FITCHBURG, MA: Fitchburg State University will send former student-athlete and current field hockey team student coach Carley McCaie (Templeton, MA) to the 2026 NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program, which occurs January 13-16 in conjunction with the 2026 NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C. McCaie will be only the second student from Fitchburg State to attend the program, the first being Mary Cardona-Foster in 2018. 

The NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program provides all-expenses-paid trips to the NCAA Convention for 40 Division III student-athletes to gain an inside look at the governance, leadership, and operations of Division III athletics. The program offers professional development, networking with leaders in college athletics, DiSC training, and mentorships to help build a diverse pipeline of future coaches and athletic administrators.

"Being selected for the NCAA Division III Student Immersion Program is such an incredible opportunity for me to be able to network and gain a lot of firsthand knowledge in collegiate athletics at the DIII level," McCaie said, "Getting the opportunity to experience everything the program has to offer, including mentorship opportunities is going to benefit me and my future career in athletics administration," she concluded. 

McCaie has been on the sidelines for the field hockey team this season as a student coach, having chosen to cut her playing career short due to injuries. As a business major who aspires to be an athletic administrator, she found a way to be part of the team that has meant so much to her for four years and gain firsthand experience in the coaching realm. This opportunity will help her gain the experience necessary for future employment after Fitchburg State.    

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