In the competitive landscape of NCAA Division I field hockey, the Ivy League stands out for its unique approach to integrating freshmen into collegiate sports. Unlike many other conferences, the Ivy League does not offer athletic scholarships, and as evidenced by current roster numbers, it does not include any redshirts among its freshmen. This creates a distinct environment where freshmen are expected to contribute immediately without the financial incentives or the additional developmental year available in other DI conferences . Our analysis delves into how these factors influence playing time and player development. ​Let's check the Ivy League case by examining the numbers:

Following our discussion in 'Freshman Realities: What to Expect in Your First Year of College Field Hockey', today we're exploring one of NCAA Division I's most prestigious conferences - The Big Ten Conference.

Understanding playing time patterns in this highly competitive conference can help prospective student-athletes and their families set realistic expectations and prepare effectively for their collegiate journey.

The Big Ten represents the highest level of collegiate field hockey, where programs consistently compete for national championships and develop elite talent. What makes this conference particularly interesting for incoming freshmen is its unique blend of development philosophies. Some programs actively recruit international players who often arrive with extensive high-level experience, while others focus on nurturing domestic talent. 

Let's analyze the latest available data about freshman playing time in the Big Ten Conference. This information has been carefully collected from each program's official athletic website, including statistics from the most recent season. By examining game minutes, roster composition, and participation rates, we can better understand how first-year student-athletes are integrated into these highly competitive programs. 

Academic Excellence at Saint Joseph’s:

With over 150 majors and minors, Saint Joseph’s University offers students an extensive array of academic options to pursue their passions and prepare for future careers. Students in the field hockey program can select from a diverse range of fields, from business and health sciences to liberal arts and engineering, providing pathways that suit their aspirations on the field and beyond. Some popular degrees among student-athletes include business administration, psychology, and biology, but many also pursue unique interdisciplinary studies that SJU is known for. You can view the full list of academic programs here.

Discover more about Saint Joseph's University’s academic programs by visiting SAINT JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY.

In our previous article, "Freshman Realities: What to Expect in Your First Year of College Field Hockey", we promised to explore how much playing time freshmen across different NCAA Division I conferences are getting. Today, we're taking a closer look at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The ACC is known for its competitive edge, and playing time can be a critical factor in shaping a freshman’s first-year experience. In this analysis, we break down the playing time that ACC freshmen have earned. The strategies of the colleges vary not only in the amount of minutes given to freshmen but also in the recruitment of international players. It is evident that these variations are not only seen from college to college but also across different conferences. According to the information provided in their official websites, this is the latest available data. Let's take a look at the table and the collected data. 

​Introduction:
 
Playing in college is a dream many athletes pursue from a young age. From as early as 7th or 8th grade, they begin preparing for their future collegiate careers. Every tournament, camp, clinic, and high school season, including events like RCC, NCC, NIT, Nexus, Shooting Stars, and Disney, is aimed at enhancing their prospects at the college level. Throughout this journey, clubs play a crucial role by standing beside these young athletes, aiding their development, and helping them navigate the path to college sports. That’s why at FHCollegePath, we are eager to share this information, hoping that others will help these kids navigate through this process and fulfill their dreams.
 
​Understanding Verbal Commitments:
 
Part of transitioning to NCAA Division I college field hockey includes understanding the implications of a verbal commitment. When a player commits to a college team, they are making a verbal agreement, not signing a legally binding contract. This commitment rests on an understanding that the athlete will continue to improve in preparation for their collegiate career. It's essential to recognize that development must persist even after this commitment, especially considering the frequent turnover among Division I Coaching staff. New coaches can mean new expectations and strategies, requiring players to constantly adapt and reprove their abilities. Thus, a verbal commitment is just the beginning; sustained effort and adaptability are crucial for success in the competitive arena of college sports.
 
The Transition Experience:
 
After enduring a long and stressful recruitment process and a two-year wait, the transition from high school to NCAA Division I college field hockey can be both an exciting and challenging experience for freshmen players. This system operates at a nearly professional level, vastly different from the dynamics of high school and club sports. Athletes enter the adult world overnight, faced with a barrage of significant responsibilities and obligations that can be challenging for these adolescents to manage. In this new environment, athletes are expected to resolve their challenges independently, as parental participation and opinions are not permitted in the decision-making processes. This step towards autonomy is a crucial part of their development into responsible adults and capable athletes.
 
Game Time Realities:
 
Game time on the field is a crucial indicator of how well freshmen are adapting to their new environment in college sports. It is rare for a freshman to receive significant playing time in their first year. Despite their previous successes, freshmen may find limited playing time due to the depth of talent, particularly in strong teams, or their playtime may be strategically determined based on their position and the team's immediate needs. The game at the next level is faster and the players are stronger. Foreign players often benefit from significant playing time owing to their high level of experience and maturity, having frequently competed at higher levels in their home countries. However, it's important to note that there are exceptional freshmen who do manage to break into the rotation or even secure a starting position. These instances, though few and far between, demonstrate that with outstanding readiness, adaptability, and talent, some freshmen can surpass the typical expectations and contribute significantly from the outset.
 
Coach Alan Good, Associate Head Coach at Liberty University, emphasizes the challenge of predicting playing time in a video on social media. He identifies three main reasons:

1. Unpredictability of Performance Development: “The coaches can't predict the future. You have to assume if you're being recruited, they see that you have potential to impact the team on the field, but whether you actually will when you get there, is impossible to know two years out. You still have way too much learning and growing to do for that to be a sure thing”. 
2. Integration into Team Dynamics: “The coaches haven't seen you in their team environment yet. The step up from high school and club to college is much greater than most people anticipate, especially in terms of speed of the game and tactical awareness. Some people adapt very quickly to this; others take a bit longer. Some never find their feet at all. Coaches can't know which category you're going to fall into until you get on campus and start practicing with the team”. 
3. Irrelevance of Past Achievements:“Scholarships and accolades don't matter once you actually get to college. In the same way that being a walk-on doesn't preclude you from getting playing time, being on scholarship doesn't guarantee it either. Those titles you might have built up as a high school or club player, they might have got you in the door, but it's what you do next that's going to keep you in the building. Coaches' jobs are to make decisions that are in the best interests of the program. They can only make those decisions with the best information they have at the time.”

​This detailed explanation from Coach Good provides a realistic view of the unpredictability involved in game time decisions, helping athletes and their families set appropriate expectations and prepare for the range of outcomes they might encounter.
 
Options and Opportunities:
 
Colleges offer various enrollment strategies to optimize athletes' transitions into college sports, each tailored to meet different needs and situations that freshmen might face:

• Greyshirting: This strategy allows athletes to start college earlier than usual, potentially finishing high school early. By beginning their college activities and training ahead of the traditional academic calendar, greyshirting aligns an athlete’s academic and athletic preparation with team needs without activating their NCAA eligibility clock. This option is ideal for athletes ready to jumpstart their collegiate careers both academically and athletically.

• Redshirting: Extends a player’s eligibility by a year, providing extra time to develop skills and adapt to the college level without losing a year of competitive play. This option is frequently used for athletes who suffer injuries and cannot compete immediately, or for those who require more time to acclimate to the rigorous demands of college sports.

• Gap Year: Recently, it has become increasingly common for coaches to suggest taking a gap year for the first year. This approach allows players to further develop physically and academically before diving into the high pressures of Division I competition. Taking a gap year can include gaining valuable hockey experience abroad, which is instrumental in broadening an athlete's understanding of different playing styles and enhancing their skills.

 
Redshirting in college sports, including field hockey, is a strategic decision that can occur in various ways. It often involves a pre-agreed decision between the player, their family, and coaching staff, allowing the athlete to focus on development without the pressure of immediate performance. This agreement ensures expectations are managed from the start of the athlete's college career. Alternatively, discussions around redshirting may also occur later in the season, particularly if an athlete has not played many minutes and both the player and coaching staff agree that preserving a year of eligibility is beneficial. It's crucial to understand that redshirting is not suitable for every athlete and typically requires mutual agreement to ensure alignment with both the athlete's and the program’s long-term goals.
 
With changes in the athletic landscape, particularly post-COVID, traditional approaches like gap years might become less common, but they still remain a viable option for those seeking additional development time before fully engaging in competitive play. These strategies highlight the commitment of collegiate programs to provide various pathways for athletes, ensuring they can maximize their growth and success both on and off the field. This adaptive approach allows each athlete to find the most beneficial route to develop their skills and athletic career in alignment with their academic pursuits."
 
Helping your player navigate this transition:
 
It is helpful to remind the player that their role on a team does not define them, and a role is only temporary. Keeping a positive attitude and maintaining coachability is crucial to a successful transition. The game is faster and much more physical in college. Your player must come to their first day as a freshman ready to pass all the fitness tests that were sent to them several months before in their workout packet. In the coach's mind, being fit is the bare minimum a player should be doing, and it is 100% in their own control. Remind them that there are several famous athletes who did not have playing time or an impact their freshman year. But when they did get an opportunity, they did everything they could to take full advantage of whatever chance they were given- players like Tom Brady.
 
Conclusion:
 
The journey through NCAA Division I field hockey is fraught with challenges and potential disappointments. High school stars might find themselves struggling with limited game time and facing a daunting transition to college-level play. These experiences can lead to disillusionment, leaving athletes questioning their role and future in the sport. The stakes in college sports are incredibly high, with colleges, coaches, and athletes all vying for prestige and success. This intense competition can seem opaque and unforgiving, and brilliant performances in training do not always translate to game time.
 
Clubs play a pivotal role in this environment, serving as a primary support system throughout these athletes' careers. They are positioned ideally to lead the educational efforts, ensuring that players and their families are well-prepared for the realities of college sports. Knowing what really happens is crucial for being adequately prepared and performing at one's best. Athletes enter the adult world overnight, faced with a barrage of significant responsibilities and obligations that can be overwhelming. They leave their homes and families for a new routine, vastly different from what they were accustomed to, and enter a new competition where they may find a great human group or not.
 
We hope this text helps parents and athletes understand how the NCAA Division I system functions, thereby preventing crises such as identity issues, anxiety, depression, and disillusionment. This system operates at a nearly professional level, vastly different from the dynamics of high school and club sports. That's why at FHCollegePath, we are dedicated to providing this information, encouraging others to help these young athletes navigate through this process and fulfill their dreams. Only a few will reach the heights of glory and become part of their university's history, but with the right preparation, all can strive to give their best performance.
 
This analysis aims not only to inform but also to transform this information into positive action, encouraging athletes to work hard without feeling that they fall short or do not meet expectations. Clubs, as the ongoing support system, should take the lead in this educational effort, ensuring that both players and their families are well-informed and prepared for what lies ahead in the competitive world of college sports.
 
Future Analysis:
 
In future presentations, we will analyze the amount of playing time that freshmen from each NCAA Division I conference were able to play, providing further insights into how different programs manage their new athletes.

Saint Francis University located in Loretto, Pennsylvania, is home to a competitive Division I Field Hockey program in the Northeast Conference (NEC). Currently, the team trains on DeGol Field with an artificial SportExe surface. The field is complete with our state-of-the-art scoreboard and message center in the north end zone. The team does strength training in the DeGol Field Hockey, which is also home to the team’s locker room, athletic training room, and coaches offices.

New Leadership, New Vision:
​
In their first season as coaches, Head Coach Mackenzie Allessie, a former standout at Ohio State and Penn State, and Assistant Coach Alexa Rastigue, a former defender at Bellarmine University, are working towards building a foundation for the Saint Francis Field Hockey Program. Having just finished their playing careers; they came in with the drive to grow the program the way they wanted to. They are dedicated to developing each player on and off the field for the good of the team. They foster the “team before me” mentality, which helps create an environment where everyone comes in to compete every day and they feel supported by their teammates and coaches around them.

Core Values:

​This year the team came up with four core values. They wanted these core values to represent Saint Francis Field Hockey on the field, in the classroom, in the community, etc. The team’s core values are trust, relentless, discipline, and respect. If you were to see anyone on the team, these core values would be evident.

Community Engagement:

The Red Flash Field Hockey team is active off the field too, engaging in various community service events. A highlight this year was their participation in the local Potato Fest, where they interacted with children through games, crafts, and face painting, showcasing their commitment to community service.

If anyone is interested in the Saint Francis Field Hockey Program, please contact the coaching staff for any inquiries or further information:

• Head Coach Mackenzie Allessie 
  Email: [email protected]
• Assistant Coach Alexa Rastigue
​  Email: [email protected]

To learn more about the Saint Francis University Field Hockey program and keep up with the Red Flash’s latest games and updates, visit ​SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY FIELD HOCKEY PROGRAM.

Academic Opportunities at Saint Francis University:

Saint Francis University creates innovative learning experiences where students grow to become that someone. Our mission is to help students grow into compassionate, successful professionals through a culture of Virtue, Truth, and Compassion. At Saint Francis University, you will find career-directed studies with a focus on leadership and professional ethics, small classes with close mentorship both on-campus and online, programs for every stage in your life-long academic journey, undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree and workforce training. Saint Francis offers a broad portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, continuing and professional studies programs. The university boasts a diverse portfolio of programs, including highly regarded majors such as Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Early Childhood Education, Accounting, Behavioral Sciences, Biology, Health Service Preparatory, Marketing, and Business, among others.

Discover more about Saint Francis University’s academic programs, admission criteria, and how to apply by visiting SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY.

The best way to experience campus is to schedule a visit! No matter where you are in your college search, our visit opportunities allow you to connect with us and to find out what life is like as a member of the Red Flash Family! Our visit experiences offer you the chance to learn about admissions and financial aid, meet faculty and students, enjoy the beauty of our 600-acre campus, and find out how SFU will help you become that someone.​