BGSU - Bowling Green State University
10/31/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2024 13:26
Robust BGSU club sports offerings elevate student experience and success
BGSU sponsors more than 40 club sports teams that allow students to continue playing competitive sports while pursuing their degrees. (BGSU photo)
Robust BGSU club sports offerings elevate student experience and success
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High school athletes can continue athletics career with a competitive club sport while obtaining their degrees
For a high school athlete who loves to play their sport, enrolling in college doesn't have to be the end of their career.
In fact, for students who choose Bowling Green State University, college can be a new chapter with new competitive sports challenges.
As the No. 1 public university in Ohio for student experience, BGSU is home to a robust club sports scene that empowers students to attend a Division I school, pursue high-level degrees and still play their sport. During the 2023-24 academic year, more than 700 students were part of a club sports team.
"For the serious high school athlete who might not be a Division I player or just doesn't want the full commitment of a sport, playing a club sport can fill that void," BGSU Director of Club Sports Bill Switaj said. "You're playing a competitive sport against other universities and don't have to give up a passion, so you can get that sports experience while going to BGSU and having access to a lot of great academic programs at the same time."
Club sports are a popular way to have the best of all worlds. A student who knows they are interested in business, architecture, computer science, aviation, water-quality research, or education, for example, can attend BGSU knowing they have accredited degree programs and also a school big enough to support an athletic team in their chosen sport.
As of Fall 2024, BGSU is home to 17 men's and women's club sports teams as well as another 24 co-ed teams in sports such as powerlifting, curling, equestrian and dodgeball.
Club sports also can be a way to try a new sport, as many BGSU students have with the highly successful and celebrated rugby programs.
BGSU has sponsored women's rugby for more than 40 years, and the men's team is one of the most successful club sports operations in the U.S., having won the National Collegiate National Championship in 2018.
Though most Americans don't grow up playing the sport, rugby is often a vehicle for BGSU students to do something competitive and make lifelong friends in the process.
"We have this saying that anybody can play rugby," women's team co-captain Olivia Warren said. "Rugby has such a diverse group of people from all different backgrounds and interests, so you can definitely relate to someone. Even for the people who didn't play competitive sports growing up, there are other people who didn't play competitive sports who play rugby in college."
BGSU has sponsored club rugby since 1978, and the men's program is one of the most successful in the country, having won a national title in 2018. (BGSU photo)
Students who know they want to continue their high school sport in college can connect well before they have taken their first class at BGSU.
The club sports website's recruiting form allows a student to take steps toward joining a competitive team on campus before enrolling, providing invaluable structure that can ease the transition into college.
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"It's not recruiting like we want high school stats - we want to connect with them, get them information and get them to know a few people before they're on campus," Switaj said. "By the time they get to campus, they already know when the try-outs are, when the practices are and may even know a few other members of the team. At that point, you're not the typical freshman."
While on campus, athletes have access to high-level facilities like Perry Field House and the newly renovated Slater Family Ice Arena, and even dedicated coaches who are there to help their teams succeed.
"Our two soccer teams, for instance, the club coaches are Stu Riddle and Kate Larbes, who are both assistant coaches for our Division I soccer teams," Switaj said. "Students who came to BGSU and play club soccer are not only getting the club sports experience, they're also getting great coaching at an NCAA level."
Thousands of students who come to BGSU find that a club sport becomes an invaluable part of their college experience.
"More than anything, we want students to have a great experience at BGSU," Switaj said. "We want you to try out, be serious about and play the sport that you're really passionate about."
In addition to sponsoring a Division I hockey teams, BGSU also sponsors both men's and women's club hockey for students to play competitively while they are in college. (BGSU photo)
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Media Contact | Michael Bratton | [email protected] | 419-372-6349