Dear UD Community,

On behalf of the entire University of Delaware, I want to congratulate our Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams for winning the Colonial Athletic Association Championships and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. This is truly an extraordinary moment, as it marks the first time in UD history that both teams have reached this level of competition in the same season. Thank you to all the fans who attended the games and to the UD Pep Band and spirit teams who created such a great atmosphere. Well done, Blue Hens!

Both teams begin the tournament on Friday, with the men’s team playing Villanova University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and the women’s team taking on the University of Maryland in College Park, Md. UD is one of only 24 universities with both teams in the tournament, and we are only one of five to have both teams automatically qualify by winning their conference championships. More information about cheering on the Blue Hens is here.

Our whole community can be proud of these accomplishments because they demonstrate so many of UD’s greatest qualities: teamwork, resilience, commitment to excellence and more. Not only do our student-athletes live out these values through their dedication to their sport, but I see the same drive among all students in their pursuit of knowledge, among our faculty members in their advancement of scholarly achievement, and among our staff members in their unwavering service to the University. Amid the many challenges we have faced recently, this exciting reminder of UD’s strengths is especially energizing and inspiring for all of us.

Please join my wife, Eleni, and me in wishing our Blue Hens the best of luck in the NCAA Tournament!

Go Hens!