Club sports to receive more recognition

The Marshall University Student Government Association is bringing a Club Sports Council to campus in order to give those sports more recognition from the university.

In 2011, the SGA created a new role within the executive branch titled the Athletics Liaison. The purpose of this role is to get the club sports council started by creating a constitution and bylaws for the group as well as have the university recognize them as an organization. This group would then assist in providing club sports with use of facilities on campus and more monetary funds.

Callie Tucker, senior psychology major and member of the women's rugby team, was appointed to the position by student body president Ray Harrell, Jr. and works with the executive officers with other projects to improve the university.

"Ideally, we want to unite the club sports teams that are at Marshall," Tucker said. "Those include men's and women's rugby, men's lacrosse, an equestrian team and a marksmen club that is starting. We want to unite these groups and pull together our resources so we get more recognition and support from the university."

Every member of a club sport will be a part of the council, however only one representative from each sport will be responsible for coming to meetings and making decisions.

"Everyone kind of does their own thing and is in charge of their own stuff, there isn't really a governing body," Calvin Britton, president of the men's lacrosse "Facilities are a huge problem, as we can't use any of Marshall's facilities for games or practices whatsoever," Britton said. "When you throw in monetary value for paying referees and for the painting and lining of the field it is really an issue.

"With Rugby going division one, they aren't going to be able to create their own schedule and their operating fees are going to go up as well since they will have to travel more."

"People don't understand that we compete and represent the university," Tucker said. "Just because we're a club sport doesn't mean that we don't spend time practicing and playing. People hear club and think we don't do anything."

"Having more funding will allow us to build among our program, travel more, afford more equipment and help with the cost of dues and recruitment," Tucker said.

The club sports council is still being developed but is hoping to start meeting regularly.

Zachary Morris can be contacted at morris243@marshall.edu.