USA Field Hockey

On Thursday of this week, I will be traveling to Washington, DC’s American University to attend the beginning stages of the Clash in the Capital, a five game series between the field hockey women’s teams from the USA and Argentina. Jacob’s Field will be the venue and the price of admission is FREE. This is your chance as an East-Coaster to see high quality play in your own backyard.

I hope you can make it to the five game series- the schedule can be found on the USA Field Hockey website. >>

The USA Field Hockey membership card contest is now closed. David Miller, USA Field Hockey Director of Membership, indicates that 42 entries were received. The entries now go to Membership Card Design Committee to be judged. That committee consists of Simon Hoskins, USA Field Hockey Marketing Director, Katie Evans, member of the USA Field Hockey National Women’s Team, Jon Ginolfi, member of the USA Field Hockey Men’s National Team, and David Miller. The winning card will be announced (and, shown to you) in the weekly report of May 17th. The winner receives a full ASICS kit and a Dita stick. Thanks to everyone in advance for submitting a collection of well thought out artwork.

USA Field Hockey is in the midst of conducting a survey covering six fundamental questions regarding what you do and do not like about this organization, and what you would like to see it become going forward. In addition to the survey, USA Field Hockey is conducting a series of Town Hall Meetings in 2010 (the next set will be held at Cal Cup in Moorpark, CA, and we will post a schedule, time and place as the time gets closer on our website). I thought in this edition of the weekly report that I would post a number of responses to one of the questions to give you a flavor. The response authors are not identified. Generally, the responses are interesting and thoughtful. Here is a sampling on the question:

What are the critical issues of USA Field Hockey?

A Sampling of responses

Safety, more local umpire clinics
Grow the game out of the "regional" sport that many consider it to be.
Constantly increasing costs - it's actually changing the demographic of athlete.
Lack of opportunities to play post-high school/college (granted the NCAA limits a lot of one's ability to play during college)
More exposure for the sport on the West Coast. Although mentioned that the USA Team trains much in Southern California; I find it hard to get strong year around Camps, etc...here on the West Coast (in particular Northern California). The weather here is a perfect place for the sport; yet, it seems that the majority of Girls Field Hockey happens in the East Coast. It would be interesting to know how the level of the sport fairs between the East Coast vs. the West Coast as well. Is the USA Balanced?

We are going to be complying responses in categories and although it may look scattered, it won’t be once we are done. Further, the information should provide a distinct point of view from the majority of members responding. Thus far, 227 members have responded to the six-question survey. If you have not yet, but would like to do so, the link to the survey is:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=XGFWuokJORONzboJMhAY0g_3d_3d

From last week’s Thursday evening’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: "Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and today was Cinco de Dow Jones."

Have a great hockey week!