Get in the Game: Sport Clubs at Adelphi

Interested in sports but don’t want to make the commitment to a Division II team? Check out the University’s extensive assortment of sports clubs, which offer the same outlet for recreation in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

Though the clubs exist under the auspices of Adelphi’s campus recreation administration—which helps with tasks like putting together a constitution and scheduling space for practice—all day-to-day operations are managed by students. Once a club is up and running, student members of the executive board hold interest meetings and test events around campus; they run their own tryouts, practices and games, and communicate with other teams outside the University to arrange tournaments.

Last fall, Linda Gundrum, M.S. ’86, director of Campus Recreation since 1987, announced the newest sport club—Strength and Fitness, inspired by a common interest in weight training among its founding members. Eventually, running, swimming and flexibility training (such as yoga and Pilates) may be added to this club’s activities, she said.

Clubs come in three general types: participatory (like fencing and dancing, which practice on a weekly basis and are just there to have fun), instructional (which are primarily educational in nature), and competitive (like badminton and baseball, which compete in tournaments and against other clubs). Some have tryouts and some have unlimited enrollment, but every club is open to students of all skill levels. They’re designed for the casual participant: anyone who played sports in high school, wants to learn a new sport, or is simply interested in adding another on-campus activity to their list.

Getting involved is easy, according to Gundrum. “You don’t have to have any experience,” she said. “We have such a diverse offering of clubs right now that meet a lot of different interests.” Look for interest meeting announcements, which come through email, social media, the campus recreation website, word of mouth, activity fairs at Orientation and admissions events.

Most important, Gundrum believes that sports clubs are an ideal activity to solidify a place for oneself on campus, especially for transfer students looking for a friendly, welcoming community. “The clubs become very close-knit groups,” she noted. “It’s a great way to get to know people and be active, and a great way for transfer students to build a group of friends.”