In the hills of Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University is home to over 600 student-athletes and 20 NCAA Division I teams, including Field Hockey. As one of the fastest growing athletic programs in the nation, the university is committed to excellence on the field and in the classroom. 

The Division I Field Hockey team, led by head coach Nikki Parsley-Blocker, sought a partner that could give student-athletes the tools to implement lasting behavioral changes into their daily lives, and the education to understand why it matters. 

Enter WHOOP Unite, the only comprehensive health and wellness solution that prepares student-athletes for holistic success through personalized insights, coaching, and education.

Transforming team culture with education

Nikki attended WHOOP Unite’s education sessions alongside her student-athletes, working closely with them to help them absorb the education and apply it to their team’s five pillars of success:

• Selfless: We before me.
• Accountable: Do what you say you will do.
• Relentless: Outwork and attack at all times.
• Free: Not held back by failure.
• Vulnerable: A willingness to show up and be seen.

Equipped with detailed insights about their sleep quality, consistency, and duration, as well as metrics related to strain and recovery like resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate variability (HRV), and respiratory rate, the student-athletes began making lifestyle changes to embody their team pillars more powerfully. This meant evaluating factors that could affect physical or mental performance on any given day, remaining attentive to why their bodies were reacting a certain way, and being proactive about asking for help.

Throughout the season, the Field Hockey players worked towards these goals together, helping them grow increasingly in tune with one another’s needs and ultimately improving their relationship as a team both on and off the field. 

Paving the way for future championships

In partnership with WHOOP Unite, this athletic program’s success has skyrocketed. The Flames Field Hockey team made it to the 2021 NCAA Division I National Championship title game — the first time in school history that any team at the university made it to the finals of a national championship. 

While there was a learning curve — and changing team culture didn’t happen overnight — the results demonstrate the value of partnering with WHOOP Unite, especially from the start of a student-athlete’s team career. From the moment players stepped on campus, student-athletes were encouraged by insights from WHOOP Unite and the Customer Success Program to understand and act on the key factors that impact their performance. In turn, they were able to see the impact of their growth at both the individual and group level, ultimately bringing them closer together as a team.