Gamers can now select the Delaware Blue Hens as a team in EA Sports College Football 26.

Delaware Dynasty

Article by UDaily staff Images courtesy of Delaware Athletics and Mike Corey July 17, 2025

Blue Hens prepare for exciting first season in Conference USA, FBS with EA Sports College Football 26

A new era is dawning for Blue Hens athletics since the University of Delaware entered Conference USA and plans for its FBS football debut.

The move propelled UD into the national spotlight with the highly anticipated release of EA Sports College Football 26 — a video game where players control and compete against current Division 1 FBS college teams. This year, Delaware is just one of two new programs featured in the latest edition, and fans are eager to once again take control of their favorite teams, coaches and student-athletes.

Coinciding with the game’s July 10 release, UD Athletics launched an exciting “Dynasty Challenge,” inviting fans to take the reins and lead the Blue Hens to a College Football Playoff National Championship — with the chance to win exclusive prizes.

The campaign has generated national buzz, drawing coverage from Sports Illustrated, Front Office Sports and Bleacher Report, and widespread attention from top video game streamers and notable social media influencers and video game streamers.

Fans who think they have what it takes to lead the Blue Hens to a national title can enter the Delaware Football Dynasty Challenge by following the steps below:

Build your Blue Hens dynasty in EA Sports College Football 26
Win the College Football Playoff National Championship
Submit the following:
- A video of the Blue Hens hoisting the National Championship trophy
- A screenshot of your final season or playoff results
- A short reaction video showing your celebration after winning it all
Complete the entry form and upload all materials by Aug. 28 at 7:00 PM ET

The grand prize is a VIP gameday experience at Delaware Stadium, including on-field and club access for a home game of your choice, plus a Blue Hen Coaches Gear Prize Pack.

No purchase is necessary to enter; the challenge is open to all fans ages 18 and older. The winner will be selected based on creativity, authenticity, and passion for the Blue Hens. For any questions, please reach out to BlueHensMarketing@udel.edu.

Blue Hen connection

Delaware’s connection to EA Sports goes way beyond the game. UD alumnus Larry Probst served as CEO of Electronic Arts (EA) from 1991-2007; he was then chairman of EA from 2013-2014. Probst, who graduated in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, joined EA in 1984 having started his business career at Johnson & Johnson and then Clorox before entering the video game industry in 1982 with Activision.

Probst also spent a decade as board chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) from 2008-2018. In 2013, he was co-opted onto the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

During his remarks at the commencement speaker at UD’s Winter Commencement in 2013, Probst said, “When I left (UD) 40 years ago, I had no idea what I wanted to do. The video game industry, where I spent the majority of my business career, did not exist.”

UD alumnus Lawrence (Larry) F. Probst III delivered the address at UD’s 2013 Winter Commencement. At the time, Probst was chair of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

While family and friends questioned his sanity for leaving a promising career in consumer products to sell video games, Probst said he was attracted by a group of people he found to be “incredibly bright and compelling.”

“I was 34 years old when I joined Electronic Arts as the vice president of sales, and the rest is history,” Probst said.

ESPN+ preview

Delaware head coach Ryan Carty and two members of the football team — running back Jo Silver and linebacker Dillon Trainer — will participate in the 2025 Conference USA Football Kickoff and Media Day on Tuesday, July 22, at the Home of the PGA of America in Frisco, Texas. Tune in at 11 a.m. on ESPN+ to catch the Blue Hens live with ESPN’s Mike Corey.

Corey’s connections to the Blue Hens also run deep. He began his professional career right after graduating from college as he was hired to be the Voice of the Delaware Blue Hens, a position he held from 1999-2012. In the spring of 2022, Corey became an instructor in UD’s Department of Communication, teaching a class on sportscasting.