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According to Hamline Athletics Director Dan O’Brien, a college administration recognizes an intercollegiate varsity sport by awarding it a budget to cover the expenses it is likely to incur over the course of its season. A club team like women’s lacrosse, for example, gets no such budget.

In order for a club sport to attain its funds, they fundraise, apply for grants, and sometimes receive gifts from the athletics department. The vast majority is collected through fundraising.

Generally, the coach of a club sport will volunteer his or her time with the hope that if or when the club makes the transition to intercollegiate standing, they will be hired as the coach of that team.

To become an intercollegiate sport, the university administration must agree that it is both feasible and necessary for the sport to be exalted, and there must exist a budget capable of sustaining it.

There must be serious student interest in that sport for two to three years, maybe more, and the students affiliated with the sport must fill out applications to be submitted to the dean and whichever other party would be responsible for overseeing them.

Of course, there must also be local and or conference competition. For instance, Hamline would not be likely to approve a rowing team, for there would be little competition in the area.

“We need to be sure we can provide our kids with an opportunity to compete. We don’t want them to have to go all over the country to compete and miss class time,” said O’Brien.

Facilities must be adequate and able to support the addition, as well as equal opportunities for both men and women. Also, the team must be reasonably competitive; it would not be good for the students or the university if it was not, according to O’Brien.

O’Brien pointed out that women’s hockey made this transition in 2001, women’s soccer in the early 90s, and women’s basketball about 30 years ago. Although 30 years seems like a long time, Piper football games can be traced back to the 1800s. Relatively speaking, women’s basketball is new to the scene.

“From my standpoint, I see sustained interest as the most important factor. The second would be local or regional competition,” said O’Brien.

Recently there has been some interest on campus in starting men and women’s club golf. Hamline is the only institution in the MIAC without a golf program. David Vail, teaching pro at Keller Golf Course, made known his ambition to volunteer as coach for such a team earlier this year.

Since then, a dozen or so students have expressed interest in beginning a club golf team. Vail has set up meetings and practice at the Keller Driving Range, May 5 at 2:30. Vail invites those students who have made contact with him to “bring your clubs, mandatory, and a cheerful disposition, optional, but highly recommended.”

For more information on lacrosse, golf, or club sports contact the administrators at Walker Field House.