Many of Loyola’s club sports have fallen on hard times; however, all hope for club sports’ return to prosperity at Loyola is not lost.
With the fates of the inactive ice hockey, men’s lacrosse and crew clubs dwindling, members of the active club sports are fighting to be able to continue partaking in the sports they are passionate about.
Dillon Warren, international business freshman and member of Loyola’s men’s rugby club, is optimistic on the fate of the men’s rugby club.
“Right now, things are not going well, but we have a core group of guys who are committed to improving the club and making sure it stays around for years to come,” he said.
“We are focusing on the business side of the club, rather than the actual game-play, because we are striving for stability to build a quality, competitive club,” said Warren.
The men’s rugby club has only 20 members, thus making it hard for the club to hold a tryout or comprise a depth chart to help evaluate talent.
“We don’t have enough people committed to the club, so we’re willing to teach people the game in hopes of expanding the club,” said Warren.
Although the men’s rugby club is having a difficult time attracting new members, Loyola has supported the club through its struggles. Loyola has provided the club with a place to practice in the quad and also the necessary equipment.
Loyola’s dance team recently held tryouts for new members for the 2010-2011 team. The dance team, usually consisted of seven to 10 members, hosted approximately ten students who showcased their dancing abilities in the university’s recreational complex Saturday, April 10. The club is considered an up and coming club that helps entertain the attendees of men’s and women’s basketball games and volleyball games.
Unlike the men’s rugby and dance clubs, the sailing club has not gartered as much attention. However, the sailing club, led by William Nunn, marketing junior, is an active club that practices weekly and often competes in races against other schools’ sailing clubs.
Daniel Housey, history freshman, is employed by the Southern Yacht Club and has been sailing since he was seven.
“Sailing is something I love to do; it really clears my mind,” said Housey.
Housey was asked to join the sailing club by Nunn but declined due to the lack of notoriety the club receives at Loyola.
“If I was at a school with a more prominent sailing club, I probably would have joined,” said Housey.
Also, unlike the rugby club who is constantly searching for new members, the sailing club does not vigorously attempt to recruit new members who have never sailed before.
“They could do a lot more, like attract people who have never sailed before,” said Housey.
While the short term fates of these active clubs are very much hanging in the balance, the long term futures depend on the clubs’ members and how much support they can receive from Loyola administration and the student body.
Richard Dempsey can be reached at