Want to Get Involved? Try Club Sports
Joining a sport is a fantastic way to get more involved with your school, but not everyone wants the commitment that can come with being a varsity collegiate athlete. Club sports are a great, low-stress option with many benefits, even though they may be slightly different from a traditional varsity sport.
Each one of these sports participates in regional or national competitions, all of which are led by a governing body pertaining to the sport. All club sports here at Bridgewater State are highly competitive in each of their fields. The Bears cheerleading team just earned their eighth national title at the National Cheerleading Association Collegiate National Championship down in Daytona Beach, Florida last Spring.
The mission of the BSU club teams is to “provide student-run leadership opportunities while maintaining a fun but competitive environment for all athletes.” Bridgewater State University is helpful when it comes to the support given to these teams. They offer (if wanted), free transportation, office services, access to facilities needed to practice, funding assistance, and travel assistance. A lot of the work is done by the players to maintain and develop each of these teams, as stated by the men’s rugby coach Sarah Harkness.
The men’s rugby club team was formed in 2018/19, right before the pandemic hit. They later re-formed around when most of the restrictions were lifted in 2021, and they recently came into a new coaching staff, Sarah Harkness (Sharkie). Before coming to BSU, she coached at various programs around the state including the USA Pathways Rugby Elite League, as well as several other colleges. Her goal for the Bridgewater State Rugby team is to create an environment that can produce “lifelong bonds…regardless of if you are an elite athlete.”
Additionally, Sharkie strives to “welcome all levels and backgrounds of players…who are committed to growing the game.”
This year will be an exciting season for them as they have over ten inexperienced players who are all “hungry for improvement and development”.
Club sports at Bridgewater State have dominated their fields and brought many titles to the University. In 2019, three of Bridgewater State’s men’s lacrosse players were named MCLA All-Americans. The BSUDT Dance Team, who performs at varsity events, competed in the DTU College Classic in Orlando, FL in the spring and placed in the top three in the DIII Jazz division, as well as fourth in the DIII Pom division.
BSU club sports provide a special opportunity for anyone who is looking for an extra support system, a way to continue their athletic career in college or even anyone who just wants to make friends! It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
