Not a Division I athlete? Not a problem.
Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or just someone who likes the outdoors, Saint Louis University has much to offer.
The 21 sport clubs at SLU have nearly 700 members. It’s becoming the latest athletic craze on campus.
“I think that every student should be able to participate in something they enjoy,” said Sam Kelner, coordinator of Intramurals and Sport Clubs. “We try to provide a way to fulfill that need.”
This fall, over 122 teams-almost 2,000 students-signed up for intramurals in sports like flag football, soccer, softball and volleyball. It’s the sports clubs, however, that have blossomed in recent years. There were only six sport clubs at SLU when Kelner took over as Coordinator four years ago. There are over three times that today. Ice Hockey, Rugby and Ultimate Frisbee are three of the more visible sport clubs on campus. Crew, Cycling and the Outdoors Club are not as well known. Yet.
The Crew Club, started this semester through Lisa Yellin’s efforts, already has 50 members, including six on the waiting list. But it didn’t happen so easily: “Last semester it didn’t work out at all,” said Yellin. “We couldn’t find equipment, a coach or anywhere to row.”
That’s when Kelner entered the picture. Never wanting to turn down a potential club, he made a few calls over winter break and found all the necessities that the club lacked first semester. Scott Allison of the St. Louis Rowing Club agreed to coach, and his club provided the facilities and equipment as well. Students quickly showed interest and the club began making strides. For now, the team is just practicing. And practicing.
While the club has yet to hit the water at Creve Coeur Lake, they have begun training at the St. Louis Rowing Club. Starting at 6 a.m. three days a week, the club is learning how to row on indoor machines called ergs. With friendly races against Wash U. in the future, the Crew Club is looking forward to next year when it will begin serious competition.
The Cycling Club, a member of the National Collegiate Cycling Association, has already begun its season. Composed of around 30 members and 14 serious racers, the club trains four days per week, biking 50 miles each day. Last Saturday, the Cycling Club raced at Miami (Ohio) and then again on Sunday in Indianapolis. The club travels 10 weekends in the spring, with Kentucky up next this weekend. They race against schools like Wisconsin, Purdue, DePaul, Michigan and Indiana. Relatively unknown at SLU, cycling is making a name for itself across the country.
“It’s the fastest growing club sport in the nation,” said Chris Brewer, a member of SLU’s team.
With traveling comes expenses, so the Cycling Club has had to find sponsors. The Student Government Association has provided funds, but Earthgrains and Big Shark Bicycle’s also help foot the bill.
Right now, the club’s goal is to race well every weekend. However, hopes of qualifying for nationals looms in the future.
Just like the Cycling Club, the Outdoor Club travels too. They just don’t face any competition. The Outdoor Club will head to the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico for spring break. Backpacking up to 35 miles and visiting White Sands National Monument is on the agenda for the week.
The club has gone backpacking in Arizona, visiting three national parks. On the trip, their desert tour got interrupted when they encountered a mountain lion. The cat protected their tent, sleeping next to it throughout the night. Morning came and everything was fine; most of the trips go as planned. The club has also gone to Florida and Tennessee.
Around SLU, the Outdoor Club has weekend adventures about two times a month. A caving expedition and a horseback-riding trip are planned for this spring.
With SLU’s sport clubs, there’s much to offer.
Not a Division I athlete? Not a problem.
