ith a look of determination, senior Wi" Copeland swings his bat t a TNT softball game Oct. 2. TNT won in the A, Band C brackets of 1en's club softball. (Photo by Amy Beene) ienior Justin Jamerson, Titans member, cradles the ball as he ushes downfield Oct. 14. Club athletics gave students an opportu~ lity to play competitive sports throughout the year. (Photo by Amy leene) BeginningTealllS New clubs establish athletic squads Club and intramural sports enjoyed strong participation numbers this year, according to intramural officials. Jim Gowen, director of men's intramurals, said approximately 65 percent of Harding men participated in either intramural or club sports. "There is lots of participation in both club and intramural sports," Gowen said. Dr. Jessica Moore, director of women's intramurals, said women's volleyball increased from 30 teams last year to 46 this year. Students' reasons for playing club sports varied from enjoying competition to just wanting to hang out. Junior Stephanie Wortham, a member of Shantih social club, said she got involved in club sports for the sake of pure enjoyment. "I play at the Band C levels," she said. "At the C level. you can have fun and be serious wi thout being at each other's throats. That is what makes it fun." Many students who were not in clubs, like senior Dan Phillips, still enjoyed watching their friends compete in club athletics. "I think club sports are neat," Phillips said. "It's just sports - no money, no Super Bowl trophies - it's just about having fun and playing sports." Three new clubs began competing in club athletics this year. Chi Kappa Rho and Pi Theta Phi joined the women's side, and Theta Psi Kappa began competing in the men's small club division. For these clubs, joining club sports for the first time gave them a chance to be recognized on campus. Sophomore Katie Moran, athletic director for Chi Kappa Rho, said she was surprised at the number of women from the club who wanted to play. Moran said first-time participation numbers were high. "Everyone just wants to support the club and play," she said. Pi Theta Phi, which chartered in January, also had a large number of women sign up to play basketball. JW1ior Pi Theta Phi athletic director Katie Glover said club members were so eager tobe involved that they signed up to play Jan. 12, the day Student Services approved the club's constitution. "We're really excited," she said. "This is the first thing we all get to do together." Gowen said new clubs have traditionally performed well on the basketball court. . FreshmanCurtisGroves, a Theta Psi Kappa member, said his club planned to be competitive, even though they were new this year. "We're very competitive, and we are determined," Groves said. ''It looks like we're going to do well." II I think dub sports are neat ... It's just about having fun and playing sports. II - Meghan Michaelson - senior Dan Phillips athletics /I 225
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==