Final Meeting Report – UTEP Up Next PLUS Banquet News!
Coach Corico Wright (defensive pass game coordinator and
cornerbacks coach) led off the meeting speaking about team
discipline and how proud he was of the team in this regard.
Penalties like holding and pass interference calls are effort
penalties and tolerated while penalties such as unsportsmanlike
conduct and mental errors (motion, offsides, etc.) are not. Injuries
can have an effect on discipline as well and Coach Wright
detailed the loss of three of his eight cornerbacks to injury prior to
the start of the season. However, the veterans have stepped up
and the true freshmen have played well.
Women’s Head Basketball Coach, Sarah Jenkins, delighted
those in attendance with her infectious personality and great
sense of humor. Although in better shape than last year (down to
six players at one point), the injury bug has hit the team again this
year. One of last year’s starters, Ella Wanzer, broke her ankle
just prior to the start of the season and Ava Andrews (6-3 forward
who can dunk) is navigating a hip issue. The team also lost its
starting point guard, Kendall Scott, to an ACL tear.
Coach Jenkins told her audience that her team “can’t defend a
parked car” and makes too many mistakes. However, they are
extremely talented and she feels once certain improvements are
made they can compete for a CUSA championship.
Casey Macdonald, the Senior Associate Athletic Director for
Development, spoke to us about the Student Athlete Excellence
Fund which funds athletes through NIL dollars. NIL and revenue
sharing is hitting all sports and in order to attract and retain top
players money is needed through giving to this Fund.
Finally, Fred Rullo, UD Athletics Hall of Fame member and
generous benefactor to the university, told us numerous stories
about his football playing days under The Admiral, Dave Nelson.
From his days growing up in Chester, PA to his recruitment and
playing experience at UD, Fred contrasted the differences
between those days and the current day. Fred’s humorous
anecdotes kept the lunch crowd entertained and we are happy to
have Fred Rullo as a University of Delaware supporter!
NOTE: Annual Awards Banquet on Feb. 6, 2026. Details and register here:
BANQUET RESERVATIONS
