Varsity Sports vs. Club Sports
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September 28, 2023
Bella LaFrance, Contributing Writer
A common misconception in the UMF sports community is that varsity and club sports are far from equal. The reality is that they are equal.
Over the years club sports have predominantly brought their programs from the ground up, to get them to where they are today. This puts them at a very equivalent level with varsity sports.
With UMF offering both options students are able to access different aspects of sports depending on what they desire.
“The varsity student athlete experience is something that we are working to replicate with club sports,” former coach and Head Athletic Director at UMF Jamie Beaudoin said.
One of the biggest differences are the sports that they each offer. For example club sports offers: Men and womens rugby, ultimate frisbee, equestrian club, swimming club, mountain biking club, cheer club and dance club.
The varsity sports that are offered: Men and womens alpine, softball, baseball, men and womens soccer, men and womens basketball, men and women's cross country, field hockey, golf, women's lacrosse, men and women's nordic ski, men and womens snowboard and free ski, and men and women's track and field.
Roughly 130 students play club sports and around 240 students are varsity athletes.
Consideration of inequality within both budgets are similar with few differences. Budgets for club sports get approved through the student senate. Budgets are already set from athletics for varsity sports.
Many things are wanted within both club and varsity sports that don’t fit in both budgets therefore a commonality is fundraising. Both budget amounts aren’t equal, but some ports don’t need as much as others do regarding club and varsity.
Public advertising is also an inequality that is on the uprise of being equal. Varsity sports have a designated publisher to publicize sport events and media posts on social media and around campus.
Club sports will have to advertise on their own. Club sports representative Kirsten Swan has recently hired student club sport representative Alex Urszinyi to do public advertising on top of his other responsibilities. With this club sports are definitely on the upward trend regarding an equal social media presence.
One of the biggest misconceptions regarding varsity sports is that they automatically have priority over transportation.
Everyone has an equal opportunity to the UMF vans we have access to on campus. “UMF vans are on a first come first serve basis/wait list,” Beaudoin said.
Club sports and varsity sports are equal, and have their own benefits regarding what that specific athlete wants from their sport. Misconceptions are popular within club and varsity sports, but they both have their own importance on the UMF campus.
