Delaware

Delaware State To Add A D1 Women’s Wrestling Program – FloWrestling

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2024

Delaware State To Add A D1 Women’s Wrestling Program – FloWrestling

Below is a press release from Delaware State about adding a Division I wrestling program. in the fall of 2025. Delaware State Hornets will be the fifth program to offer D1 women’s wrestling.

DOVER — HBCU Wrestling and Delaware State University (DSU) are proud to announce the historic launch of the first-ever Division I women’s wrestling program at an HBCU, a major milestone made possible by a generous $1.25 million gift from HBCU Wrestling. This initiative represents more than just an expansion in athletics; it is a commitment to equitable opportunities, reflecting both institutions’ dedication to creating pathways where student-athletes can thrive.

“The partnership with HBCU Wrestling gives our women student-athletes a platform to compete, grow, and inspire others. We are excited for this new chapter and the impact it will have for years to come,” said Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson, Director of Athletics.

The Delaware State University athletics department will immediately begin the search for a head coach. The first season for the women’s wrestling program is set to begin in the Fall 2025.

Founded in 2021, HBCU Wrestling has made it its mission to bring wrestling back to HBCUs, giving young athletes the chance to excel in sports while being empowered as leaders. This movement began with a $2.7 million gift to Morgan State University, leading to the revitalization of its wrestling program. With the launch of DSU’s women’s team, HBCU Wrestling continues its mission to increase representation and opportunity in collegiate sports.

Restoring Tradition, Advancing Equity

Delaware State University’s history in wrestling spans decades, and it was the last HBCU to offer a Division I wrestling program before it was discontinued in 2009 due to financial challenges. The closure of DSU’s program mirrored a broader trend, as many universities—both HBCUs and others—faced similar pressures that led to the elimination of wrestling programs nationwide. Now, with HBCU Wrestling’s strategic support, DSU is not only reviving its program but doing so in a way that aligns with Title IX standards and promotes gender equity. This new program opens the doors for DSU to develop a sustainable, competitive team where young women athletes can reach their full potential.

“This announcement is not only about wrestling; it’s about expanding access to life-changing opportunities,” said Jahi Jones, Executive Director of HBCU Wrestling. “At HBCU Wrestling, we’ve built a foundation that now allows young women to succeed, thrive, and lead while still being in an environment where they feel seen, valued, and loved. This program aligns with the incredible growth of women’s wrestling nationwide, and I look forward to a strong, lasting partnership with Delaware State University that will inspire and empower future generations.”

A New Era for HBCU Athletics

DSU President Tony Allen highlighted the significance of this partnership.

“Delaware State University is proud to take this historic step in advancing opportunities for women in sports,” said Tony Allen, President of DSU. “We’re also thankful for our partnership with HBCU Wrestling, which will give our student-athletes the tools and environment they need to grow and succeed. This program will be a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering growth, diversity, and excellence in athletics.”

Toccara Montgomery, the first Black woman to win a World Championship medal for the United States and to represent the U.S. in Olympic wrestling, shared her thoughts on the program “Seeing Delaware State launch the first-ever Division 1 women’s wrestling team at an HBCU is a powerful moment that feels like the realization of a dream. When I held a camp at DSU not long ago, I saw firsthand the excitement and potential in the athletic staff and community. This new program is more than just an opportunity—it’s a historic step forward that will inspire young women of color to chase their passions and know they belong at the highest levels of sport.”

As DSU’s women’s wrestling program begins, HBCU Wrestling remains focused on building a legacy of inclusion, competitive excellence, and community impact for years to come.

About Historically Black Colleges and Universities Wrestling Initiative:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Wrestling Initiative (HBCUW) seeks to establish and restore wrestling to America’s historically black colleges and universities and expand access to opportunities created by wrestling for the black community so as to advance social justice and produce black wrestlers and leaders who have the potential to change the trajectory of their families, community, and country. Through the establishment and restoration of wrestling programs at HBCUs, we aim to expand access to the invaluable life skills, networking opportunities, and career pathways that the sport offers.

About Delaware State University:

Delaware State University was founded in 1891 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its main location is in Dover, yet DSU offers courses throughout the state of Delaware. Learn more at www.desu.edu

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Delaware

Delaware public advocate pushes to extend PJM price cap

Published

11 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Delaware public advocate pushes to extend PJM price cap

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Delaware

Community members vow to fight closure of prison jobs program in Wilmington

Published

23 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Press Room

Community members vow to fight closure of prison jobs program in Wilmington

Community members vow to oppose Plummer Center closure

Correction officials say there is more opportunity for inmates to learn job skills at the Sussex Community Corrections Center in Georgetown than at Plummer.

“We have the auto body shops,” DOC Deputy Commissioner Shane Troxler told state lawmakers. “We have a power washing business. We teach them how to vehicle wrap. We’re teaching welding, aquaponics, construction, just the list goes on and on and on.”

DOC officials also say new laws and advancing technology allows prisoners to be released on ankle monitoring and to complete their sentence through house arrest.

Joint Finance Committee members state Sen. Darius Brown and state Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha, who both represent Wilmington, voiced their support for decommissioning the Plummer Center during the hearing.

But some Wilmington residents say it is a valuable resource that should be saved. Wilmington City Councilwoman Shané Darby held a community meeting earlier this week to try to build momentum among Wilmington residents to preserve the mission of the center.

“We live in Delaware,” Darby said. “Everybody knows each other. We’re like a half a degree of separation here. You probably know somebody who’s connected to [Gov.] Matt Meyer, who’s connected to a state representative. Or you could say, ‘Hey, I need you to tell Matt Meyer not to close this Plummer Center.’ And let’s have another conversation about keeping level IV in the city of Wilmington.”

Tim Santa Barbara, with Prison Outreach of Delaware, said he believes closing the Plummer Center will lead to more recidivism. He also went through the work-release program there.

“If you put guys from Wilmington down in Smyrna, and by some chance of God, they get a job, OK, great. I live on Fourth and Washington. How am I going to get to work at Smyrna? So what happened to the job? It’s gone. What do they do? They go right back to what they know. Imma sling. I’m gonna go sling and get mine, because they ain’t helping me.’”

Recidivism rates can vary based on how they’re calculated. According to the Council of State Governments Justice Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, Delaware’s recidivism rate as of April 2024, is 52%, down from 68% from 2008 when Congress passed the Second Chance Act to improve release outcomes.

Possibilities being considered for redeveloping the site

Some residents are also trying to pressure the state and the city of Wilmington to save the Plummer Center land as a community resource instead of allowing private developers to purchase the property.

The state’s plans for the site, once shuttered, are currently unclear. Gov Meyer’s office did not return a request for comment. A spokesperson for Wilmington Mayor John Carney said his office is not currently involved in any discussions about the Plummer Center.

WHA Executive Director Ray Fritzgerald said the agency and its nonprofit affiliate, Delaware Affordable Housing Group, are interested in developing affordable housing on the site. However, he said the DOC has not yet decided on a direction.

Wilmington resident Tony Dunn is a graduate of the Plummer Center after leaving prison in the late 1990s. He said this is another step in the gentrification of the city.

“This is an attack on poor people in general,” he said. “We had a community over there at Riverside. They tore the whole Black community down. These big developers are coming in here, destroying our families, destroying our livelihoods, all because of money.”

DOC Commissioner Taylor said during her budget presentation that the decommissioned Plummer Center could be used for shelter housing, for offering medical care and behavioral health services, or even turned into a local market.

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Delaware

DELAWARE SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER HOSTS SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING FOR DELAWARE SCHOOL CONSTABLES – State of Delaware News

Published

1 day ago

February 13, 2026

Press Room

DELAWARE SCHOOL SAFETY CENTER HOSTS SCHOOL SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING FOR DELAWARE SCHOOL CONSTABLES – State of Delaware News

(SMYRNA, DE) – The Delaware School Safety Center recently hosted a three-day School Security Officer (SSO) training for Delaware school constables at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency’s (DEMA) Emergency Operations Center. Held January 28–30, the training brought together more than 40 school constables from across the state for intensive, nationally recognized instruction focused on strengthening school safety practices.

The course, delivered through the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), was instructed by NASRO-certified trainers Rob Reyngoudt of Cortland, New York, and Joey Melvin, Executive Director of the Delaware School Safety Center at DEMA. Together, the instructors provided participants with both national best practices and Delaware-specific school safety perspectives.

The training emphasized the unique roles and responsibilities of School Security Officers and the importance of collaboration with school administrators and School Resource Officers.

Over the three days, participants received instruction in key areas including:

Roles and Responsibilities of School Security Officers
Building effective relationships with school administrators and SROs
Effective communication and supporting student well-being
Adolescent brain development, violence, and victimization
Social media awareness and cyber safety
Legal considerations for school security officers
Understanding and supporting students with special needs
Emergency Operations Planning and threat response
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

This training supports Delaware’s continued commitment to professionalizing school security roles and ensuring school constables are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and best practices necessary to help maintain safe, secure, and supportive learning environments for students and staff statewide.

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