Varsity is entertainment as a spectator sport, while club sports are about education in terms of leadership development, organization and team building, says Tom Dison, director of recreational sports at the University of Texas. There is a place for both on campus, he says. In the past decade, clubs such as UC-Davis roller hockey have skyrocketed in popularity and sophistication as students turn to teams organized, coached and played by other students. The variety of clubs adds appeal. Along with traditional sports such as wrestling, universities offer everything from surfing to skydiving.
Some funding comes from student dues and a small slice of the student activity budget.
Unlike the more visible and heavily funded varsity programs, which reports to athletic departments, clubs can fall under the auspices of several different departments, including campus recreation or the student government, which must distribute an already meager sum to as many as 75 teams. Despite clear disparities between club and varsity perks, some club athletes say they would not trade in their self-organized teams for varsity status. Two years ago, when the Oregon women s soccer team turned varsity, the new coach took none of the 20 club players. Now, when athletes appeal to club sports director Sandy Vaughn for varsity privileges, she reminds them that varsity is a whole different ballgame. Reality strikes when I let them know that in no way if the team becomes varsity will they be playing on it next year.