Spring Break
CLUB SPORTS: Club leaders pleased by initial effects of reform
by Charlie Gandelman and Julie Scherr
Sports | 9/11/07
Posted online at 7:27 PM EST on 9/10/07
/ Last updated at 12:14 AM EST on 9/10/07
In past years, members of the crew club team were forced to shell out $500 to row on the Charles River. But this year, they will only have to pay a fifth of that price, thanks to the new club sports partnership between the Student Union and the Department of Athletics.
"As a result of the new funding situation [for club sports], one of the major differences is we have been able to cut dues to almost nothing," Brett Wu '08, the crew team's president, said.
Established last March, the partnership gives Athletics and the Union joint funding over the University's 23 competitive club sports teams. The agreement increased the club sports budget by $140,000, and created the new position of club sports coordinator, held by Ben White.
Previously, club sports functioned like all other campus clubs, as they relied on the Finance Board for funding. Disgruntled club sports leaders, who thought more support from Athletics would strengthen the program and help their organizations function more like teams, rather than clubs, now have their wish.
The extra resources club sports will derive from this partnership is vital for the growth of teams such as crew, which require substantial monetary support, Wu said.
"[Crew is] a hard sport [to organize] as it is, and anything we can do to cut down on extra payments and extra work is something we can do to try and keep people interested," Wu said.
While extra money will certainly help club sports, newfound administrative backing is just as valuable to the teams, said Julienna Sherman '08, president of the field hockey club. Sherman explained that White is indispensable in organizing practice and field times, and added that he also arranged an off campus practice site for when the Brandeis fields are booked.
"It's really nice to have help in Athletics, as last year we had almost none," she said.
White also presides over a club sports council, which will meet monthly to discuss logistics and budget allocations. The council currently includes a representative from each of the 23 teams, though rugby club president Jacob Bockelmann '09 said it might downsize in the future. He added that though the council is still in its beginning stages, it's better than the old system.
"As a result of the new funding situation [for club sports], one of the major differences is we have been able to cut dues to almost nothing," Brett Wu '08, the crew team's president, said.
Established last March, the partnership gives Athletics and the Union joint funding over the University's 23 competitive club sports teams. The agreement increased the club sports budget by $140,000, and created the new position of club sports coordinator, held by Ben White.
Previously, club sports functioned like all other campus clubs, as they relied on the Finance Board for funding. Disgruntled club sports leaders, who thought more support from Athletics would strengthen the program and help their organizations function more like teams, rather than clubs, now have their wish.
The extra resources club sports will derive from this partnership is vital for the growth of teams such as crew, which require substantial monetary support, Wu said.
"[Crew is] a hard sport [to organize] as it is, and anything we can do to cut down on extra payments and extra work is something we can do to try and keep people interested," Wu said.
While extra money will certainly help club sports, newfound administrative backing is just as valuable to the teams, said Julienna Sherman '08, president of the field hockey club. Sherman explained that White is indispensable in organizing practice and field times, and added that he also arranged an off campus practice site for when the Brandeis fields are booked.
"It's really nice to have help in Athletics, as last year we had almost none," she said.
White also presides over a club sports council, which will meet monthly to discuss logistics and budget allocations. The council currently includes a representative from each of the 23 teams, though rugby club president Jacob Bockelmann '09 said it might downsize in the future. He added that though the council is still in its beginning stages, it's better than the old system.
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