Delaware State Makes History by Adding Division I Women's Wrestling
- Delaware State will add Division I women's wrestling, supported by a $1.25 million contribution from the HBCU Wrestling Initiative.
- The program is set to start competing in the 2025-26 school year, aligning with women's wrestling's transition to NCAA championship status.
- This is a significant development for historically Black institutions and could lead to more programs in the future.
Delaware State announced plans to add Division I women's wrestling, making it the first historically Black institution to do so. The initiative is supported by the HBCU Wrestling Initiative, which contributed $1.25 million for its launch. The program aims to begin competition in the 2025-26 school year, coinciding with women's wrestling's expected elevation to NCAA championship status. The growth in girls' wrestling at the high school level further emphasizes the significance of this decision. With Delaware State joining Morgan State, which added men's wrestling in 2023-24, there is hope for wider adoption of the sport among other HBCUs. The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics is advocating for women's wrestling to become an officially recognized championship sport, with a vote scheduled for January. This move by Delaware State aligns with the national growth of women's wrestling, highlighted by Team USA's recent success at the Summer Olympics.