NCAA LSDBi

Division I Proposal - 2026-38

RECRUITING -- NOTIFICATION OF TRANSFER -- FIELD HOCKEY -- UNDERGRADUATE WINDOW

Status: Adopted Final

Intent: In field hockey, to specify that an undergraduate student-athlete may initiate the notification of transfer process during a 30 consecutive-day period beginning the Tuesday after the Division I Field Hockey Championship game, or May 1-15.

Bylaws: Amend 13.1.1.4, as follows:

13.1.1.4 Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes. An athletics staff member or other representative of the institution's athletics interests shall not communicate or make contact with the student-athlete of another NCAA Division I institution, or any individual associated with the student-athlete (e.g., family member, scholastic or nonscholastic coach, advisor), directly or indirectly, without first obtaining authorization through the notification of transfer process. Before making contact, directly or indirectly, with a student-athlete of an NCAA Division II or Division III institution, or an NAIA four-year collegiate institution, an athletics staff member or other representative of the institution's athletics interests shall comply with the rule of the applicable division or the NAIA rule for making contact with a student-athlete. [See Bylaw 19.1.3-(f).]

13.1.1.4.1 Notification of Transfer -- Undergraduate Student-Athletes -- Sports Other Than Football. In sports other than football, a student-athlete may initiate the notification of transfer process by providing the student-athlete's institution with a written notification of transfer and completing an educational module related to transferring. Notification of transfer must be initiated during a period specified for the applicable sport (see also Figure 13-1). If notification of transfer is provided during a specified period, the student-athlete's institution shall enter the student-athlete's information into the national transfer database within two business days of receipt of a written notification of transfer from the student-athlete or receipt of confirmation of the student-athlete's completion of the educational module, whichever occurs later. [D]

(a) Fall Sports Other Than Field Hockey and Football. In fall sports other than field hockey and football, a student-athlete must provide written notification of transfer during:

[13.1.1.4.1-(a)-(1) through 13.1.1.4.1-(a)-(2) unchanged.]

(b) Field Hockey. In field hockey, a student-athlete must provide written notification of transfer during:

(1) A 30 consecutive-day period beginning the Tuesday immediately following the Division I Field Hockey Championship game; or

(2) May 1-15.

[13.1.1.4.1-(b) through 13.1.1.4.1-(j) relettered as 13.1.1.4.1-(c) through 13.1.1.4.1-(k), unchanged.]

[13.1.1.4.1.1 unchanged.]

[13.1.1.4.2 through 13.1.1.4.9 unchanged.]

Source: Division I Field Hockey Oversight Committee

Effective Date:Immediate

Proposal Category: Amendment

Topical Area: Recruiting

Rationale: This proposal focuses on student-athlete well-being and maintains focus on postseason competition. Additionally, it avoids external pressures on student-athletes and coaches during the NCAA championship and aligns with the NCAA best practice of protecting championship environments. Lastly, it aligns with other Division I sports that recently adopted similar changes, opening notification of transfer windows after NCAA championships.

Estimated Budget Impact: Varies by institution.

Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.

History

Apr 23, 2026: In Progress The Field Hockey Oversight Committee introduced the proposal. The committee recommends that the Cabinet adopt the proposal as expedited legislation during its June 23-24, 2026, meeting.
Jun 24, 2026: Adopted Final Adopted by the Cabinet as expedited legislation.

Legislative References

Division Number Title
I 13.1.1.4 Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes.
I 13.1.1.4.1 Notification of Transfer -- Undergraduate Student-Athletes -- Sports Other Than Football.
References