Many high school athletes dream of going on to play sports in college and beyond. Unfortunately, this dream doesn’t come true for everyone, but you don’t have to play at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level to stay involved in sports after high school graduation.
In fact, many club sports in college are governed by the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), a nonprofit organization that promotes intramural and club athletics. Club sports, unlike intramurals, allow students to compete against teams from other schools and even have national championships.
Today’s article will explain what club sports are in college, how they operate, and the many benefits of club sports in college.
Did you know that UB offers NCAA Division II athletics? Learn more about how you can get involved here!
What are Club Sports?
Club sports are intercollegiate athletic teams funded and often founded by a university or college’s students. They will also likely, though not always, be sponsored by a college or university and have a lot more organization regarding leagues, competition, coaches, and structure.
For example, like intramurals, club sports may be organized by different academic schools within the college, fraternities, sororities, housing units, and various interest clubs or groups. Unlike intramurals, college sports are more competitive and require tryouts to work and play with other skilled student-athletes and coaches.
Students can expect a similar time commitment to club sports as they had in high school sports. Generally, club sports teams practice two to three times per week and spend the weekends traveling to games.
Any competitive activity can become a club sport, depending on the college or university and how it is funded.
These can include:
- Basketball
- Soccer
- Water polo
- Cycling
- Tennis
- Football
- Rugby
- Soccer
- eSports
- Bowling
Like athletes in NCAA sports, club sports athletes must ensure they can balance their workload for classes with their athletic commitments.
How Do Club Sports Operate?
Club sports play organized competitions and tournaments against other colleges and universities in their conference for a regular season.
Furthermore, depending on the sport, the tournaments decide who advances to regionals, where the highest-ranked teams play against one another. From regionals, the first- and -second-place teams move on to the World Series, where colleges and universities from all over the country compete in a three-day tournament.
In addition to tryouts, students must often be in school full-time, pay membership dues, and apply to participate in club sports. Club sports teams can also be funded through grants from the city and sports club offices. Interested students should always check the athletic department’s website for sports offered, tryout dates, and other information.
Three Benefits of Playing Club Sports
Playing sports helps individuals learn commitment, focus, and teamwork and builds lifelong friendships with other athletes. With club sports, students continue to benefit from team sports after high school.
#1: Foster Responsibility and Leadership Skills
Though less intense than NCAA-level collegiate sports, club sports require immense levels of responsibility and leadership from their players, especially since they are primarily run by college students. In fact, many club sports teams have executive boards and coaches to help run the team.
These boards and coaches give up their time for practices and tournaments and must instill respect in their teammates to create a stronger and more successful team.
#2: Making New and Long-lasting Friends
Making friends in college can be challenging as students may not know anyone at their chosen school. With club sports, students join and spend much time with a team who becomes their closest friends.
Students spend time together practicing, eating meals, traveling to tournaments, late nights in hotels, and early mornings before games. Plus, students may even live next to teammates in dorms or apartments.
All of which allow students to bond, connect, and form long-lasting friendships on and off the field.
#3: Play for the Love of the Sport
Club sports are competitive, but they are also much more relaxed than collegiate athletics. Sometimes, they are even more flexible than high school sports because you are not constantly worried about obtaining a scholarship or making it to a state championship.
College students playing club sports are not likely looking to make a career out of the sport. Instead, this organized event allows them to focus on their love of their chosen sport at a higher level.
And no matter the level, sports and athletics are supposed to be fun, and club sports do a great job of reminding students of this importance.
Students who participated in sports in high school do not have to give up their dreams just because they did not make it to the varsity sport level.
With club sports, students can continue playing the sport they love, stay active, develop personal skills, foster friendships, and even represent their school. University of Bridgeport supports a wide range of sports participation, from NCAA Division II teams to club sports and intramurals.
Through these programs, we encourage wellness among University of Bridgeport’s students, faculty, and staff community. Together we focus on integrating mind and body through positive traditional and non-traditional recreation and sports activities.
Contact UB today to learn more about club sports organizations and facilities. Pursue your love for sports as a proud Purple Knight!