Field Hockey

Recruiting Horror Stories™: I Had to Restart My Recruiting Process October of my Senior Year

By Macy McHale|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on December 7, 2021)

**Recruiting Horror Stories™ are posted every Tuesday to provide athletes' first-hand experiences of what can go wrong during the recruiting process.

It was summer before my senior year of high school, and I was confident in my recruiting process. I had a Division I field hockey school actively recruiting me, and both the coaches and myself had made it clear that I was most likely going to join that team.

The Head Coach Stepped Down
In July, the head coach stepped down, and her coaching staff followed. I was definitely a little concerned, but I remained confident that I could build a good relationship with the new coaching staff and still end up at this school. I immediately began contacting the new coaches and planned a visit for September.

I Did Not Click with the New Coaches
At the visit, I was able to meet with many of the players and the new coaching staff, and I even had the opportunity to watch one of their games. The visit was great when I was with the other players, but I did not seem to click with the new coaches. Our personalities just did not seem to match.

Reopening My Recruiting Process
By October, my parents and I realized that it would be in my best interest to reopen my recruiting process and begin to look at other field hockey schools. This was incredibly stressful. Most Division I field hockey players at the time committed by their sophomore year, so starting my recruiting process from scratch in October of my senior year was very concerning. (Disclaimer: I knew I wanted to attend a Division I university regardless of if I played a sport or not, as I wanted the Division I sports atmosphere.)

Miami University, Ohio: I Knew This Is Where I Want to Be
I was able to get in contact with 3 Division I field hockey coaches and 2 Division II soccer coaches, and I ended up visiting 1 of the soccer schools and 2 of the field hockey schools. Each of the schools and athletic programs presented its own pros and cons, but as soon as I stepped on campus during my visit to Miami University in Ohio, I knew this is where I wanted to be. I had never been to Ohio before, but the campus was gorgeous, the team and coaches were incredibly nice, and the idea of moving to Ohio from California intrigued me.

Related school rating: Miami University, Ohio

I ended up committing to Miami the spring of my senior year, and although my entire process was extremely stressful, I am so glad I ended up here at Miami. As chaotic as it was, I am so thankful for the recruiting process I experienced.