A pioneer in the growth of the University of Delaware's women's athletics program, Hitchens enjoyed great success as a coach and continued to gain notice as a nationally-respected administrator. A native of Milford, Delaware, Hitchens posted a record of 71-35 with six post-season appearances in basketball and recorded a 16-year mark of 196-76-30 in field hockey that included six national playoff appearances, including a second place AIAW national finish in 1978. During her tenure, she coached nine All-Americans and was East Coast Conference Coach of the Year four times. A 1967 and 1969 graduate of Delaware, Hitchens served two terms as president of the America East Conference from 1992-94 and was the first woman to hold that post. She was inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
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