The University of West Georgia is making major additions to the athletic services it offers to students this year. Club Sports is a program that is gaining popularity across the state, as well as the nation among college and universities. The program allows students to organize and oversee the operations of their own sports programs with the support of their college or university.

There are numerous Club Sports leagues and associations across the nation in various amounts of sports from bass fishing to billiards. Brad Whittaker, associate director of programs at the UWG Campus Center has worked with other Club Sports programs and is now coordinating the new program for students at UWG.

“We are looking for students who are excited about and willing to put in the effort to start their own sports team,” Whittaker said.  UWG has yet to produce its first Club Sports team, but there are efforts to begin a cycling team at this time.

Rather than just competing against their fellow students in intramural sports, Club Sports teams compete against other collegiate and university sports teams on a state, regional, and national level.  The program has been gaining popularity and prestige for years and now many associations hold national championships in their respective sport.  Unlike the university sports programs, Club Sports offers students the opportunity to build and take control of their own sports program.  The students are responsible for team activities such as practices, competitions and executive decisions of their team.

“Club Sports teams get out of their program what they put into their program,” said Whittaker.

There is a specific process that must be followed in order be officially recognized by the Club Sports program.  Once a team has been started and is officially registered with the Club Sports program, the university will provide the needed funding for much of the team’s operations and equipment.

Each team will elect a president, vice president, treasurer and safety officer to serve their team.  Teams may be coached by students, but many programs at other colleges and universities hire professional coaches from outside of their student body.  Recruitment for any team is the responsibility of the student members of that team, but only students enrolled at the UWG Carrollton campus are allowed to participate in Club Sports.  There are no fees or dues that must be paid by students in order to participate in the program.

“The program is offered to all students enrolled at the UWG’s Carrollton Campus who wish to participate,” said Whittaker.

Club Sports is a unique opportunity for students to compete in sports that are not offered by the university, and for students to gain leadership skills from operating their own sports program.

To learn more about the Club Sports program and how to get involved, visit the University Recreation website at www.westga.edu/urec or visit the UREC Business office in Campus Center Room 202 for a Club Sports Application Packet.