As of the 2024 season in the United States, there are 285 collegiate field hockey programs. 82 Division I teams exist, as well as 35 Division II programs and 168 Division III programs. With roster sizes of about 20 athletes per team, consider how many opportunities there are for field hockey athletes to continue to play throughout college across the three Divisions!
The time to think about college can come as early as 8th grade for some elite student-athletes. However, for others, the process may begin much later. A field hockey player may begin to have communication with NCAA coaches on June 15 after her sophomore year of high school.
Until that point in time, though, the most important thing for players with hopes of being recruited is to stay engaged with the sport. Focus on perfecting your strengths and working on your weaknesses, train often with intensity, and take any opportunity to better yourself as an athlete, whether it is your field hockey skills, mindset, or speed and strength. Mastering these basics daily will certainly make you a sought-after player by college coaches. They are also everyday steps to take as a reminder of what you are working towards and the evidence you have to show for chasing your goals.
However, there are some important rules to understand when entering the process of becoming a recruited student-athlete. It makes sense to understand these rules from the beginning of the college search process so as to ask the right questions, communicate properly, and be prepared to plan for the future.
- Early Recruiting – Before June 15, after an athlete’s sophomore year of high school, it is common for college coaches to watch her at camps, tournaments, and practices, as well as interact with her club or high school coaches. Direct contact between a student-athlete and an NCAA coach is prohibited at this time. A student-athlete may email a college coach to make them aware of her upcoming showcases or events, accolades, or academic reports, but in turn, from a coach, she may only receive non-recruiting materials and general academic information.
- Non-binding verbal offers and commitments may be made as early as June 15 as it marks the time when coaches may communicate with recruits over the phone, providing recruiting materials. Scholarship offers become binding when a student-athlete signs a National Letter of Intent in her senior year of high school.
- Official and unofficial visits are visits to a campus that can include interaction with the coaches and team. They may be scheduled as early as August 1 after a student-athlete’s sophomore year of high school. Official visits are paid for by the school, whereas unofficial visits are funded by a student-athlete or her family.
- A dead period is a time when student-athletes and college coaches may not have in-person contact. However, communication over the phone is permitted. The NCAA releases dates for dead periods with a calendar each year.
- These are some basic timeline guidelines regarding NCAA recruiting. Use them as a foundation for planning out your college search process and as a way to be prepared for when it is your time to be recruited!
