USA Field Hockey Selects Goucher for Mentoring Initiative

Players to Introduce Sport to, Enhance Lives of Girls, 10-18

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Goucher College's field hockey program has been selected along with 13 others across the country to participate in the You Go Girl initiative in 2013.

As developed by USA Field Hockey, the You Go Girl program will enlist the services of current NCAA student-athletes to help introduce the sport of field hockey and enhance the lives of girls, ages 10-18, in urban or non-traditional areas. The You Go Girl program is part of USA Field Hockey's greater campaign, Grow the Game, which is designed to expose the sport and inspire participation in both males and female athletes, coaches, umpires, parents and fans.

The 14 NCAA field hockey programs that were selected from a pool of nearly 50 applicants will receive equipment, provided by program sponsor CranBarry Field Hockey, to use during mentorship sessions at local schools, Boys and Girls clubs and YMCAs. In addition to basic field hockey instruction and coaching, You Go Girl will also highlight additional topics such as healthy lifestyles, nutrition and the value of higher education.

"The goal was to have a balanced spread, both geographically and through all three divisions of NCAA field hockey," said Simone Attles, You Go Girl program manager, who listed the University of Michigan, the University of North Carolina, Princeton University, American International College and Virginia Commonwealth University as participating schools in 2013.

"One of the core ideas for the program was knowing that all of these metropolitan (colleges and) universities with field hockey teams existed right down the street from a young woman who may have never seen the sport. The mission became 'how can we use our sport to better the lives of girls living right next door?' "

The 14 NCAA field hockey programs will be asked to regularly report to USA field Hockey on participation numbers and mentorship hours for the remainder of the spring 2013 semester and the summer. The one which accumulates the most hours will be recognized in the fall.

"We are so very excited to team up with each of the fine (colleges and) universities to not only grow the game, but also improve the lives of young women living in at-risk environments," according to Steve Locke, USA Field Hockey exectuvie director. Locke went on to say that the selected programs possessed one of more of the following: an astonishingly strong commitment to community service, a clear comprehension of the program or a distinctive opportunity.