NCAA Approves Division I Recruiting Calendar for Field Hockey

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — The NCAA approved an established Division I Field Hockey Recruiting Calendar for 2024-2025, effective August 1. By defining certain time periods in which recruiting and contact may occur, the NFHCA submitted a proposal in March to the NCAA on behalf of Division I membership.

Discussions on the necessity of a structured recruiting calendar began over a year ago, driven by numerous conversations with the NFHCA Division I coach membership. The journey towards this decision included a DI membership survey in May 2022, followed by a webinar in fall 2023 to deliberate on initial survey findings. The momentum continued into the 2024 Annual Convention, where an overwhelming 95 percent of voting Division I programs favored an established recruiting calendar.

Key stakeholders highlighted several benefits of implementing designated recruiting periods, including crucial decompression time for both prospective athletes and coaches. This structured approach aims to alleviate the year-round pressure on student-athletes, establishing clear expectations for on and off periods throughout the recruiting cycle.

Effective immediately upon NCAA approval received on June 26, 2024, the calendar is expected to reduce financial and time commitments associated with year-round recruiting activities, thereby promoting a sustainable and equitable framework across Division I field hockey programs.

The updated Division I Field Hockey Recruiting Calendar may be viewed here. Other NCAA sports’ calendars can be viewed here.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) is a nonprofit organization serving field hockey coaches and supporters of the game from across the United States. The mission of the association is to champion, strengthen, and celebrate field hockey coaches and the game. The NFHCA strives to be the organization that every field hockey coach looks to for the resources to grow in the game and the inspiration to stay in the game.