Club Sports

A club sport is a student organization formed by students with a common interest and desire to participate in a specific sport or activity. Club sports are not regulated by the NCAA and do not include intercollegiate or varsity sports. Some clubs can be highly competitive and compete in conferences and leagues with other colleges and universities while others may be instructional or recreational in nature. The Club Sports Program is designed to promote and develop the interests and skills of individuals in different sports or recreational activities. The program provides competitive, instructional and recreational activities for students, faculty and staff. The program emphasizes student leadership development, a sense of community and provides fun and enjoyment to supplement the college experience.  

COMPETITIVE (TRADITIONAL & RECREATIONAL) 

• Team oriented by nature, competing in traditionally organized sporting events as a team.  
• Traditional clubs compete in tournaments, leagues, etc., and are  required to have a fee based sanction or membership in a national, regional, or state association. These clubs typically compete in  conference-type play and are required to travel a minimum of three (3) times per semester (many seasonally).
• Recreational clubs may compete in shows, tournaments, and games as well as informal or random events that are not set to a specific competitive schedule. Generally travel three (3) times or less per semester or are seasonal activities.
• Require members to pay dues for membership in the club and may require individual membership in a national or regional organization.  
• May be required to have a fee based sanction/membership in a national, regional or state association.  
• May have potential member’s try-out to become a member, and may charge try-out fees.  
• Require members to provide personal equipment.  

SPECIAL INTEREST (RECREATIONAL)

• Individual/dual oriented activities in nature but may be team oriented
• Non-competitive in nature and may be instructional based activities.  
• Are not required to have a fee based sanction/membership in a national, regional or state association.  
• Generally travel only for special events or seasonal activities.  
• May require members to pay dues or fees for activities and do not require individual memberships in a national or regional organization.

MARTIAL ARTS

• Individual oriented in nature and have goals of individual fitness / wellness or self defense instruction
• Noncompetitive in nature and may be instructional based activities.  
• Generally only request space to meet for their activities.  
• Rarely travel, and only for special events.  
• May require members to pay dues for club membership and instruction.  

INTEREST GROUPS 

• New to Kent State University and are trying to become established and recognized for their activity.
• Individual/dual or team oriented
• Competitive or non-competitive in nature and may have an instructional based component.  
• May or may not be required to have a fee based sanction/ membership in a national, regional or state association.  
• May or may not travel.  
• May require members to pay dues or fees for activities and do not require individual memberships in a national or regional organization.  
• Interest groups will complete a minimum of one (1) semester as an interest group before they may apply for full club status. 

Other than the pure enjoyment of the sport or the thrill of competition; sport clubs offer essential lifelong learning skills in organization, management, budget planning, leadership as well as many other transferable skills for your careers after college.

All the contact information for each club sport is listed on our website.  We recommend reaching out to the contact person(s) to get more information and let them know if you are interested.  You can find out what you need to do to become part of the club sport team.

While some club sports have coaches, most are completely student-driven with advisement from coaches, advisers, and the Club Sports Director. Club sports are unique sports entities because all of the organizational duties are performed by the student leaders and are self-managed through a team of student officers with positions including President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc. Club sports prepare their own budgets, with the assistance of the Club Sports Director as needed; schedule their own practices and games, and may hire their own coaches/instructors with the approval of the Club Sports Director.

Some competitive traveling clubs have try-outs and others have an open membership. Competitive traveling clubs that have tryouts may have limitations on roster size imposed by conference or governing body rules.

Most clubs have some sort of participation fees, require fundraising time by members and/or solicit sponsorship or donations to assist with the clubs’ budget. A limited amount of funds are allocated annually to assist the clubs’ reach their goals, but most of clubs’ finances come through dues, fundraising or sponsorship/donations.

The Club Sports Council consists of a club officer from each of the recognized sport clubs. The council meets at least twice per semester up to monthly to discuss topics related to sport clubs, receive training in risk management and other safety related issues as well as other topics related to running a sport club. An Executive Board is in development and will consist of elected club leaders to serve as the leaders of the  Club Sports Council and meet to discuss policies, approve new clubs or interest groups, allocate funding to clubs, disciplinary actions, fundraising opportunities, community service and social events for all clubs to attend.

Any student organization may be started through the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) process. Once a club is approved by CSI, leaders may seek club sport status by filling out a Club Sport Application form and submitting it to Jim Underwood, Associate Director of Competitive Sports, at junderw3@kent.edu.

The Club Sports Director reserves the right to deny application which is determined to be of high risk to participants, may pose negative publicity to the club sports program, may not serve the interests of the department, may conflict with similar programs offered, may not be financially self-sufficient, or would place an unnecessary stress on other programs currently offered by Recreation and Wellness Services.