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Month: October 2025

Categories
Field Hockey Field Hockey

A Must-Watch for Players and Parents: Stick With It Official on YouTube

If you’re a youth field hockey player or a parent supporting their athlete’s journey, the YouTube channel StickWithItOfficial is a resource you’ll want to check out. With a focus on performance, development and inspiration, this channel speaks directly to young players and families navigating the sport.

What it is

StickWithItOfficial is part of the broader “Stick With It Performance Hockey” brand, dedicated to educating, entertaining and empowering junior players and their families. Their Instagram profile states they aim to “Educate ✨ Inspire ✨ Entertain” – particularly for junior players and families. They also host a companion podcast where they interview coaches, performance specialists and players to dig into what it takes to succeed.

Why it’s useful for you

  • Skill & Training Focus
    The content is well suited for youth athletes who want to sharpen their fundamentals and understand how to train smart. While specific YouTube video titles weren’t available in the search result, the broader brand emphasises performance and progression, which is ideal for players committed to improving.
  • Parent Perspective
    For parents, the channel and podcast help you understand the pathway: what coaches look for, what training matters, and how to support your athlete. The interviews with performance coaches are especially helpful for seeing the “behind the scenes” of what serious field hockey development involves.
  • Motivation & Culture
    The “Stick With It” message itself is all about consistency, mindset and long-term growth. For young athletes it serves as both a mantra and a practical guide: stick to your training, stick to the process, and the results will come.

How to use it

  • Set aside time: Use the videos to supplement training—whether you pick a drill to try after practice or watch an interview to discuss as a family.
  • Apply what you learn: After watching a skill video, try it at your next session. Then reflect on what worked, what felt hard, and how you’ll improve.
  • Use it as inspiration: When motivation dips (which it will — especially for younger players), revisit an interview or a story of an athlete who “stuck with it” and made progress.
Categories
Field Hockey Field Hockey

Tune In: Pitch Session – The Must-Listen Podcast for Field Hockey Fans

If you love field hockey — whether you’re a player dreaming of playing in college or a parent learning the ins and outs of the sport — the Pitch Session podcast should be at the top of your playlist.

Hosted by Andrew and Kirstin, Pitch Session brings energy, humor, and expert insight to every episode. They cover everything from college rankings and player highlights to coaching strategies and program news across NCAA Divisions I and III. Every week, they dive deep into what’s happening on and off the field, making it easy for anyone to follow the college game.

What Makes It Great

What separates Pitch Session from other sports podcasts is how well it connects fans with the people who make field hockey tick. The hosts regularly feature college coaches, national team players, and standout student-athletes, giving listeners a real sense of what it’s like to compete at the highest levels.

Recent guests have included NCAA Players of the Week and coaches like UC Davis’s Austin Pile, who shared behind-the-scenes stories about team travel, conference changes, and building a competitive program. These conversations give players and parents valuable insight into what college coaches look for — and how athletes can prepare both on the field and in the classroom.

Perfect for Players and Parents

For youth players, Pitch Session is a great way to learn about the college game and get inspired by hearing from athletes who were once in your shoes. Listening can help you understand the pace, commitment, and culture of college field hockey — and maybe even discover schools you hadn’t considered before.

For parents, the podcast offers a helpful look into how college programs operate, what recruiting timelines look like, and how coaches evaluate potential players. It’s an easy and entertaining way to stay informed and support your athlete’s journey.

Where to Listen

Pitch Session is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms. New episodes drop weekly, often featuring polls, player spotlights, and lively debates about which programs are climbing the rankings.

So, whether you’re driving to a tournament, relaxing after practice, or just love hearing great field hockey talk, Pitch Session is your go-to listen for staying connected to the sport you love.

Categories
Women's Hockey

Score Your Spot: Why Field Hockey Recruiting Camps Are a Game-Changer

For aspiring collegiate field hockey players, the path to playing at the next level can feel like a maze. Between academics, club seasons, and high school games, how do you get noticed by college coaches? The answer, for many, lies in field hockey recruiting camps.

These camps are more than just an opportunity to sharpen your skills; they’re a crucial platform for exposure, evaluation, and making connections that can shape your recruiting journey.

What Makes Recruiting Camps So Valuable?

Unlike regular skills camps, recruiting camps are specifically designed with college coaches in mind. Here’s why they’re a game-changer:

  • Direct Exposure to College Coaches: This is the primary draw. Coaches from various NCAA divisions (DI, DII, DIII) attend these camps to scout talent. You’ll often be instructed by or playing directly in front of them, giving them a firsthand look at your abilities and potential.
  • Skill Development and Evaluation: Beyond being seen, you’ll receive high-level instruction from experienced coaches. This helps you refine your technique, understand game strategies, and get valuable feedback on areas for improvement. Coaches are also evaluating your coachability, attitude, and how you interact with teammates.
  • Understanding the College Game: Many camps include informational sessions about the college recruiting process, NCAA rules, and what it takes to be a collegiate athlete. You might also get a feel for campus life if the camp is hosted at a university.
  • Networking Opportunities: Not only will you connect with coaches, but you’ll also meet other aspiring collegiate athletes. These connections can be valuable for future tournaments and even friendships.
  • Targeted Feedback: Some camps offer individual evaluations, providing specific insights into your performance and how you stack up against other recruits.

Types of Recruiting Camps and Showcases

There are generally two main categories of events that offer recruiting opportunities:

  1. College-Hosted Camps/Clinics: Many universities host their own camps on campus. Attending these shows direct interest in that specific program and allows you to work directly with the coaching staff and often current players from that team. This is an excellent way to get a feel for the school and its field hockey program.
  2. Independent Showcases: These events bring together coaches from multiple colleges in one location. They are often larger and provide a broader range of exposure.

Examples of Popular Field Hockey Recruiting Events:

Here are some well-known events and organizations that host recruiting camps and showcases. Keep in mind that dates and locations vary annually, so always check their official websites for the most up-to-date information.

  • Nexus (USA Field Hockey): An evolution of USA Field Hockey’s former Futures program, Nexus is designed to connect players to coaches and provide a challenging, competitive experience. It’s often a pathway for elite development and exposure. You can find more information on the USA Field Hockey website.
  • College Connection: This nationally leading showcase is often hosted at different colleges throughout the country. Athletes may have the opportunity to choose the coaches they want to work with in smaller, intimate clinics.
  • The LineUP: A cooperative of NCAA coaches working together to identify and connect with USA field hockey talent. It focuses on small-group clinics where athletes can work directly with coaches they are interested in.
  • Super Sixty Collegiate Development Camps: These camps are known for bringing in a large number of NCAA coaches (ranging from 32 to 44 coaches per camp) to run practice sessions, games, and host daily seminars, maximizing connections for recruits. You can often find information at Super Sixty Camps.
  • Surf & Sand’s Field Hockey Showcase: This showcase aims to provide high school athletes with the opportunity to enhance skills, compete at a high level, and gain exposure to college coaches in a summer setting.
  • Invasion Field Hockey: Offers camps designed for athletes considering playing field hockey in college, with coaches from various universities on staff.
  • National Hockey Festival: A major tournament that often draws college coaches.
  • Sunshine Showcase (Disney Showcase): Another large event that provides significant exposure.
  • Shooting Star Showcases: These are a series of regional and national showcases that attract college coaches.

Tips for Making the Most of a Field Hockey Recruiting Camp:

  • Do Your Research: Before attending, know which coaches will be there and which schools you’re interested in.
  • Create a Highlight Video: Even if you’re attending camps, a well-made highlight video is essential to send to coaches beforehand so they know to look for you.
  • Communicate Effectively: Send introductory emails to coaches you’re interested in, let them know you’ll be at the camp, and follow up afterward.
  • Be Proactive: Introduce yourself to coaches, ask questions, and show your enthusiasm.
  • Focus on Fundamentals: Coaches look for strong basic skills, athleticism, and field hockey IQ.
  • Be Coachable: Listen to feedback and demonstrate your ability to learn and adapt.
  • Maintain Good Grades: Academic eligibility is just as important as athletic talent.

Field hockey recruiting camps are a significant investment of time and money, but for many, they are an invaluable step toward achieving their dream of playing college field hockey. By understanding their purpose and preparing effectively, you can significantly boost your chances of scoring a spot on a collegiate roster.

Categories
2025 College Hockey Recruiting Women's College Hockey Women's Hockey

🏒 How ChampsEyeQ Player Reports Work

ChampsEyeQ turns your game video into a professional, data-driven evaluation that helps you understand where you stand and how to improve.

🎥 Step 1: Submit Your Video

Players upload at least 10 minutes of edited game footage showing complete shifts with real game flow — not just highlights.

đź‘€ Step 2: Expert Scout Evaluation

Our professional scouts — who have evaluated thousands of youth players — analyze your performance across 15+ key attributes, including:

  • Skating
  • Hockey IQ & Decision Making
  • Offensive & Defensive Skills
  • Compete Level & Intangibles

đź“Š Step 3: Ratings, Tiers & Feedback

Each player receives a quantitative and qualitative report with:

  • A numerical rating (1–10) for every skill
  • An overall average score
  • A Tier ranking showing how they compare to peers nationwide
  • Written feedback highlighting key strengths and priority areas for improvement
DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE REPORTDownload

🧮 How Ratings Translate into Tiers

Average RatingTierMeaning
8.5+🏅 Top 5% – Elite PlayerExceptional performance; top national tier
7.8–8.4🎓 Top 20% – D1 PotentialTypical range of future NCAA Division I players
6.5–7.7💪 Top 33%Strong skill base; competitive pathway to D1
5.5–6.4⚔️ Top 50%Solid player development foundation
Below 5.5🔄 Bottom 50%Early-stage development; focus on fundamentals

Formula: =IFS(Rating≥8.5,“Top 5%–Elite Player”, Rating≥7.8,“Top 20%–D1 Potential”, Rating≥6.5,“Top 33%”, Rating≥5.5,“Top 50%”, TRUE,“Bottom 50%”)

🧭 Step 4: Actionable Insights

ChampsEyeQ combines objective data and expert insight to give players a clear development roadmap — showing not just what their rating is, but why and how to improve.

As more athletes are evaluated, ChampsEyeQ continually updates its benchmarks, giving families an evolving, data-backed view of what it takes to reach the NCAA Division I level.

🚀 Ready to See Where You Stand?

Submit your game footage today and receive your personalized ChampsEyeQ Player Evaluation Report.
👉 Start your submission at www.ChampsEyeQ.com

Categories
Coaching Women's College Hockey

Boston College Women’s Hockey: A Shift from Dominance to Rebuilding

The Boston College women’s ice hockey program, a consistent top-10 powerhouse from 2010 to 2019, has experienced a noticeable downturn in recent years, seeing them fall out of the national top rankings. This shift can be attributed to a confluence of factors, most notably a significant loss of top-tier talent through the NCAA transfer portal, coupled with the natural cycle of player graduation and the increasing parity in women’s college hockey.

The gap between the Eagles and the nation’s elite was starkly highlighted at the start of the 2025-26 season. In a two-game series on September 25th and 26th, 2025, Boston College was outscored by a combined 18-1 in back-to-back losses to the University of Minnesota, falling 7-1 and 11-0. These results provided a clear illustration of the team’s current challenges against top-tier programs.

While the program enjoyed a decade of dominance under head coach Katie Crowley, marked by numerous NCAA tournament appearances and Hockey East championships, the tide began to turn following the 2019-20 season. An examination of their season records reveals a stark contrast. After a strong 2018-19 season with a 26-12-1 record, and a respectable 17-16-3 showing in 2019-20, the team’s performance started to dip. The COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season saw a 14-6-0 record, but the subsequent seasons marked a significant decline with losing records of 19-15-1 in 2021-22, 11-20-3 in 2022-23, and 14-18-3 in 2023-24.

The most significant factor contributing to this decline has been the departure of several high-impact players. This exodus of talent has created significant gaps in their lineup and leadership. Key losses include:

  • Daryl Watts: The 2018 Patty Kazmaier Award winner as the nation’s top female college ice hockey player transferred to Wisconsin after the 2018-19 season, a move that sent shockwaves through the college hockey world.
  • Cayla Barnes and Hannah Bilka: Two of the team’s captains and key veteran leaders, defenseman Cayla Barnes and forward Hannah Bilka, departed for rival powerhouse Ohio State following the 2022-23 season. It is important to note that both players had graduated from Boston College and were using their fifth year of eligibility, granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to play for the Buckeyes. While they completed their academic and athletic careers at BC, their departure meant the Eagles lost two of their most experienced and productive players, leaving a significant void in on-ice production and veteran leadership for the following season.
  • Julia Pellerin: The team’s leading goal-scorer in the 2023-24 season, Pellerin, transferred to conference rival UConn, further depleting the Eagles’ offensive firepower.
  • Molly Jordan: Adding to the recent challenges, standout defender Molly Jordan transferred to Minnesota in the 2024 off-season, representing another significant departure from the team’s blue line.

Compounding the challenges of player turnover was a major change behind the bench. In April 2023, longtime Associate Head Coach Courtney Kennedy left the program after 16 seasons to become a skills coach in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) for the Boston Fleet and Head Coach of the 2026 USA Hockey U18 Women’s Team. Kennedy had been an integral part of the program’s success, working alongside Katie Crowley for their entire tenure. Her departure broke up one of the most stable and successful coaching partnerships in the country

These high-profile departures, coupled with the graduation of other key players, have made it challenging for Boston College to maintain its previous level of dominance.

While head coach Katie Crowley has remained a constant and respected figure behind the bench, the significant roster turnover has necessitated a period of rebuilding. The program continues to recruit talented players, but the immediate impact of losing established stars is difficult to overcome in the highly competitive landscape of NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey. The rise of other programs and the increasing talent pool across the country mean that sustained dominance is more challenging than ever.

The Boston College women’s ice hockey program’s slide from the top 10 is not due to a single catastrophic event, but rather a combination of the growing influence of the transfer portal, the loss of veteran talent, and the ever-increasing competitiveness of the sport. The program is currently in a rebuilding phase, focused on developing its younger players and navigating the new era of player movement in college athletics.

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