American University to Host Field Hockey National Championships

The 2011 Senior Women's National Championship will be held at American University in Washington, D.C., May 20-27. The top field hockey athletes in the United States, including collegiate all-stars, current National Team members and members of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Team will compete for a highly coveted spot on the National Team roster and the opportunity to represent the United States on the world's biggest stage, the Pan American and Olympic Games. This one week showcase event is the only selection opportunity for athletes to make the National Team.

"In looking for a quality playing surface in a central location on the East Coast and the ability to work closely with Steve Jennings, Head Field Hockey Coach at American University (AU), hosting the Women's National Championship at AU is an appropriate venue for an event of this stature," said Lee Bodimeade, Head Coach.

Athletes attending the Women's National Championship will play in six matches, including the finals. USA Field Hockey's National Coaching staff will be evaluating athlete performances throughout the week and selecting a handful of the most elite to fill the Women's National and Development Squad rosters.

With the 2012 London Olympic Games one year away and Olympic dreams on the line, competition is guaranteed to be first class and fierce. Emotions will run high as names of the athletes selected to represent the USA National Team will be announced following the championship match on Friday, May 27. Some will celebrate and be elated with joy and excitement, while others will lament over their chance of not making the 2011-2012 National Squad.

"These are the most elite athletes in the country," said Bodimeade. "They will be assessed to continue on towards participation in the Olympic Games. We are seeking the highest quality athletes to represent the USA National Team and bring Olympic success to USA Field Hockey."

Following the Women's National Championships, select athletes will be invited to the Central Training Program at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. The Central Training Program is a full-time residency program focused on preparing the team to compete at the highest international level. The program provides athletes with an environment that is conducive to elite level training and offers access to state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facilities, medical support and nutritional services. The atmosphere promotes international, Pan Am and Olympic success. 

Competition for the Women's National Championship will begin on Friday, May 20 and will conclude with the finals on Friday, May 27. Matches will be played at 2:30pm, 4:15pm and 6:00pm local EST. Sunday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 25 are designated rest days.

Admission is free and open to the public. All matches will be played on Jacobs Field on the Campus of American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20016. Click here for a printable campus map. Click here for a printable parking map.

The designated University parking lot will be Nebraska Avenue, located on Nebraska Avenue between New Mexico and Massachusetts Avenue. Please note that all University parking regulations will be in effect.  Vehicles parking in University lots, Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm, are required to use the pay-as-you-go meters located in the front of the lot ($1.50/hr). 

The schedule is as follows with all times listed in local EST.

Friday, May 20

• 2:30pm South vs California
• 4:15pm PA vs Mid Atlantic
• 6:00pm NJ vs New England

Saturday, May 21

• 2:30pm Mid Atlantic vs California
• 4:15pm NJ vs South
• 6:00pm New England vs PA

Monday, May 23

• 2:30pm PA vs NJ
• 4:15pm California vs New England
• 6:00pm South vs Mid Atlantic 

Tuesday, May 24

• 2:30pm New England vs South 
• 4:15pm Mid Atlantic vs NJ 
• 6:00pm California vs PA

Thursday, May 26

• 2:30pm Mid Atlantic vs New England 
• 4:15pm South vs PA
• 6:00pm NJ vs California

Friday, May 27 

• 2:00pm 5 vs 6
• 4:00pm 3 vs 4 
• 6:00pm FINAL