It’s been 15 years since Wilmington University sports transitioned from NAIA to the more competitive NCAA Division II status, and the numbers indicate the move has been successful.
Back in 2004, the University fielded teams in nine sports: baseball, softball, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s basketball. Golf was added in 2007, and women’s tennis and women’s bowling came along in 2016. Men’s lacrosse was added in 2018, and men’s and women’s track and field debuted this year, for a total of 15.
WilmU served notice of its arrival in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) right away, with the volleyball team winning the Conference championship in the fall of 2004. Since then, Wilmington’s student-athletes have proved to be up to the challenge of Division II competition, winning 40 team championships, while 36 Wildcats have earned All-America honors.
During the decade-and-a-half of Division II membership, WilmU has been led by three athletics directors: Frank Aiello held the post until 2011, and Linda Van Drie-Andrzjewski served until February 2018, when Dr. Stefanie Whitby became director.
The CACC comprises 14 schools in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut.