Exciting week ahead

"The Route 1 Rivalry" kicks off this week. After over 80 years of refusing to play Delaware State, the first ever regular season match-up between the two has become quite possibly the biggest marketing campaign Delaware sports has seen in recent history. Rightfully so, I suppose. I do find it ironic that the University is trying to capitalize on a game that they described as "not worth-while" to them for the greater part of a century.
The anticipation is there, though. And, it's great to see President Patrick Harker and new AD Bernard Muir embracing it. Check out my cohort Matt Water's piece on the rivalry in this week's issue of the Review, which comes out tomorrow.
Let's not forget that Delaware has been playing Del. State in every other sport for decades now, and the "Route 1 Rivalry" will really kick off Friday night when the women's soccer team takes on the Hornets at Delaware mini-stadium. The five o'clock match-up will precede an anticipated volleyball meeting with North Carolina. The Hens volleyball squad is stepping outside of the CAA to take on an ACC school. Bonnie kenney's team considers themselves to be an elite mid-major. Their match-up with the Tar Heels serves as proof.
Lets not forget Saturday morning before the big game. Hens fans get to cheer on the Delaware cross country team on their own turf. The Delaware Invitational kicks off with the women at 10:30 AM.
The Review sports staff is looking forward to it all. Check into udreview.com and the chicken scratch sports blog for updates.