Not all of us have what it takes to be scoring goals or making three pointers during a West Coast Championship game for The Pilots, but that doesn't mean there's no chance to play sports. University of Portland offers a wide selection of activities for students. But all these options can get confusing. Should I play club or intramural, what’s even the difference? What if I just want to have some fun? What if I want to be more serious? Don’t fret — The Beacon will break it down for you.
Club Sports
Club sports are, for any competitive soul, the more serious of the two options. Even though club sports may lack the bravado that comes with official Pilot sports, you can hold your head high knowing your teammates are counting on you with a real drive for victory.
First things first, there’s a difference between club sports and sports clubs. You better know what you’re getting yourself into. Some sports clubs on campus include cycling club, fly fishing club, Climb UP and golf club. These groups are largely for beginners. You can join the golf club having never hit a hole in your life, and you’ll be welcomed with open arms. This kind of low-intensity community bonding is not what we’re talking about when we say “club sports.”
Club sports offered at UP range from ultimate frisbee to soccer, with lacrosse fitting nicely in the middle. For those who love the game and want to continue to play, the dedication and commitment are real. In addition, athletes can proudly boast the Pilots’ name across their chests while whipping a serve across the court in tennis or spiking the ball for the club volleyball team.
These kinds of teams do usually require tryouts. You obviously don’t have to be D1 level, but you have to at least look like you know what you’re doing out there.
Stiff competition is an essential aspect of club sports, including traveling to play other schools. You basically get to live a cool life on the road. Not only do club teams offer a fun but competitive atmosphere, but they can also link you to those who share the same passion for the sport.
“(You) play club sports because it's a good way to meet people outside your class," said Matt Arlt, a sophomore club soccer player. "And the team captains can become life role models."
If you think you have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with some of University of Portland’s best, then strap up your boots and come out to a tryout. More information can be found on the University of Portland website.
Intramural Sports
If you aren’t looking to be as serious, then intramural sports is where you want to be. Intramural sports offer a fun and safe environment to get a little competitive. And you have a wide array of options.
You can kick it back to the days of middle school with kickball or play the overseas beauty that is handball. The fun part is you can play with little to no experience.
Most sports offer a D1 and a less competitive D2 level. This division is largely so that the entirely inexperienced futsal player doesn’t have to play against the retired athlete, just looking for something noncommittal. If you’ve never played table tennis in your life, be kind to yourself and enter into the D2 category. If you can play sand volleyball like nobody’s business, don’t be a cheater by entering into D2 — put yo bad self in D1!
The other fun part of playing intramurals is that your competition is entirely made of of friends and colleagues. You only play other teams on campus made up of students and faculty.
These lighthearted competitions are a way to get active while making memories with your friends. Sophomore Gwen Ulrick, a four-sport intramural athlete, said one of her favorite memories from playing intramurals was watching one of her friends knock in the winning run during the late innings of a softball game last year.
“We were tied going into the last inning, we weren’t very good so winning a game was a big deal,” Ulrick said. “My friend hit a ball into center field and two runs scored and all my friends yelled and hugged each other. It's a lot of fun!”
Being able to post that intramural championship team picture on Instagram is the dream of many. If it sounds like this is could also be your dream, then get your friends together and come compete against your fellow University of Portland students in a kickball game on the lawn outside the great Shipstad Hall, or lace up the basketball shoes and show what you got in 3v3 basketball on the shiny hardwood of Beauchamp.
Whether you plan to go on the road and compete with the club athletes, or you’re just trying to have some fun playing badminton, there is an opportunity for all to get involved. Strap up your laces and come be a part of the fun!
