On a hot August afternoon four years ago, Molly Feid, senior, stepped foot onto the dry summer grass for field hockey tryouts to play the sport for the first time. Not only did she make varsity as a freshman in high school, but she will be attending Saint Louis University in Missouri this fall to play Division 1 field hockey.

It is highly unusual for an inexperienced athlete to make a varsity team, but Feid improved tremendously just weeks after first picking up a stick. By the end of the season freshman year, she was playing in a majority of the varsity games.  Her field hockey career benefitted from her success in both varsity basketball and varsity outdoor track.

Despite Feid’s significant contributions to the team for four years she said, “Never would I have imagined myself playing a D1 sport due to the high level of competition, but given the opportunity to do something I love at that type of level is something I am incredibly excited for.” Feid’s experience with field hockey consisted of outstanding team bonding and an excellent coaching staff. Head coach Ms. Julie Maguire describes Feid as an “exceptional athlete” and “athletically gifted.” Feid was a co-captain of the team and was “well-respected because of her talent and her ability to effectively communicate,” said Maguire. “She was the perfect liaison between the coaches and her teammates.”

However, Division 1 is a significant step up from high school athletics. “The speed of the game and the competition will increase immensely,” Feid said. “It is most definitely [going to be] a challenge but I am looking forward to excelling who I am as a player at the next level.”

In addition to the increased intensity during competition time, the preseason requirements demand dedication from Feid throughout her entire summer. She will need to improve her speed, agility, and stick skills, as well as consistently running. After two months of individual preparation, Feid will officially move into her dorm at Saint Louis University on Aug. 8.  She has already spent two days with the team, who welcomed Feid with their charismatic personalities.

Feid especially admires their close relationship as a team. “I am definitely most excited about having a second family at school who all enjoy the same thing as me,” said Feid. “It will be nice to have people there who understand what I’ll be going through.”In addition to field hockey, Feid was drawn to Saint Louis University because of their excellence program for her major, Sports Business, as well as their other academic options and beautiful campus. Saint Louis University is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River and has another campus in Madrid, Spain.

Feid has accepted that she is not going to have a typical college experience, but said, “I really could not be more grateful [for this incredible opportunity] and I am more than excited to find out what my future holds.”

Division 1 schools that NKFH players have attended and played at:

Louisville

Boston University

James Madison

Quinnipiac

University of Rhode Island (3)

Sacred Heart

Brown (2)

Old Dominion

University of Vermont