In October 2021, Augustana University announced that it will be home to the Viking Men’s Hockey program — set to take the ice in the fall of 2023. The public announcement came during a groundbreaking ceremony on AU’s campus for the program’s new Midco Arena. The hockey program, which will compete at the NCAA Division I level, will be the Vikings’ 23rd collegiate sport and first of its kind in South Dakota.
The student section in Midco Arena will be named the Delman Family Student Section in celebration of Eric ‘77 and Danae (Smith) Delman ‘77.
“Getting to help the program come to fruition, with a sport we just love — we can’t wait to see it progress and become a contender,” Eric said.
The couple is excited to support the upcoming hockey program given their deep connections to AU. Eric majored in aviation administration, and Danae in deaf education and special education. In 2018 and 2021, the Delmans generously contributed to the Augie Access program — a post-secondary comprehensive transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, Eric’s parents, Edith (Mortenson) ‘41 and Ed Delman, were generous supporters of the Edith Mortenson Center on Augustana’s campus.
Danae served as a teacher at schools for the deaf, long-time volunteer and member of the Augustana Board of Trustees. Eric served as president of the family business, Alexandria Lighting & Supply in Alexandria, Virginia, before selling the company in 2019. The couple have three children, the second of whom played hockey from the peewee league to the end of his high school career. After falling in love with the sport, Eric and Danae held season tickets for the Washington Capitals in Washington, D.C., for more than 30 years.
“I still can't believe how fast the sport is and how these players maneuver on skates,” Eric said. “It’s also one of the few sports around that, at the end of a tournament, they get in line and shake hands with each other. It is very unique to the sport.”
Having watched other universities in the Midwest develop successful hockey programs, the Delmans are excited to help bring one to AU.
“Being able to go see some Division I (DI) hockey will be fabulous, and especially at the alma mater, it can’t get too much better than that,” said Eric.
For more information on how to contribute to the program, visit augielink.com/hockey.
Learn more about other Viking Men's Hockey and Midco Arena donors: