TROY, N.Y. — The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Department of Athletics has announced that longtime women's lacrosse head coach Leslie DeLano will transition into athletics administration as Manager of Administrative Operations, while Erica Blubaugh has been elevated to serve as Acting Head Coach of the RPI women's lacrosse program.

DeLano moves into her new role following more than two decades of leadership within the women's lacrosse program, including a tenure as head coach that established her as the winningest coach in program history. As Manager of Administrative Operations, DeLano will provide direct support to RPI Director of Athletics Dr. Kristie Bowers while working across several strategic areas within the department.

"Leslie DeLano has devoted more than two decades to RPI, shaping our women's lacrosse program and mentoring student-athletes and fellow coaches," said Bowers. "Her experience, relationships, and commitment to student success will serve our entire athletics department as she moves into this leadership role within our administration. We are deeply grateful for her commitment to building a strong legacy of women's lacrosse at RPI."

In her new position, DeLano will collaborate with RPI's Office of Alumni Engagement to develop and execute athletics alumni engagement opportunities aligned with the vision of both areas. She will also work alongside coaches and the Athletic Director on annual engagement initiatives, including alumni games, anniversary and milestone celebrations, Institute-related fundraising travel, and the Athletic Alumni Council. DeLano will additionally assist the Athletic Director and other senior athletics staff members with special projects designed to advance the short- and long-term goals of the department and Institute.

"Coaching the Engineers has been one of the great privileges of my life, and it is difficult to put into words what the past 25 years have meant to me," said DeLano. "While stepping away from the daily role of head coach is certainly bittersweet, I am incredibly excited for this next chapter. In my new role, I will have the opportunity to continue serving RPI Athletics and supporting our student-athletes and programs in a broader capacity. Erica brings tremendous energy, experience, and care for our student-athletes to this role, and I have complete confidence in her ability to lead the program."

DeLano became RPI's head women's lacrosse coach in 2003 and proceeded to take the Engineers to unprecedented heights. She accumulated a 142-117-1 career record, setting the program standard for coaching victories while mentoring 48 All-League honorees and 96 conference All-Academic selections.

The most successful stretch in program history came from 2011 through 2014, when RPI recorded four consecutive double-digit win seasons and captured three straight Liberty League Tournament championships. The 2012 Engineers finished 16-2, won the Liberty League regular-season and tournament titles, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. DeLano was subsequently named Liberty League Coach of the Year.

RPI matched its program-record 16 victories in 2013, repeating as Liberty League regular-season and tournament champion before producing the deepest NCAA Tournament run in program history. The Engineers won their first two NCAA contests before advancing to the national quarterfinals. RPI followed with another championship campaign in 2014, going a perfect 9-0 in Liberty League play, capturing a third consecutive conference tournament crown, and returning to the NCAA Tournament.

Blubaugh assumes leadership of the Engineers after joining RPI with collegiate coaching experience spanning several NCAA programs. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach at Marist University following three seasons at Williams College, where she worked primarily with the Ephs' draw unit and goalkeepers.

"We are excited to elevate Erica Blubaugh as acting head coach," said Bowers. "Erica brings a strong record of player development, recruiting, and coaching leadership, along with a commitment to supporting student-athletes academically and athletically. We are confident in her ability to build on the foundation Leslie has established and lead our women's lacrosse program forward."

During Blubaugh's tenure at Williams, the Ephs produced multiple conference and regional award recipients while competing in the highly competitive NESCAC. In her first season with the program, Williams finished 10-6 overall and 5-5 in conference play, earning a berth in the NESCAC Tournament while recording victories over nationally ranked Colby and Bowdoin. Her student-athletes went on to receive All-NESCAC and Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association regional recognition during her time on staff.

Prior to Williams, Blubaugh spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Juniata College, serving as the program's defensive coordinator. She helped engineer a defensive unit that allowed the fewest goals in program history and coached five All-Conference selections along with the 2021 Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year. The 2022 Juniata squad recorded the best overall and conference records in program history, while Blubaugh was part of the Landmark Conference Coaching Staff of the Year.

Blubaugh began her collegiate coaching career at Chowan University, where her responsibilities included recruiting, game strategy, individual skill development, and conditioning. She also served as head coach of the institution's men's and women's cross country programs.

"I am incredibly excited to step into this role, and I'd like to thank Leslie DeLano and Dr. Kristie Bowers for this opportunity," said Blubaugh. "RPI lacrosse has a long history of success, and I am honored to lead the program as it begins its next chapter. I am thrilled to work with our student-athletes, and to coach and mentor them as they pursue academic and athletic excellence."

A graduate of Bridgewater College, Blubaugh was a two-time captain as a student-athlete and helped the Eagles reach the Old Dominion Athletic Conference playoffs for the first time in 12 years. During her senior season, Bridgewater produced the best campaign in program history and climbed as high as No. 19 in the national rankings. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from Bridgewater in 2018 and later received a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Blubaugh will assume the day-to-day leadership of the women's lacrosse program immediately and can be contacted at blubae@rpi.edu.