‘DII, Who Knew?’ campaign aims to educate, spread awareness about Division II field hockey
A free webinar about what NCAA Division II field hockey programs have to offer is being held at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. Photo: Submitted
There is a "DII, Who Knew?" social media campaign running from June 23-27, aimed at helping to educate prospective student-athletes and parents on what NCAA Division II field hockey programs have to offer.
TheLineUP and The National Field Hockey Coaches Association have been promoting the benefits of DII.
TheLineUp, a female-led family-run business, hosts annual events for prospective female athletes, who play high school field hockey. The clinics are a one-stop shop, where a handful of the best coaches in college field hockey are invited to provide one day of instruction.
TheLineUP is hosting a free webinar, along with Play College Field Hockey, a recruiting resource, and three Division II college coaches tonight.
To learn more about Division, join TheLineUp at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. Click the red link to register for the event.
Here are a few facts they have been sharing this week.
‘DII, Who Knew?” (Source: NCAA)
36 active NCAA Division II programs across 11 states
945 NCAA Division II field hockey student-athletes in Fall 2024
‘DII, Who Knew?” (Source: TheLineUp, The National Field Hockey Coaches Association, and, Play College Field Hockey)
1. Scholarship and Financial Support
DII field hockey offers athletic scholarship opportunities that are often combined with academic and need-based aid.
Most DII aid packages are partial scholarships, making field hockey accessible and affordable.
2. Academic Flexibility and Support
DII provides an ideal environment for students in rigorous majors, including Nursing, Pre-Med, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Education, and majors with labs and fieldwork.
Student-athletes can successfully balance academics and athletics without sacrificing either.
3. Holistic College Experience
DII athletes can compete in multiple sports, study abroad, participate in internships, join campus clubs and organizations, and work campus jobs.
This division supports a well-rounded college life — athletic, academic, and social.
Is Division II field hockey the hidden gem for student-athletes? Kutztown's Marci Scheuing explains
4. Competitive Athletics
The level of play in DII field hockey is highly competitive and fast-paced.
With 36 active field hockey programs across 11 states, student-athletes face strong regional and national matchups.
5. Early Recruiting Access
Since August 1, 2024, DII coaches may communicate with prospective student-athletes of any age via email, phone, text, and social media — allowing earlier conversations and relationships to form.
Official and unofficial visits remain restricted until June 15 after a student’s sophomore year.
6. Community Connection
DII athletic programs have a deep commitment to community engagement — building civic awareness, leadership, and connections through service and outreach.
All DII national championships include community engagement programming.
7. Access to Championships
DII student-athletes enjoy greater access to NCAA championships than in any other division, with more opportunities to compete at the national level. Division II features unparalleled opportunity for student-athletes to advance to national championship competition as a result of the division’s generous championship access ratios.
8. Personalized Campus Environments
65 percent of DII schools have fewer than 2,999 students, providing intimate class sizes, accessible faculty, and supportive campus communities.
***As of August 1st, 2024, NCAA Division II coaches can communicate with prospective student-athletes of any age through email, phone, text, and social media. Division II now permits earlier recruiting conversations. However, face-to-face contact (such as official and unofficial visits) remains limited until June 15th, following the athlete’s sophomore year. (NCAA DII Manual 13.1.3.1)
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