Program Feature: Club Sports Federation EWU offers competitive sports for students as part of the Club Sports Federation (CSF) in Campus Recreation. Although some sports also have NCAA counterparts, the CSF program is not part of the Intercollegiate Athletics Department and is not governed by the NCAA. Club sports may be competitive, recreational or instructional, based on the wishes of the club members. Competition is available at local, regional, national and international levels. Clubs receive some funding through the Services and Activities Fee process, but raise much of their own money. Many of the clubs have paid coaching staff, albeit all part-time.
The 2011-12 school year saw CSF teams succeed on multiple levels:
For such a large and far-reaching organization, the Club Sports Federation may be one of the university’s bestkept secrets. Although some of the clubs are relatively well known, many of them fly under the radar. EWU’s most visible club sports include cheer, hockey, rugby, baseball and soccer. Lesser known sports include archery, bowling, climbing, fencing, airsoft and a long list of martial arts groups. Chances are that every member of the Eagle community knows someone who is involved – whether the individual is faculty or staff, a fellow student, a club advisor, coach or mentor, colleague or carpool partner.
• Judo hosted the first-ever collegiate competition on EWU’s campus
The entire program is overseen by a professional staff member in the Campus Recreation Department. In addition to managing player issues, risk management, budget and travel, Campus Recreation manages the fleet of buses that teams regularly take on out-of-town trips. A pool of professional, certified bus drivers (most from the Cheney School District), drive the vehicles, which can carry more than 20 team members as well as their equipment. The buses have proved to be cost saving for the teams and ensure higher safety and risk management for the trips. Plus, they project a professional image of the program and EWU while traveling.
CSF teams have also done great work outside of their competitions. In 2011-12, club team members volunteered for more than 40 community service programs and events, including the following:
• Baseball won its first-ever NorPac North Conference Championship and placed second in the NCBA Regional Championships • Bowling took part in its first-ever bowling tournament against CWU and WSU • Cycling took part in its first cycling events in the Northwest Collegiate Cycling Conference
• Men’s Hockey made the BCIHL Playoffs in its first official year • The Sportsman’s Club qualified two teams for the Forest L. Wood College Fishing Regional Championships • Wrestling competed in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association’s Regional Championships in San Jose, Calif. Overall, CSF members placed five individuals on AllConference Teams in their respective sports
• Cheer and Men’s JV Hockey hosted sports clinics for kids • Fastpitch Softball adopted a local highway • Men’s Rugby and the Sportsman’s clubs helped cook meals for families of the Ronald McDonald House • Men’s Varsity Hockey partnered with Health and Wellness Prevention Services to host the “Pink in the Rink” event to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research
The CSF is one of the fastest-growing programs on campus. Club sports provide a positive learning and personal growth experience outside the classroom, as well the opportunity to represent EWU in athletic competition. According to Mike Campitelli, director of Campus Recreation Programs, “A strong Club Sports Program doesn’t take a lot of money, just student interest and love of sport. These programs are hugely important in recruiting and retaining EWU students.”
• Women’s Rugby donated time and money to the American Cancer Society Walk in Seattle In addition to volunteer service and fundraising, CSF teams also work hard to raise money to support their clubs. In 2011-12, the CSFs combined fundraising efforts totaled more than $150,000, which helped pay for team gear, travel and referees. When not practicing, participating in competitions, fundraising or volunteering, CSF participants spend their days just like any other college student: attending class, studying, conducting research, participating in campus activities, working and hanging out with friends.
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