ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ

Competitive club sports are student-led organizations that engage in structured competition against external opponents, such as other collegiate club teams, often through regional or national leagues. While affiliation with a National Governing Body (NGB) or sport-specific association is encouraged to enhance competitive opportunities and alignment with national standards, it is not mandatory. These clubs typically conduct tryouts, recruit student-athletes, and work with coaches or instructors to support skill development and team success. Teams often maintain a rigorous schedule, including regular practices, off-campus travel, and participation in scheduled competitions throughout the defined season. As such, involvement in competitive clubs usually requires a higher level of time commitment, organizational responsibility, and personal or team financial investment. 

• Competitive clubs compete against outside competition, usually other collegiate clubs, as part of a structured regional or national league.
• Competitive club sports must be part of a National Governing Body or Association.
• They may have recruited members or a tryout process to become a member.
• They may have coaches, will travel to compete off-campus, and conduct regularly scheduled practices.
• Competitive club sports may also involve a greater financial commitment and time commitment, both in number of days per week and a longer period for the season.

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 Assistant Director of Competitive Sports and Outdoor Facilities. 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 Assistant Director of Competitive Sports and Outdoor Facilities as needed; schedule their own practices and games, and may hire their own coaches/instructors with the approval of the Assistant Director of Competitive Sports and Outdoor Facilities.

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.

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 Braeden Mueller, Assistant Director of Competitive Sports and Outdoor Facilities (Bmuelle9@kent.edu).

The Assistant Director of Competitive Sports and Outdoor Facilities. 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.