NEW LONDON, Conn. — Connecticut College has hired Ryley van der Velde '17 as head coach of the field hockey program, as announced by Director of Athletics Mo White on Thursday.

A graduate of Conn College who played four years of field hockey for the Camels, van der Velde has spent the last three years as head coach at Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, Va. She will become the seventh coach in the program's history when she officially begins on April 7.

"I am incredibly excited to be returning to my alma mater and the program that shaped my passion for this sport," said van der Velde. "I am thrilled to pour into our field hockey program and build with this passionate group of student athletes. These young women believe in Connecticut College Field Hockey and the future of CCFH, as do I and all of the alumni who stand with us. I want to thank Mo White for this opportunity. I can't wait to carry this program forward."

Van der Velde inherits a Conn College program that finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 6-10 (3-7 NESCAC). The Camels qualified for the NESCAC Championship for the first time since 2012, and the three conference wins were the most since 2016.

"I am thrilled to welcome Ryley back to the Camel family as the new head coach of women's field hockey," said White. "Her passion for Conn and our field hockey program is exactly what the program needs to take it to the next level. Ryley has done an amazing job at Virginia Wesleyan to turn that program around, but more importantly, she is so highly regarded by coaching peers, administrators, and her athletes, and that is a testament to her as an incredible coach and person. I know our department, athletes, alumni, and friends of Conn field hockey are excited for the next chapter."

Van der Velde transformed the Virginia Wesleyan program in her short time at the helm. This past season the Marlins posted their highest win total since 2005, finishing the year with a 12-7 overall record that included a 4-4 mark in the competitive Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The squad qualified for the ODAC Tournament for the first time since 2016, and garnered an ECAC Championship bid for the first time in school history.

Under van der Velde's watch, Virginia Wesleyan produced six All-ODAC selections over the past three seasons, including three in 2024. Her most recent freshmen class included a goalie who earned both ODAC and ECAC Rookie of the Year honors.

Prior to joining the Marlins, van der Velde coached at Rocky Hill Country Day School in East Greenwich, R.I., and served as an assistant coach at Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. With the Seahawks, she was responsible for individual skills, player development, and academic success, and she was also involved in program operations, formulating practice plans, and planning film breakdown and evaluation sessions. 

A native of Louisville, Ky., van der Velde played four seasons of field hockey as a goalkeeper for the Camels from 2013-16. In 42 career games she recorded 252 saves and posted four shutouts while sporting a 0.689 save percentage. A team captain in both her junior and senior seasons, she was also named to the NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team three times in her career.   

Van der Velde received a bachelor's degree in Human Development from Connecticut College and a master's degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from Salve Regina University.