SAA Announces Formation of Collegiate Field Hockey Conference

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Southern Athletic Association is excited to announce the formation of the Collegiate Field Hockey Conference (CFHC), following approval from the NCAA Division III Membership Committee.

"We are very excited about this news," said Concordia Wisconsin head coach Samantha Schoessow. "This is an amazing opportunity for us and we are really excited about the possibility of growth of field hockey in the Midwest. We can not wait to compete for the first CFHC title in the fall."

The CFHC will operate as a single-sport conference and will include current SAA members in field hockey, Centre College, Concordia University Wisconsin, Marian University, Rhodes College, The University of the South, as well as the University of Mary Washington. The six-school conference was approved for active NCAA membership beginning September 1, 2024, and will contest its inaugural season in the Fall of 2024.

Former Centre field hockey head coach Jenelle Anthony Downs will serve as the CFHC Commissioner. Downs currently serves as a Leadership Annual Giving Officer at Centre.

"As the newly appointed commissioner of the Collegiate Field Hockey Conference, I am thrilled to spearhead this exciting opportunity for our membership," said Downs. "Our journey thus far has been marked by both triumphs and challenges, navigating growth spurts and setbacks within the SAA. However, today signifies a monumental shift as we embark on a path toward unparalleled cohesion and opportunity. With the establishment of the Collegiate Field Hockey Conference, we not only affirm our dedication to advancing the sport but also secure a coveted gateway to the NCAA tournament. I am deeply honored to lead this initiative and am eager to champion our athletes, coaches, and institutions to new heights of success and recognition."

The CFHC will begin its two-year probationary period in 2024. During that time, teams will play for conference championships and be eligible for at-large bids into the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament. Beginning in 2026, the champion of the CFHC will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA postseason.

"The field hockey student-athletes in the SAA have been disadvantaged for some time with the SAA's lack of access to the NCAA Championship," shared SAA Commissioner Stacey LaDew. "Our field hockey membership has long fought to find a way to support our field hockey student-athletes and grow field hockey in regions of the country where the sport is underrepresented. Because of the hard work and leadership of our field hockey members, this new league is a reality and will finally offer our field hockey student-athletes stability and the potential for growth into the future. I am excited that Jenelle has agreed to lead the CFHC, as I think she is an experienced leader who is passionate about the sport of field hockey, and that combination will be a recipe for the success of the Collegiate Field Hockey Conference."

The CFHC's inaugural regular season will consist of a double round-robin schedule and then transition into a single round-robin format for 2025 and beyond. The conference will conduct a postseason tournament for the league title with the tournament winner earning the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament starting in 2026.