Before writing several stories about club sports teams, I had already made up my mind about the meaning of club sports and had many stereotypes going into interviews with the respective teams.

The main stereotype I had was that the clubs are all supposed to be competitive and exclusive – just a small step from the varsity level. Right? Wrong. It was a surprise to me to discover that throughout every club, only one main thought is dominant. It is not competition.

Most people simply get involved in club sports just as a way to meet new people.

“It’s definitely a friendly atmosphere. We’re not a selective group,” Isaac Smith, the vice-president of the fencing club and a junior in biomedical engineering, said of the fencing club. “We don’t hold tryouts. If you want to learn it we’ll teach you, and we’ll take anyone from beginners to advanced fencers.”

This quote symbolizes the mentality that emanates from most club sports. Most are low-key and not competitive. And the members use the sport as a way to get with friends and have fun.

Chris Sternecker, the president of the wrestling club and a senior in agricultural business management, is on the Club Sports committee.

“[We’re] just a bunch of guys working out together and enjoying the sport that we grew up with,” he said of the wrestling club.

And even the clubs focused more towards competition enjoy beneficial camaraderie with one another as well.

“[They treated me] like another person on the team. I just went in and did what I was supposed to do,” Matt Gearheart, a freshman in sport management and a pitcher for club baseball, said of his teammates’ welcome as a new player this season.

I really feel that getting involved with club sports benefits the people involved. But, one might argue, that he or she can get the same benefit from playing intramural sports as well.

I would disagree. Think about this. Most people only get involved with intramurals as a way to hang out with their current friends. What about meeting new people?

Club sports really have benefits in this regard. Plus, all of the clubs are very welcoming, and most are open to receiving new members at any time.

Dalton DeLuca is a freshman in the First Year College and a new member to the men’s ultimate club.

“It took me less than a week to become really good friends with them. They all want to help you get better in the future, so that our team can improve,” he said.

You might still be worried that this new thing might not fit into your busy college schedule. Well, while practices might be strict for more competitive clubs, other clubs do not require you to attend each and every practice. They welcome you whenever you want to come.

With more than 40 clubs, I’m sure you could uncover something that interests you. Even if you do not want to meet new people, this is a great way to get active and fit. So get out there and find your club.