A number of OU club sports are gearing up for another season of play this upcoming fall. Whether it be the relatively new football team, the men’s Division I ice hockey team, or even the ballroom dance club, there are plenty of options for students to either participate in or watch.

The purpose of these club sports at OU is to provide members of the campus community the opportunity to participate in sports and activities that promote socialization, physical activity and lifetime fitness and wellness practices.

There are numerous ways to joining club sports, and most of the information can be found through Grizzorgs. Ted Tansley, program assistant for club sports and president of the Rugby club, says the best way for students to see if they want to join a club is to go to a practice or meeting.

“Any student on the edge of joining a club sport or any student organization should go to a practice or meeting,” Tansley said. “Do not just watch the club from the outside and make your judgments if it is right for you.”

Along with playing in different club sports, students also have an opportunity to be an officer within a club sport. This gives students the opportunity to develop leadership, organizational and administrative skills. The four areas require for every club include president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

Club sports are open to all current Oakland University undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in at least one credit. Non-students, employees or alumi are also able to join various club sports but must be 18 years of age, and for clubs that utilize the Recreation Center, they must purchase a semester membership.

The number of club sports has continued to grow over the last several years, as four brand new clubs have opened in the last two years alone. A club that has garnered a lot of attention is the football club. Entering its second year, Tansley thinks that the new club draws people attention to club sports in general.

“It really brings an eye to club sports as a whole and I feel people know more about the department as a result. It’s exciting to see a sport come to campus that has been denied to us for over 50 years,” he said.  

Many of the club sports, including football, will have access to the new outdoor complex opening in October, which will be a great draw for students and athletes alike.

For more information on any of the club sports at OU, students can go to oakland.edu/campusrec/clubs or their respective Grizzorgs website.