University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 29, May 1

               Mary Ann Hitchens in Sports Hall of Fame
     
     Mary Ann Hitchens, associate director of athletics,
will be one of nine athletes inducted into the Delaware
Sports Hall of Fame May 8 at the DuPont Country Club.
     Hitchens, Delaware '67, '71M, has been a guiding force
in the formation and development of the Blue Hen women's
athletic program.
     At UD, she was field hockey coach for 16 seasons,
compiling a record of 196-76-30, with six national playoff
appearances from 1973-88. The 1978 Blue Hen team placed
second in the nation. She also served as Delaware's first
women's basketball coach, compiling a mark of 71-35 between
1971-78, with six postseason appearances.
     A member of the University's athletic staff since 1969,
Hitchens is in her eighth year as director of athletics and
has guided the women's 11-sport program that has produced
many nationally recognized teams.
     She recently completed two terms as president of the
North Atlantic Conference, now America East, becoming the
first woman to hold that post.
     Hitchens is the 31st person with UD ties-as either an
athlete, coach or administrator-to be inducted into the
Delaware Sports Hall of Fame.
     For information on the banquet, call Joe Ackerman at
654-2798.