CAA Title IX Pioneers - Delaware's Mary Ann Hitchens
Rob Washburn
In celebration of the 50
th Anniversary of Title IX, the Colonial Athletic Association is proud to honor women’s athletics pioneers from each of its 10 member institutions. These amazing women paved the way for the growth of women’s athletics programs around the conference.
Mary Ann Hitchens, Delaware (1969-2006)
A pioneer in the growth of the University of Delaware's women's athletics program, Mary Ann Hitchens enjoyed outstanding success during a 37-year tenure with the Blue Hens as a nationally respected multi-sport coach and administrator.
Hitchens joined the UD athletics staff in 1969 as freshman coach of the women's basketball team. She was named head varsity coach the following year and led the squads to a combined record of 71-35 and six regional championship appearances. She was named head coach of field hockey in 1973 and led the team to a 16-year record of 196-76-30, which included three conference titles and six national championship playoff appearances.
Hitchens served on the ECAC Executive Council from 1983-86, received the ECAC Distinguished Service Award in 1992 and the ECAC Katherine Ley Award in 2000. She also served two terms as president of the North Atlantic Conference, becoming the first woman to hold that post. In 1994, she received UD's E. Arthur Trabant Award for Women's Equity, and the NAGWS Pathfinder Award for the state of Delaware.
Hitchens came to UD as a student in 1963, when intercollegiate athletics opportunities for women did not exist there. She received undergraduate (1967) and graduate degrees (1971) from UD. Involved in athletics administration from the beginning, she served as Chair of the Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Council, Coordinator of Women's Athletics, Assistant Director of Athletics, Associate Director and Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation Services. She was the NCAA Senior Woman Administrator from 1977 until her retirement in 2006.