Contact sports: Clubs provide a way to compete and connect
Student Experience
Wendy Sheppard loves the passion and energy that students have for sport clubs. But there’s something else that she likes: the sense of belonging they impart.
“A lot of students, especially those who come to the University from farther away, might not have the same support system that they would have closer to home. So, they find their people when they’re here,” said Sheppard, assistant director of sports and risk management. “And sport clubs are a big part of that.”
Currently, students take part in 29 non-varsity sports clubs on campus. They range from classics such as volleyball, basketball, and soccer, to more surprising offerings including crew, equestrian sports, and water polo. The clubs are overseen by Sheppard and Allison Rose, sports club athletic trainer, but are student led and managed. Some clubs compete with other universities or colleges across the U.S., while others are recreational. Instructional clubs like martial arts never leave campus. Spikeball, formed just four years ago, was one of five clubs to go to nationals last year.
An inclusive spirit is part of the culture. While a few clubs require tryouts, cuts are discouraged when possible.
“None of our clubs have a previous experience requirement. We have students who can’t skate join the ice hockey club,” Sheppard said. “If you have an interest in trying something new, or continuing something that you love, we want to give you the opportunity to do that here.”
Students can start new clubs by creating a proposal, collecting signatures from potential members and making a presentation to the Center for Student Involvement. Once the club is approved and registered as a student organization, then the students can apply to become a sports club.
The club for women’s basketball made a comeback in fall 2023, thanks to the efforts of first-year Katie Honaker. She learned a previous club was inactive.
“I played competitive basketball my entire life and was looking forward to continue at Richmond while meeting new people,” she said.
The team practices twice a week and generally plays against each other. They competed in the intramural basketball league a few weeks ago and are scheduled to play a game against VCU in March for the Capital Cup, then against Christopher Newport later this semester.
“We’ve built a strong team of girls who love to play the sport and have fun together,” she said.
Senior Carter Pete serves as an officer for the men’s volleyball team and stayed connected to the team even when he was abroad. “I was in Lancaster, England,” he said, “and played some volleyball there, too. But I missed my team back in Richmond.”
The team includes undergrads from a wide variety experience, majors, and backgrounds, who have come together through the sport. The team will go to nationals for the first time this April.
“Sport clubs can be the type of team environment that creates lasting friendship,” Pete said. “On our team, we always have dinner together after practice and enjoy spending time together outside of volleyball.”
Alex Ertel was throwing a frisbee with his friend on the intramural fields during orientation week in his first year when the senior captain of men’s ultimate came up and asked him to join the team.
“We’re a social unit,” Ertel said. Many of the players are also roommates.
Maintaining connection on and off the field has led to some impressive results. Men’s ultimate won the Division III National Championship in 2017. This year, they have enough members to field two separate teams for tournaments, and they’re looking forward to the regional finals to secure a bid and return to nationals.
Players are devoted to the team, Sheppard said. Some even wear their uniforms under their cap and gowns when they graduate.
“The sport means that much to them,” she said. “That’s why I love doing this. I like the fact that students can find a place, can find people who accept them, who get them excited about being here, and then they get to do something they love.”