Courtesy Photo by UW Athletics
Laramie, Wy – The University of Wyoming is known for its athletic program but in addition to the main athletics the University of Wyoming also has club sports. Club sports began at the University of Wyoming in 1981 this club sports were originally formed by the associate students of the University of Wyoming. In 1999 the club sports moved over to the department of student affairs in anticipation of the renovated recreation and Wellness Center located in half acre. In 2000 campus recreation became the permanent home of sports. The mission of club sports is to provide students the opportunity to participate in competitive sports against intercollegiate teams with an emphasis on student leadership development and involvement.
The University of Wyoming has 20 club sports with notable teams being men’s ice hockey who since their establishment in 2001 have stayed highly competitive with capturing an acha M3 national championship. The UW ranch horse versatility team operated through the College of agriculture they remain a regional standout their team has clinched multiple top 10 finishes during meets this season. The men’s soccer team competing in the Rocky Mountain collegiate Soccer League they have a rigorous schedule for the fall and national tournament. The UW cycling team I’ve also been successful as they regularly travel to mountain biking events across Wyoming Colorado and New Mexico.
For the fall semester several UW club sports are entering their busiest portion of their schedules. You can find many of the club sports having weekly games if not multiple games a week, many of the teams right now are fighting for postseason positioning and continuing to build their teams. As of writing this preview the men’s ice hockey team is preparing for a tonight stretching Denver University followed by CSU the men’s rugby team is getting ready to go play the University of Colorado the men and women’s soccer teams are getting ready to go play Denver and Colorado Christian. The cycling team is getting ready for the Crested Butte cycling event and the women’s softball team is getting ready for the annual slow pitch tournament.
It is exciting to see that the variety and competition shows how the club’s sports experience can be different depending on the team you’re on while student athletes may compete in traditional head-to-head games like in soccer hockey basketball, They will have a completely different experience when it comes to cycling equestrian and esports for example. Club sports at UW give students able to express themselves even if they’re unable to get on to the traditional NCAA athletics. While these teams don’t traditionally can be under one division programs their schedules still show that these students are able to compete at high levels. Was fall schedules now underway the coming weeks will give W club teams opportunities to compete at home and on the road before post-season and championships arrive later in the semester.
