Five Reasons You Should Join A Club Sport
I’ve always been passionate about soccer. I grew up kicking the ball with my friends and played competitively for high school and club teams.
Once I came to Auburn University, I found Auburn Men’s Club Soccer to be the perfect opportunity for me to get involved on campus. If you want to join a club sports team, your first step is to create an account on AUinvolve. You can search the name of the organization, club, or event under the search tab.
Currently, there are more than 20 sports clubs, and any (undergraduate or graduate) student is eligible to participate. The process to get onto the team varies from club to club. In soccer, for example, the club hosts tryouts for two or three days. All you need to do is to sign up on AUinvolve and pay the tryout fees (usually around $15).
Involvement
Getting involved, although time-consuming, provides a break from schoolwork, may help alleviate stress, and make your college experience more enjoyable and balanced. College students who are involved in activities are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and better adjust to college life. Especially if you are a freshman, this could be a great way to get to know Auburn.
Wellness & Physical Activity
It’s common for college students to become less active than they were in high school. If this sounds like you, then club sports is just what you need! Being on a team and participating in a group activity you enjoy makes it easier to stay motivated. Physical activity is critical for your physical and mental health. Club sports usually practice three times a week and play tournaments on the weekends.
New Friends
When you join a team, you join a family. Joining a club sports team gives you a great way to socialize, cultivate friendships, and create lifelong memories. Joining a club sports team is just one way to open the door of friendship with people that love the same sport as you.
Leadership Opportunities
As you become more involved in clubs and organizations at college, you might want to take on a more significant role and volunteer for a leadership position. Taking on a leadership role not only may help prepare you for future jobs and boost your resume, but it also teaches you how to motivate and work with others. I joined the club team in spring 2018, and I’ve been the president since fall 2021. I can tell you I’ve learned and grown so much as a player and a person. Not only have I found friendships, this opportunity equipped me with management skills for my future career.
Representing the University
One of my favorite parts of playing for a club team is traveling and playing in tournaments around the country. We have regional tournaments where we play against other universities in our conference. It’s competitive, and if we do well, we play in nationals. Last year, our team made it to nationals, and we traveled to Richmond, Virginia. This was an incredible opportunity to represent the university as a student-athlete, and I will always remember the games and trips with my teammates.
From a club player to your phone or computer screen, I am urging you to consider club sports! I can honestly say I wouldn't be the same person without it, and I am so thankful for the experiences Auburn Club Soccer has provided me with during my college journey.
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Roberto F.
