“Spirit of the Game”
Being involved in a club sport combines every great part of playing a sport. We are very competitive and take games very seriously but we also do not have the stress and pressure involved in varsity sports. Everyone plays for the love of the game. “We only do it for the scars and stories, not the fame.”
Organizational Meeting
In September we hold our annual open meeting for new freshmen as well as upperclassmen with information on the team and tryouts dates. In the meantime if you are interested you can email one of the officers listed below.
Membership
The amount of players we take varies each semester. We currently have about 40 players on the roster, however not all of the players are always active members. Many students take semesters off because of rigorous course schedules, jobs, or major requirements. Our biggest tryout and selection time is at the beginning of each fall semester. In the past we usually have anywhere from 30-60 players tryout and usually pick anywhere from 5-10 players to join the team. We also have informal tryouts available in the Spring semester where 1-2 players are generally chosen.
The majority of our team is female, however men are extremely encouraged to tryout. We currently have two male players on our roster and we are always looking for more! However the league regulations state that only two male players are allowed on the field at one point (not including the goalie).
Practice Information
Practices are held three times a week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the Academy Field across from the Perkins student center and right behind the Kent dinning hall. Additional practices are added when turf time is available.
National and/or Regional Affiliation
We are part of the National Field Hockey League (NFHL) which is a collegiate club league that began in 1997. Within the league there are about 60 teams divided into five divisions, with us being part of the Central Division. The top eight teams from the league compete in the Elite 8 National Championship Tournament, which is held at the end of the fall season. We have made it to the Elite 8 every year.
Membership Requirements
Any player chosen at tryouts never has to re-tryout each year. Players are on the team roster until graduation unless they decide to quit the team. However, that does not mean that each player has to be active every semester. At the beginning of every semester we ask each player if they are going to be playing that semester and be “active”. Active members are players that attend practices, play in the games, and plan on being full time members of the team. All other members are still always welcome to come to practice and social events and are still considered part of the team.
Active players are expected to attend practice during the week and games on the weekends. Players must attend two practices during the week of a game in order to play in the game that weekend. Practice attendance will also influence playing time. In the Fall, which is our season, games are held either once or twice a weekend, including tournaments. Most of the games are held within a two hour driving limit of UD, but it often takes up the whole day to play a game including travel.
Dues are also required at the beginning of every semester. Although the amount changes each semester, the average amount per semester for each player is $40.
Equipment Required
Along with dues players cover the cost of their uniform top and socks, which is about another $45, but is a one time pay and shirts are personalized with last names. Uniform kilts are property of the team and are handed in each year and redistributed. Other costs that are optional include costs of apparel such as hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts, and rugby’s.
Player are responsible for their own equipment including shin guards, shoes, stick, and mouth guard. But we have our own cages, cones, and balls.
Officers (2009)
President: Caitlin Maloney
Vice-President: Krista Scott
Treasurer: Sophie DeMesse
Social Chair: Sarah Beabout
To contact any of the officers, visit the contact page.