Many high-school athletes are disappointed once they arrive at college to find that their university of choice doesn’t offer the sport to which they had previously dedicated their high-school lives. Possibly worse is the student who finds out that their level of skill doesn’t cut it for a Division-1 level team. Luckily for those students who don’t want to give up their high school athletic passions besides the 14 D-1 teams Pepperdine showcases there are also nine intercollegiate club sports teams open to any student who wants to compete: equestrian men’s lacrosse women’s lacrosse rugby men’s soccer surfing triathlon ultimate and women’s water polo. Club sport teams are affiliated with a university but not necessarily managed by it giving the teams a lot of autonomy. Club sports and D-1 sports teams share many similarities in the social and competitive opportunities they allow. Possibly most importantly both D-1 and club teams foster relationships within the Pepperdine community as well as relationships between Pepperdine and other competing universities.
In regards to the social aspect while D-1 sports teams are constantly maintaining a rigorous recruitment process long before the athletes arrive on campus as freshman club sport teams are created after students arrive on campus. While this may seem like a hindrance to the development of club teams it has the advantage that it allows for the opportunity to participate in a sport with existing friends. These conditions create friendships and bonds through commonality. Club teams are also open to novices and are a great way for students to explore a new intrigue.
Participation in a club team can sometimes be frustrating though as the athletes are not as recognized as D-1 athletes. Junior Morgan Walsh member of the women’s lacrosse team said her club team “lack[s] the recognition [they] deserve due to the lack of publicity or credibility. We have some amazing victories Walsh said, and they seem to go unnoticed.”
Club sports and D-1 sports also have some differences within the social and competitive opportunities that they offer. D-1 sports are more structured because they are run by the university. At the same time D-1 sports are part of a league or conference such as the West Coast Conference or the National Collegiate Athletic Association which also dictates rules and regulations. These leagues and conferences are centered around creating competition opportunities in the form of tournaments and season games all of which are highly regulated.. While they may be lower on the competitive school intercollegiate club sports have more of a recreational use and provide more instructional opportunities.
Recreationally club sports provide students the space to exercise under structured conditions with fellow students who enjoy the same activity. Club sports also allow players with all levels of experience to participate. Whether novice or expert everyone is encouraged and welcomed. While providing structure they also provide more flexibility than D-1 teams in terms of scheduling. When asked about club sports junior Freddy Banales member of the rugby team said they “have a lot of freedom when it comes to practices events and team meetings. It kind of becomes like a fraternity; you realize that everyone out there is doing it because they want to.” Club teams at Pepperdine do face some adversities. Because club teams are not sponsored by the university the same way a D-1 team may be there are no club team scholarships available to students. The lack of university participation in club teams is also seen in the lack of adult or faculty leadership roles. Some teams are completely student-led and at times even lack adult coaches.
Casey Gilliam the Campus Recreation coordinator and club sports advisor agrees that some of the disadvantages club sports face lie in the fact that there’s a lot more leg work involved since the teams have to organize all aspects of the sport that they are playing.
“Overcoming scheduling issues and staying committed to practices” was something the rugby team struggles with Banales said.
And player commitment isn’t the only problems club teams face. There are oftentimes challenges in regards to the limited amount of field space available on campus. Club teams have to coordinate themselves so as to set up practice times that won’t interfere with each other and D-1 sports. Even if club teams do manage to obtain field space and time, often they are not in the ideal location to practice. Such is the case of the ultimate team, whose practices are divided between Intramural Field and Alumni Park. As one can imagine, the fact that Alumni Park is right next to Pacific Coast Highway and the fact that it is an uneven field makes for less than desirable practice conditions. Junior Devon Walker, vice president and captain of the ultimate team, mentioned that getting field space is a constant battle. Regardless of some of the disadvantages club sports face, Gillam still believes there are more benefits, and encourages student to participate, referring to the fact that they allow students to participate in sports without the large time commitment, thus allowing students to also be involved in other aspects of college life.
Club sports teams display a different form of dedication from students who have a sincere interest in the success of their team, but at times receive less recognition than D-1 teams when they win a game or tournament. These teams require committed students who are willing to work and play hard to make competitions happen. At the end of the day, students participate simply for the love of the sport.
I love that we are serious and committed to our sport which is our passion but also allow school and other priorities to fit in too Walsh said. It’s a great combination.”