirements and expand the university's athletic offerings. The women's team complements the existing men's club hockey team, which was established in 1972.

Allison Coomey joins the University of Delaware as head coach of the women's team. Coomey brings extensive experience from serving as an assistant coach at Penn State and Boston University. 

The formation of the women's ice hockey program is the result of a feasibility study funded by the NHL and NHL Players' Association Industry Growth Fund. Upon launching, the women's ice hockey team will be part of a multitiered partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers.

"We have been studying the [Football Bowl Subdivision] transition, and a part of that was also adding a women's sport, and women's ice hockey made a tremendous amount of sense," Delaware athletic director Chrissi Rawak said. "I have to give Kevin [Westgarth, NHL vice president of hockey development and strategic collaboration] some credit here because he was the one that said what about a partnership with the Flyers. And honestly, it started from there."

Through the partnership, Delaware women's hockey players, as well as other Delaware students, will have access to career and professional development opportunities. They'll also have opportunities to participate in the Flyers Next Shift program, which was created to allow college-age women to shadow professional women throughout the Flyers organization on a game night.

Delaware will play its first 10 games of the season in Newark. Holy Cross, Penn State, Syracuse, and Robert Morris are all on Delaware's schedule.