~Southeast has more than 20 club teams

The sport club council at Southeast Missouri State University held its final meeting of the year on Nov. 25 to discuss the policies of sport clubs on campus, to approve new clubs into the council and to determine the direction in which sport clubs on campus are progressing.

One representative from each sport club attended the meeting held by assistant director of Recreation Services Jennifer Rose. Rose is also the faculty adviser for sport clubs on campus.

Each semester the sport club council holds two meetings as a kind of wrap-up and to address any concerns with policies that team members from clubs may have.

"We're basically there to review policy and make sure our club presidents are upholding those policies," Rose said. "Once policy is understood then they are free to go about competing."

Policies include having the appropriate numbers of members per club as well as making sure all club members have met the requirements that are needed to be a member of each club.

Members must also review any conflict that has risen in the past semester and discuss a penalty, as it is needed.

This semester, no conflict has taken place. In fact, just the opposite is occurring according to Rose.

"Our clubs work really well together," Rose said. "We haven't had any conflicts since I've been here and if anything, we're stronger as a group because of it."

With no real issues to face, the sport clubs on campus are thriving like never have before. In the past three years, the judo, golf and equestrian teams been added to the repertoire of clubs.

Just this year, boxing, jujitsu, cricket, wrestling and soccer have become club teams.

Club teams typically cost a fee while intramurals do not. Intramural teams compete against other teams at Southeast and club teams usually travel to compete against clubs at other schools.

Since its approval into the sport club council, the equestrian club has had success.

On Nov. 16, the equestrian club competed as a team at nationals.

That same week, the golf club also saw its president Shawn Heuring compete at the national club tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he placed 126th out of 208 players.

Rose says she's proud of all of the success the clubs on campus are having.

"It's always a huge deal when the clubs you work closely with are able to go represent your school and organization." Rose said. "I think it's a testament to how hard these kids work."

Now with more than 20 teams, Southeast's club sports are doing bigger and better things.

The main difference about clubs compared to intramurals is that competition, which has been more recreational based, is moving to a more competitive field.

Club members often travel to universities across the Midwest to face other club teams.

"I think it just adds to the competition aspect of sports," Heuring said. "It was cool to bond with everyone from all over America and get what's going on in their head when they take certain shots because I'm sure we both have similar feelings."

With the success clubs have seen in recent years, Rose expects to see more interest in new sports.

"I'm always surprised when I walk into my office and see someone who wants to start up a club," Rose said. "The process is really easy though and most of the time it only takes a few days."

Rose encourages more clubs but wants students to know there are some requirements in order to start a club.

"Sport clubs are formed by individuals motivated by a common interest and desire to participate in a sport," Rose said. "They must also have the amount of people required to compete."

For more information on how to start your own club, go to the sport club homepage on Southeast's website or contact Rose.