For some, involvement in a club sport is a learning opportunity. For others, it’s a fun way to continue competitive play after high school sports. For all students in a club sport, it’s for the absolute love of the game.

There are 14 different sport clubs through NIU that offer opportunities to students to learn a new sport or continue in one they love. The clubs range from equestrian to women’s rugby.

As a member of NIU women’s rugby, I consider the most beneficial aspect of a club sport to be the social gains.

Rugby has a unique method of competition in which we aim to hurt the other team on the field and to gain friendship later at the after party. In this way, competitive club sports allow NIU students to gain friends across the state.

Unlike intramural sports, which are organized and maintained by Recreation Services, sport clubs are created and managed by students.

With early registration, scholarship opportunities, free medical trainers and more recognition, students in NCAA sports might lose sight of the real purpose of joining a team.

Jackie Lancaster, senior textiles and merchandising major, spent her first two years at NIU on the women’s softball team. Now, she has been in rugby for almost two years, since leaving NIU softball, and notices the huge difference between the two types of sports.

“NCAA pretty much runs your life during the school year,” Lancaster said of being a varsity athlete in her freshman and sophomore years.

As the president of NIU women’s rugby, Lancaster says she relies on the team a lot and while being president is hard work, she loves it. Lancaster said of her position as president, “I am a very determined person and I care about the directions rugby is going within our club and in the U.S. area in general.”

Athletes in club sports are there because they want to be. Harry Chipeta, sophomore political science major and member of the men’s soccer club, said he joined the club team for the love of the game and “to have something more to do every day besides just school.”

Rugby practice is certainly the highlight of my Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Through rugby, I now have friends across the state and the Midwest.

Although building a new club sport seems like a daunting task, if you cannot find your interest on the Sport Club Web site, then the whole purpose of the program, “to serve individual interests in different sports and recreational activities,” is lost.

The Web site has the simple steps it takes to form one’s own sport club.

Joining rugby the fall of my freshman year was the best decision of my college career so far. College is all about finding your niche, and I’ve found mine in a club sport that holds the individual responsible for choosing the amount of dedication and commitment he or she puts forth.

To get involved or find out more about intramural sports, visit http://www.stuaff.niu.edu/rs/SCForms.shtml.