Club sports are tailored to student interests

Say Pittsburg State and competition in the same sentence and most people will think of PSU’s high-profile athletic teams. The 11 men’s and women’s teams in football, basketball, baseball, softball, cross country, volleyball, track and field, and golf represent the university well year in and year out.

But these aren’t the only teams that proudly wear the crimson and gold. Each year many students participate in a wide variety of club sports or teams. The teams vary each year, depending on the student interest.

Brian Peery, a member of and adviser to Gorillahead  Rugby, said the team has been on campus since the early ‘70s.

“Currently, we have about 25 players,” Peery said. “There are about 15 undergraduates, five  alumni and about five community members.”

Peery said that just because rugby is a club sport doesn’t mean the members don’t work hard.

“We practice as a team from 4:30-7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and there is a training regimen that players are supposed to follow in the off season,” Peery said. In addition, the team plays about 16 matches over the fall and spring schedules.

Club sports closely follow student interests and clubs tend to pop up when enough students with a shared interest come together. For example, last year the PSU Bass Fishing Club organized and began competing in bass fishing contests throughout the Midwest. A new Lacrosse Club this year joined well-established groups like the Cycling Club, Soccer Club, Kin-Ball Club and Karate Club.

University officials say club sports give students opportunities to pursue their competitive interests, meet people who share those interests and venues in which to learn and sharpen leadership skills.

For a list of current PSU student organizations, including clubs and club sports:
http://www.pittstate.edu/union/organizations/

---Pitt State---