Bekah Andrews initially developed an interest in crew while her older brother competed at Washington State University.
Two years ago, she went into the club sports office and, soon after, began rowing for the first time. Andrews, an art major at the University, moved up the ranks from novice to varsity in just one year, and is
currently serving as the crew team’s club
sports coordinator.
“I work with the coach, by basically handling all of the behind the scenes stuff,” she said. “I prepare them for all the races, sign up for the races, take care of transportation, and clothing.”
The Club Sports department will host an open house on Thursday in the EMU’s Fir Room at 6 p.m. Any student interested in participating can learn about important dates, schedules and fees and will have an opportunity to talk with the students who have been involved in club sports.
Approximately 1,200 students participate every year in club sports that range from the newly created archery team to the more established men’s lacrosse team, which has qualified for the national tournament the past three years, said Club Sports Office Manager Shawn Rubino.
In addition to archery, other newly introduced teams beginning their first year
include: softball, water skiing and bass fishing. Men’s and women’s soccer, dance, lacrosse, volleyball, water polo, wushu and baseball all have already been established and have competed for national titles.
Last year’s men’s baseball team advanced to the National Club Baseball Association’s World Series in Niles, Ohio, before falling to the University of Colorado, just one game shy of playing in the championship game.
Men’s soccer, ice hockey and lacrosse will all begin tryouts or practice this week, while baseball, dance and women’s soccer will hit the practice field beginning next Monday.
Jason Modahl, a junior, has been involved with the men’s soccer team since his freshman year and will assume the coordinating duties for the first time this year.
The soccer team will begin play on Saturday against William Jessup on the turf field located next to the Student Recreation Center and will again play on Sunday against Western Oregon University in
Monmouth, Ore.
“I became involved because I have played soccer all my life, and wanted to find a way to continue playing,” Modahl said.
Freshman Robby Dunn-Bernstein said he has been a member of the state of Oregon’s lacrosse team for the past two years, and that his reasons for attending the University went beyond its academics.
“Being able to keep playing lacrosse or some other club sport was definitely a factor in my decision to attend the University,” Dunn-Bernstein said.
Club sports are accessible to all students of all skill levels. Experienced athletes like Dunn-Bernstein are welcome, while Andrews was welcomed to the crew team without ever rowing before. Andrews said she became involved because of her brother and looks forward to rowing with him someday.
“I would really like to go out in a boat with my brother, but I haven’t actually done so yet,” Andrews said.