The University of Delaware has hired its first-ever women's ice hockey coach.
Allison Coomey is the new program's first coach and is tasked with building it for its first season in 2025-26.
Coomey came to UD as an assistant and associate head coach after seven seasons at Penn State and said he had a lot of day-to-day responsibilities teaching on the ice.
Joe Irizarry of Delaware Public Media interviews new UD women's hockey coach Allison Coomey.
She will begin her work in earnest this week, before getting familiar with UD's campus and hiring staff.
“Fortunately, I have the opportunity to go out there and get the word out, get the Delaware State logo out there, meet people, meet people on campus,” Coomey said. It's going to be about how the relationships work with the athletics community and the university as a whole, and then finding an assistant to help with all of that. ”
She also points out that the university's proximity to major airports is an advantage when it comes to recruiting players, particularly from Western Canada and Europe.
Coomey points out that this is not his first time participating in a new program. She was a Niagara player in Niagara women's ice hockey when her program first took to the ice, and believes that her experience will help her at UD.
She says it's an honor to be the Blue Hens' first women's ice hockey coach.
“Just being a head coach in general is something special, but to be the head coach of a new program and start from scratch and make your mark and make your mark at this facility is going to be great. Deaf,” Coomey said.
UD is also affiliated with the Philadelphia Flyers. Coomey said the Flyers are adding more than just their name to supporting development and community support.
