March 9, 2010
Matt Day, director of campus recreation, oversees all club sports on the York College campus. When Day stepped into the position in Fall 2007, he began to enhance the club sports program by developing a Club Sport Handbook. To supplement the handbook, Day also created a series of forms for each club to complete before and after each season so that he can monitor their progress.
“If club sports are run correctly, they can be an extremely good learning experience for students, especially the leaders of the clubs,” Day said. “They can enhance a variety of skills such as leadership, time management, budgeting and teamwork.”
Day believes that many students are not sure if their busy schedules will allow them to join an organized activity; however, club sports will allow students to devote a majority of their time to academics, while at the same time allow them to be involved on campus.
“While structured practices do occur, club sports aren't as strict as varsity sports and therefore may fit students’ schedules better,” Day added.
Club Sports at YCP
The dance team was started over eight years ago by Melissa Minerva ’05 to perform during halftime of home basketball games. Over the last few years, members have started to perform at other school events such as Relay for Life and Midnight Madness. During the 2008-2009 academic year, they competed in their first competition and won first place.
The ultimate frisbee team was formed six years ago by Andy Batten ’06. Members attend between two and four weekend tournaments each semester within the Ultimate Players Association.
Founded in 1992, the women’s lacrosse team welcome women of any skill level who are interested in playing lacrosse. They practice three to four times a week, compete in games against other schools and participate in community service activities.
The men’s lacrosse team returned in January 2010 after taking a few years off. Originally founded by Evan Williams in 2006, the club provides an opportunity for students to participate in the game of lacrosse without the demands of the varsity program. The team has made it to the National College Lacrosse League playoffs every season it has competed, making it to the Elite Eight twice.
Founded in 1987 by John Wallace ’88, the men’s rugby team is one of the most established organizations on campus. The club is open to any male who wants to learn a sport that combines some aspects of American football, along with the physical conditioning of soccer. The team is ranked Division II within the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU). In 2002 and 2003, members won back-to-back EPRU championships.
The women’s rugby team was formed in 1992 from the men’s club and has continued to grow over the past few years. The club is ranked Division II in the EPRU, and in Fall 2009, members finished third. In March 2010, they will compete in the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union.
The softball team, founded by Nicole Stump ’08 in 2004, gives females a chance to play competitive fast-pitch softball against other community colleges or club teams from the Mid-Atlantic region.
The men’s volleyball team, founded by Matt Bish ’08, is open to males of any skill level who enjoy playing volleyball. As part of the Middle Atlantic Coast Volleyball Conference, members compete in various tournaments against other club teams.
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