By Julie Gunderson & Sasha Kandrach
Back to school means back to work. While college isn’t all fun and games, DU’s Ritchie Center offers both in the form of club and intramural sports.
Joining either a club or intramural sports team is an excellent way to get involved in the DU athletics program, meet new people and break a sweat.
Operated through the Student Programs Office, DU’s 28 club sports are sure to keep you active and engaged in your new Pio community.
Joining a club team offers students a way to compete in competitive league matches against local in-state schools, with the potential to qualify for regional and national competitions.
Students on club teams participate in scheduled, weekly practices followed by weekend matches.
Ranging from competitive figure skating to intense rugby that will keep you on the edge, a sport is offered for anyone of any level. Outdoor lovers can hit the slopes with Club Skiing or go backpacking in Aspen with the Alpine Club. If you’re looking for something totally new and different to try, check out Club Curling.
As the largest student-run organization on campus, the Alpine Club provides students with the opportunity to participate in a variety of off-campus activities throughout the school year. It encourages students ranging from beginners to experts to explore Colorado’s many landscapes through pre-arranged, adventurous trips.
The initiation membership fee is $40.00, which includes a t-shirt and water bottle, and members receive a discount for every trip offered.
Looking for a fun, less competitive activity? Join an intramural team.
Depending on the quarter, DU offers a selection of events and leagues to choose from. For the fall uarter, the intramural program will have events consisting of soccer, wallyball, cornhole and dodgeball.
The program will additionally offer intramural leagues for outdoor soccer and football, broomball, volleyball, basketball and tennis.
The fall intramural season runs from Oct. 4 through Nov. 12, and registration ends on Sept. 29.
Each individual club or intramural team can be found on the University of Denver Student Programs page, where each activity includes a brief description, cost requirements, tryout dates (for club sports), practice and game schedules and also contact information.
Besides obvious reasons of staying involved, keeping active and doing what you love, there are numerous leadership opportunities that one can gain once you’ve committed to a club or intramural team. Roles such as head of fundraising, team manager and club promoter are all positions available to members of DU’s teams.
The greatest benefit of all, however, is wearing Crimson and Gold to represent DU and your Pioneer community.
