PRIYA COOPER / SPORTS EDITOR

USD club  sports are a big part of Campus  Recreation  and  provide  opportunities   for students to experience the commitment, challenge and enjoyment of a competitive  or  recreational  sports experience without the pressures of playing at a D1 level. The teams are  initiated by students and are organized by coaches with all levels of training and expertise. 

All of the club sports at USD differ in size, season and playing ability, with some clubs that compete at a high level and others that play for recreation and fun. USD covers sports through club registration from soccer to sailing, climbing, jiu jitsu, baseball and so much  more. Many  of  the   clubs   only   compete    for   fun  while  others,  like club rugby, have gone on to    win  national   championships. 

Many students look for a sense of community when joining club sports. USD junior and captain of the men’s club frisbee team, Lucca Sebastiani, shared his reasons for joining. 

“The camaraderie of the team was advertised heavily  and I wanted a way to exercise and find a group to hang out with,” Sebastiani said. 

USD club frisbee players take to the field. Photo courtesy of @alexaschehrer/Instagram

All of the clubs at USD have a ranging level of commitment and participation. Sebastiani expressed how balancing academics and sports can be challenging, so understanding the time commitment is key.

“We practice three days a week for two hours each day, and we have tournaments every other weekend towards the end of the season,” Sebastiani said.  “I think my favorite memory with the team was when we beat UCLA in the spring of my freshman year!”

For many students, joining a club sport  team is  about continuing a lifelong  passion and being able to continue their sport from high   school.  USD  sophomore and women’s club soccer player,  Aiofe Gish, explained   how  many  students join club sports because it is something they have been practicing    their    whole  life  and they want to continue playing without  having  to  commit to college  simply for athletic purposes. 

“I grew up playing soccer competitively since the age of five and knew that I wanted to have a similarly competitive, yet fun environment in college,” Gish said. “The high-level soccer and welcoming environment incentivized and motivated me to join club soccer.”

Sports clubs often provide opportunities to create unique and cherished memories. Aiofe fondly recalled a special moment with her team.

“My favorite team memory is going to Isla Vista at the annual [University of California Santa Barbara] tournament and enjoying Blenders smoothies with the team,” Gish said. 

In  addition  to the sports being entertaining, there are many other   advantages   that   players   reap from participating, such as establishing life-long connections and getting in some quality exercise. 

“There are so many benefits of playing a  club  sport at USD,” Aiofe said.  First,  club  sports  allow  you to make new friends  outside  of  classes,  housing and  Panhellenic life. Also, club sports allow you to continue to improve as a player all while maintaining the love of your sport in a balanced way.”

USD junior and men’s lacrosse player Patrick Riley Oberton explained how the advantages of participating in club sports go beyond the field or court.

“I  play  for  the  school’s  lacrosse team, and I’m one of the goalies,” Oberton   said.  “I  think the  benefits   of   joining  a club  team is  this, the  connections  you make with everyone  and  the friendships you make with everyone.”

USD’s club sports offer students a unique blend of competition, recreation and community. Whether playing to win national championships or simply for the love of the game, these teams provide a  space  for students to stay active, pursue lifelong   passions  and create lasting memories.

USD women’s club soccer plays at home. Photo courtesy of @lo.wash.photography/Instagram