CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) today announced the addition of the University of Delaware as an affiliate member in field hockey, beginning with the 2027-28 academic year.
“I am pleased to welcome the University of Delaware as an affiliate member in field hockey,” said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher. “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.”
Delaware field hockey has established itself as one of the nation’s most accomplished programs since beginning competition in 1971. The Blue Hens have captured 17 conference championships and made 17 NCAA/AIAW postseason appearances, highlighted by winning the 2016 NCAA Division I National Championship.
Delaware claimed 10 Coastal Athletic Association Tournament championships over a 12-season span from 2013 through 2024. The Blue Hens continued that success in 2025, winning the inaugural Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Field Hockey Championship with a 2-1 victory over UC Davis. It marked Delaware’s 11th conference championship in 14 seasons and its second consecutive league title.
The Blue Hens are led by head coach Tara Zollinger, who guided Delaware to a conference championship during her first season with the program in 2025. Prior to arriving in Newark, Zollinger led Shippensburg University to three NCAA Division II national championships and compiled a 118-25 record over seven seasons.
“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.”
“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,” Head Field Hockey Coach Tara Zollinger said. “This new home creates incredible opportunities for our student-athletes to compete against outstanding programs and challenge themselves at the highest level.”
The MAC field hockey membership has built a strong tradition of competitive excellence and NCAA postseason success. Miami captured the 2025 MAC Tournament Championship and earned the Conference’s automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The RedHawks made history in the postseason after topping No. 4 Virginia to advance to the NCAA Elite-8 for the first-time in program history.
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
Located in Newark, Delaware, the University of Delaware traces its roots to 1743 and is one of the nation’s oldest universities. UD is a land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant institution with more than 24,000 students enrolled across 10 colleges and schools. The University offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors and over 250 graduate and post-baccalaureate programs.
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.
Current full member MAC institutions include the University of Akron, Ball State University, Bowling Green State University, the University at Buffalo, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Kent State University, the University of Massachusetts, Miami University, Ohio University, the University of Toledo and Western Michigan University.
