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Printer-Friendly ModeUniversity allocates funding to club, intramural athletics
October 23, 2006 —
The University recently allocated over $17,000 for intramural and club sports in a move that further supports student activities.
With strong enrollment and more legislative assistance than expected, the University had additional funds to allow for an extra $4,600 to be budgeted for intramural sports and $13,000 for club sports. The Student Counseling Center also received added funding, receiving an extra $5,000 to help support its programs, in particular the BACCHUS Network.
"We're delighted that we have the capacity to do this," says University President Eric R. Gilbertson. "We want the students to be involved in those kinds of activities."
Gilbertson said students who get involved on campus and participate in such activities are often well-rounded students who tend to graduate in higher numbers than those that do not participate. And since the number of students participating in such activities is increasing, the University was pleased to provide some assistance.
"There are more students involved in more things," Gilbertson says. "We want to support that."
Robert L. Maurovich, vice president for Student Services and Enrollment Management, says the exact breakdown for funding is not yet available, though there are some general ideas of how it will be used. Paying for game officials and facility rental, for example, are two areas in need of funding.
Maurovich also indicated the money going to club sports will be seen as "seed money," which will help get club teams started. The teams which should benefit the most from the funds will be the hockey club as well as both the men's and women's lacrosse teams, all of which have just been formed within the last year.
"Club sports are becoming part of the campus infrastructure," Maurovich says. "We're seeing now where students take a look at the universities in terms of the ability to play club sports."
Campus Recreation Coordinator K.J. Foster says the money will be limited to competitive club teams that are part of a national affiliation. He indicated the women's swim team, which is currently trying to form, could also possibly get some funding.
For the time being, though, Foster says the other three club teams will see the most benefit and that both he and the team members were pleased with the news of the additional University support.
"I am not an emotional person," Foster says, "but it almost brought a tear to my eye."
Club Hockey Team President Jake Trombley says Foster broke the news to the team rather comically, coming to an early morning practice looking concerned. Trombley says Foster told him he needed to address the team after practice with some important news.
While the team expected the worst, Foster stood before them and warned that no one should get physical or get too worked up over what he was about to tell them. He then informed everyone that the team's officials and home ice would be paid for and everyone in the locker room "just went nuts."
Trombley was quick to thank the University and everyone who has supported the team thus far. His teammate, Nate Engstrom, thanked everyone but also added that things had been looking a little scary for the team in regards to funding.
"It was looking pretty grim there for awhile," Engstrom says. "A lot of us tried to put our heads together and find out ways that we could get money.
Foster says the teams and players deserve the money and that their hard work and dedication both on and off the field make the additional funding that much sweeter.
"These kids work hard," he says. "They practice just as hard as any athletic program at SVSU, and they take it just as serious.”