Club sports can serve as a social pipeline. It can also provide a competitive atmosphere where athletes who no longer have the time or skill level to play for Division-I programs can show off their skills while still enjoying the team environment. For many, it is a way to stay in shape and escape from the demands of school. Others enjoy traveling to other schools and cities outside of the Eugene bubble. These sports help make the school feel smaller than it is, making the sight of familiar faces around campus a norm. Here are some of the club sports the school offers:
Women’s Soccer
Women’s soccer is quickly becoming one of the most intense club sports on campus, as they aim to become more competitive in order to reach team goals. With a trip to nationals just out of reach last year, these girls are coming back hungry and ready to battle. Tryouts have already taken place, with 18 players making the traveling squad. The team is at somewhat of a disadvantage, however, because of Oregon’s quarter system. The majority of the teams they compete against are schools on the semester system, giving them earlier tryouts and more time to prepare. For the first time this year, a non-player will coach the team, with Andy Everett taking the lead. The girls are also fundraising, working as referees for youth soccer games to raise money for the team to travel and cover league costs. The team will try to implement this as a requirement for players so it can travel to play against stronger competition in California.
The first game will take place on the turf fields between the student recreation center and Hayward Field on Oct. 18, when they battle Oregon State.
Next Events
Men’s Lacrosse: | Scrimmage on the turf field on Friday, 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. |
Hockey: | Scrimmage at Lane Events Ice Rink on Friday, 7 p.m. |
Women’s Rugby: | Tournament at Riverfront Field on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
Softball: | UO vs. Idaho at Sheldon High School on Sunday, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. |
Tennis: | Tournament at the Student Tennis Center on Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
Women’s Lacrosse
The women’s club lacrosse team has been league champion for the past four seasons, and although it won last year, it was unable to attend nationals due to administrative problems in the league offices, leading to the loss of a bid. The team looks to repeat the success they had last year in order to get back to the national stage, expecting new and experienced players coming in and five players returning. The team will not hold a tryout, and will accept players at all skill levels. The team is still looking for a coach, but expects to hire one before the start of the season. The goal of the team is to have fun, learn the game, and to help make each other better at the sport.
If you would like to play, attend a meeting on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Metolius room of the EMU. Please give notice if you plan to attend by contacting Bailey Eckert at [email protected]. The team practices three times a week, starting Tuesday, 3 to 5 p.m. on the turf fields. Games will start up toward the end of winter term.
Surfing
The University’s club surf team is one that competes on an individual basis. There are no tryouts, but participants are required to join the Surfrider Foundation, which acts to conserve both waves and beaches all over the world. Whether you have surfed your entire life or you just want to learn, the surf team will accept you.
Tournaments are held mostly in the Northwest, but the team is looking to travel to California this year, where they hope to compete against stiffer competition, as well as to show residents Oregonians can surf, too. Competitions are scored by judges, who look for how well surfers can maneuver on the water. Points are scored in a variety of ways, but mostly by carving and moving vertically on the waves.
The team meets once a week for two to three hours, but participation of the team’s members is based on the individual. Oregon’s main competition, Oregon State, discontinued its team four years ago, but is attempting to make a comeback, which would also bring back team competitions.
Golf
The club golf team has both a competitive and non-competitive side. Last year, the team just missed in the regionals by losing a tiebreaker, overtime series that would have put them among the top three teams in the region, and also made them eligible for the trip to Las Vegas to compete against other top teams in the nation.
The team has no tryout, allowing whoever wants to play to do so. However, if players are looking to be competitive, there are qualifying matches a week before tournaments, so the team can send its best six or seven players.
The team revolves around having fun, serving as a gathering point for people with a like interest who want to play golf and have people to play with. If you are interested in playing, contact Brandon Sams at [email protected]. The next meeting will be Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. at the River Ridge Golf Course. The team is coed.
Men’s Hockey
The men’s club hockey team is one of the most competitive teams on campus. It practices two to three times a week, with games every weekend from week three of fall term until week six of winter term. The team is even competitive within itself, having only six to nine players that get consistent ice time with a roster including 26 players.
Last year, the team won the Pac-8, but failed to make it to the national level, losing the second regional finals game after beating Long Beach. They look to take the Pac-8 yet again, and this time win both games in the regionals to make it to the national tournament.
The team is highly committed this year, with the work ethic of the upperclassmen rubbing off on the younger players. They have been seen staying after practice for up to 45 minutes to improve their games.
Hockey is not only fun to play with the club, but also entertaining to watch. The team’s first games are against rival USC on Oct. 24 and 25.
Women’s Volleyball
Last year, the women’s club volleyball team finished eighth in its bracket at nationals, losing with 150 teams participating. They had a player-coach then, but will look to take their team up a notch by hiring a coach this season. This year the expectation is that the team will make it back to the national tournament, where they will attempt their biggest goal of winning the title.
The team is very flexible with school schedules, allowing players to miss practice, and if excused, not see a drop in playing time. Although the team does travel a decent amount, this is one of the easier club sports to balance with school.
Tryouts for the team will be held in the Gerlinger Annex Gym on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. The team will hold 12 to 15 players, so be ready to compete. No returning players are guaranteed a spot.
[email protected]