What are club sports, and how can I get involved?

At Bowling Green State University, athletics are a key part of the college experience for many students — and not just Division I athletes.

Students from all backgrounds and areas of academic study have the opportunity to pick from an array of accredited degree programs while also playing a club sport, allowing them to experience the best of both worlds during their time at the University.

But unlike NCAA or intramural teams, club sports occupy a unique place in the college landscape.

1. What, exactly, are club sports? (Watch the video!)

Club sports are competitive, non-scholarship athletic teams that play against opponents from other colleges and universities.

During the 2024-25 academic year, BGSU sponsored 17 men’s and women’s club sports teams as well as another 24 co-ed teams in sports such as powerlifting, curling, equestrian and dodgeball.

Though the University provides funding for club sports, most models are pay-to-play. Each club decides the fee structure depending on the equipment, travel and other expenses required to play their specific sport.  

The time commitment required to play depends on the sport, but generally speaking, each club sport will include a full schedule of practices, traveling and games while it is in season.

3 people chasing a soccer ball

2. Are there tryouts?

It depends on the team. Some club teams are open to everybody, while others have an overflow of demand and require a more rigorous selection procedure.

For interested and prospective students, expressing interest and getting connected early is key.

3. Are club sports like intramurals?

Not quite.

Many sports at BGSU offer both club and intramural options, but the two main differences between club and intramural sports are the level of competition and the type of competition.

Club sports teams, while not under the NCAA umbrella, entail all that one would expect from a college sports team: coaches, dedicated practice time at top-notch facilities, travel and high-level competition in regional leagues and national tournaments that include other universities’ club sports teams.

Intramural sports are more of a recreational endeavor played against other BGSU students.  

The BGSU club men’s basketball team, for instance, played 31 competitive games during the 2024-25 academic year, traveling to games at West Virginia, Ohio State and Illinois, while playing host to Xavier and Wright State, among others.

As highly competitive sports, club teams may hold tryouts to set their rosters.

Any student who simply enjoys a sport, on the other hand, can play on an intramural team, which plays their games exclusively on campus in a structured-yet-enjoyable league, but with less commitment than a club team.

Intramural teams typically play once or twice per week during the seasons, which are about a month long each.

A person swimming
A hockey player shoots the puck.
In addition to sponsoring Division I hockey, BGSU also has men's and women's club teams. (BGSU photo)

4. Can a student play both club sports and intramurals?

Of course. In fact, many BGSU club athletes opt for a competitive sport — typically one they played in high school or started as a college freshman — and an additional or off-season sport just for fun.

A student who played high school soccer, for example, might opt to keep playing the sport at the more competitive club level during the fall semester at BGSU, but still add a recreational intramural sport like ultimate frisbee or flag football during the spring.

Depending on a student’s academic and club sport schedules, adding an intramural sport to the mix is certainly doable.

2 people playing lacrosse

5. Do I have to be recruited to play club sports?

Yes, but recruiting at the club level is not what most think.

Unlike NCAA sports in which coaches scour the country for top players, club sports recruitment is mostly a way to pair interested students with the existing teams on campus.  

For incoming freshmen, especially, filling out the club sports interest form is an excellent way to make connections prior to the start of classes.  

“We want to connect with them, get them information and get them to know a few people before they’re on campus,” Director of Club Sports Bill Switaj said. “By the time they get to campus, they already know when the try-outs are, when the practices are and may even know a few other members of the team. At that point, you’re not the typical freshman.”

A person getting ready to hit a baseball

6. What are the benefits of club sports?

Many students find that playing a club sport becomes a key part of their college experience. Not only can students participate in something competitive, continue playing a sport they love and stay fit, being part of a team also provides invaluable social connections.

Club teams create environments in which students establish lifelong friendships with other like-minded students who are interested in competitive sports.  

In the 2023-24 academic year, more than 700 students took part in a club sports team, making it one of the most popular — and most rewarding — activities on campus.

Updated: 06/05/2025 08:24AM