SPORTS
order for club softball to be able to practice most in need. “While we do have a lot more space on a softball field, junior vice president available to us than some campus recreation Kailey Rothenberger said that the team has to programs, it’s never going to be enough,” commute to a facility in Lansing, New York, evReilley said. “More is always better. What ery Friday. She did add that while the club can we’ve tried to do is prioritize in-season clubs, practice at Yavits Field a couple of other days those that are actively competing in their pri- of the week, it is not the same as being on a proper field. mary season for first priority for scheduling.” Rothenberger also said the upperJunior Luke Pohlman is a practice captain, which means he is in charge of running classmen in the club are responsible for and scheduling practices for the Ultimate driving teammates to and from pracFrisbee club. He said his team has also been tice, and the club is only compensated facing challenges with getting field time at for gas money when it has games at the Higgins Stadium, where the team usually Lansing field. “Every time we drive to practices. However, Ultimate Frispractice, that’s just on us,” bee is considered an off-season Rothenberger said. “It’s sport right now because “It’s just harder just the role of the its main season is in older people on the the spring. to . . . address team. When you get Pohlman also said each club’s to be older, that’s that if the team is going just expected.” to get field time, it often needs on a Pohlman said does not find out until given day.” that while club sports the night before –– or may not be as comeven just a few hours prior -Brady Elster petitive as varsity teams, to –– the allotted time. He they still add significance to said this can be frustrating and individual student lives and the feels as though club sports are not campus community. taken seriously. “[Varsity teams] focus on developing “We all get the impression we are an afterthought,” Pohlman said. “I don’t want to that family culture and extending that bespeak for the other club teams, but I think yond just the people in the locker room,” that’s kind of the general gist. I see a lot Pohlman said. “That’s one thing we try of value in varsity sports … but I also see to do as well. … We have each others’ backs on a lot of value in club teams and the value they and off the field. There’s a lot of guys who have said their favorite thing about being at school is add to the campus community.” While many clubs have access to going to frisbee practice, even if they’re not the on-campus facilities, not all of them do. In best player.”
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Junior Luke Pohlman, co-captain of the Ultimate Frisbee club, throws a frisbee Dec. 7 at Higgins Stadium. Brooke Vogel/The Ithacan
Editorial: Club sports receiving limited funding
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lub sports at Ithaca College are as important as varsity sports. They offer students the ability to participate and be active in the community through sports without being a part of a varsity team that comes with a longer time commitment and a different selection process. Some students who chose not to pursue college-level sports but are still interested in being a part of a team and being active have found a good middle ground in club sports. The main concern as of right now is the lack of resources, funding and staff members that are allotted to these club sports. Currently there are even more competitive club sports teams than there are varsity sports. Lauren Hoffman, program coordinator for recreational sports, and Sean Reilley, associate director of recreational sports, are the only members who are overseeing the 39 clubs, 27 of which are competitive club sports teams. Both are trying to serve the clubs to the best of their abilities, but at the end of the day, there is only so much two people can do. There needs to be more staff members, or how else can each team receive the attention and resources they deserve? Understaffing is a current issue sweeping across the campus, extending to club sports as well. However, to successfully run these club sports and address what they need, there needs to be more hands on deck. Another widespread issue on campus is budget cuts. The club sports program is facing a large budget deduction, lowering from $90,625 to under $50,000 this year. The issues the club sports are currently facing are seen across the campus and they need to be addressed soon. Sports in any form, varsity or club, are vital for students. It allows students to feel engaged in the community, and it is a passion for many students on campus. Clubs like the esports team are doing extremely well in national competition, yet it receives little to no attention from the college. These organizations provide opportunities for students to make friends, build valuable skills and have fun outside classes. These clubs need to be given the attention and resources they deserve, rather than pushed aside and allowed to struggle by themselves. The college cannot afford to make cuts on these kinds of recreation. Students need club sports, and they need to know that the college cares about what matters to them and that it is actively seeking out solutions. If students are the college’s “why,” why is the college neglecting a vital part of college life that students obviously care about? By increasing staff, ensuring that all teams have time and space to practice and even just recognizing that club sports teams are valuable activities for students to participate in, the college can affirm its commitment to club sports.
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