Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens is a sports department that brings together 21 university teams. Teams represent the University of Delaware at intercollegiate competitions. Players compete in the NCAA Division I. Since 2001, they have been participating in the Colonial Athletic Association, winning almost every championship. The name Blue Hens is associated with the same breed of chickens bred for cockfights. This bird is considered one of the main symbols of the state of Delaware. And it is also used as a mascot of the university and is depicted on almost all sports logos.
Meaning and History
The first emblem, adopted in 1939, resembled an advertising sign. She looked like a blue canvas in a decorative frame. Inside was a white chicken with four small chickens. In the upper corner was the inscription “The Blue Hens,” decorated with monograms and curls. In 1955, the team acquired an abstract logo. Designers emphasized the letter “D” to denote the native state of the university. Two colors were chosen for decoration: blue (primary) and yellow (thin outline).
In 1967, the era of the fighting rooster began. At first, he was drawn to his full height, but then they decided to depict only his head. This made it possible to supplement the emblem with other elements: a capital letter “D” (1987-1988), a yellow ring with the inscription “University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens” (1999-2008) and the monogram “UD” (since 2009).
1939 – 1954
1955 – 1966
1967 – 1986
1987 – 1998
1999 – 2008
2009 – today
Delaware Blue Hens Basketball
The men’s basketball team participated in several tournaments but won only once – in the 2014 CAA Tournament. The women were more fortunate: they won twice at the CAA conference with a score of 18-0. Also, Fightin’ Blue Hens athletes became NCAA champions in 2012 and competed seven times in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.