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Amy Altig
Amy Altig was named the seventh coach in University of Delaware women's lacrosse program history on June 3, 2019.
Altig comes to Newark following nine seasons at Penn State University, where she spent time as an assistant coach and most recently as the program's associate head coach.
"We are excited to have Amy Altig join our Blue Hen family," remarked Bob Lopez, Associate Athletics Director for Sport Administration. "In addition to bringing a wealth of experience as a player and coach at the highest levels, we are most excited about the growth and development that she will deliver to our program and student-athletes. Coach Altig is a relentless recruiter and her desire to win is only outdone by her desire to provide our student-athletes with an exceptional experience. From a field filled with tremendous candidates, her experience and successes allowed her to rise to the top."
Delaware followed up Altig's first full season even better in 2023, once again qualifying for the CAA Tournament and winning eight games, finishing 4-3 in conference play. They had their most wins since 2018, their best record since 2017, their best CAA record since 2017, and their best record at home since 2018. Madison Hranicka was named CAA Defensive Player of the Year, the second Blue Hen ever to receive the honor, along with All-CAA First Team and IWLCA All-Region First-Team honors. Delaney McDaniel followed up her Rookie of the Year season with a First-Team All-Conference season, while Lizzie Yurchak was named Second-Team All-Conference. Morgan Gore and McKenzie Didio both were named to the CAA All-Rookie Team. Their five All-Conference selections were their most since 2017, their two First-Team selections were their most since 2019, and their two All-Rookie selections were their most since 2017. Hranicka set a program record for draw controls in a season with 50, the fourth CAA player ever with 50 in a season, and tied the single-game program record for caused turnovers with seven. As a team. Delaware set a new program record with 26 draw controls in a season with 40 and for a single game with 26 when they played Old Dominion on Feb. 25. Yurchak gained national recognition when she received IWLCA Co-National Player of the Week after scoring six goals in an overtime, come-from-behind win over Monmouth. Delaware had four players earn CAA Defensive Player of the Week awards, the most in the conference in 2023, and led the CAA in caused turnovers per game, draw controls per game, and free-position percentage. During the final weekend against Towson, Delaware defeated the Tigers 13-9 to clinch a CAA Tournament berth, holding Towson to their lowest goal total in CAA play that season. Delaware had their RPI increase from 67 in 2022 to 48 in 2023. The +19 increase was the second largest in CAA and one of 19 teams with an RPI increase of +19 or better.
After back-to-back seasons cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, Altig's squad qualified for the CAA Conference Tournament in 2022, their first postseason appearance since 2018. Delaney McDaniel earned CAA Rookie of the Year honors for her season, the first for Delaware since 2012, while Madison Hranicka was named to the CAA First-Team. The Blue Hens also brought in transfers Lizzie Yurchak. who scored 21 goals with seven assists, and Sydni Rosa, who scored 18 goals and was named to the CAA All-Tournament team. Danielle Livornese also set the single-season draw control record, while McDaniel had the most assists in a freshman season in UD history. The Blue Hens defeated No. 18 nationally ranked Temple on the road on March 11, their first win over a ranked opponent since 2017. Maddie Maio was named to the IWLCA Division I Senior All-Star North Team. Delaware also received IWLCA Academic Honors for having a team GPA of at least 3.2 for the academic year, while 12 Blue Hens placed on the Academic Honor Roll for having a 3.50 GPA for the academic year as a junior, senior, or graduate student.
With Altig on the sidelines, the Nittany Lions garnered 111 wins at a clip of .631 with seven NCAA Tournament appearances and two trips to the NCAA Tournament Final Four. Prior to her time at PSU, Altig held assistant coaching stints at Princeton University (2007-10) and the University of Richmond (2005-07).
"It is a true honor and privilege to be named the women's lacrosse head coach at the University of Delaware," Altig exclaimed. "The University of Delaware offers the complete student-athlete experience with exceptional academics, nationally competitive athletics and amazing community support. I am very excited to get back to the CAA and to work with this dedicated and talented group of young women.
Altig continued, "I would like to thank Chrissi Rawak and Bob Lopez in addition the rest of the athletics staff for the opportunity to lead the Blue Hens women's lacrosse program to new heights. The Unviersity of Delaware has a special family atmosphere, and this is something I was immediately drawn to and cannot wait to be a part of. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for my family and I and we could not be more thrilled to get started. I would also like to thank Penn State University, women's lacrosse head coach Missy Doherty and the women's lacrosse program for nine amazing years that have prepared me for this next chapter in my career. The experiences, relationships and memories built at Penn State will last us for a lifetime and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to represent the blue and white."
Altig worked mainly with the Nittany Lion goalkeepers and defensive unit. During her tenure, she coached 19 All-Americans, 36 All-Region performers, 40 All-Conference selections in addition to more than 25 student-athletes who received academic honors. Additionally, PSU boasted three Conference Goalkeepers of the Year under Altig's guidance.
After helping Penn State to a third NCAA quarterfinal appearance in four years in 2015, Altig was named IWLCA Assistant Coach of the Year and was inducted to the U.S. Lacrosse Virginia Chapter Hall of Fame.
As a goalkeeper at James Madison University from 2001-05, Altig led the Dukes to two Colonial Athletic Association titles, was a two-time All-CAA pick and was selected to the North/South STX Senior All-Star Game. A two-time team captain, she also saw a spot on the 2004 CAA All-Tournament Team and still ranks in the Top 12 of three career statistical categories at JMU.
Altig became a playing member of the USA National Team in 2003 and was part of the 2009 USA World Cup Training Team and 2008 USA Prague Touring Team. She also served as a field coach for USA Tryouts from 2015-17. Since 2017, Altig has been the defensive coordinator/goalkeepers coach for the USA National Team.
A native of Millersville, Md., Altig earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a concentration in sports management from James Madison in 2005. She and her wife, Megan, have a daughter, Ava, and a son, Brooks.
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