Support and Expectations

If you are currently associated with, or desire to be associated with, a Club Sport (or potential Club Sport) here at Mansfield University, please read the important information below regarding Club Sport expectations and support. All Club Sports must maintain compliance documentation and policies in order to be considered an official Mansfield University Club Sport program. We are striving to be a liaison for Club Sports - providing guidance, support, and information to those who participate.

General Definitions

Club Sports are MU clubs or organizations that compete against other non-MU institutions or organizations. Club Sport games and competitions may take place at MU or away from campus at other sites or institutions. (As opposed to Intramurals where MU students compete against other MU students, and all games take place on campus.)

Most importantly, the element of competition is the defining characteristic of Club Sport teams. There may be campus clubs or organizations that play a game or sport amongst themselves on campus. However, there must be a level of competition outside of just the campus community (i.e. against other schools or organizations) to be officially recognized as a Mansfield University Club Sport.

Support

There are many benefits of being an officially recognized MU Club Sport:

• Leadership development opportunities - for example, as a club officer
• Each Club Sport has/can get their own mailbox within the AHSC if desired
• Have your team included on the official MU Club Sports site - supports current participants, tool to recruit future participants, information source for outside entities looking for competitions, informational resource. Pictures and information is sought for this in supporting your group! Links to organizational websites can be listed under each Club Sport here as well (ex: Facebook)
• The latest relevant information is provided to Club Sports - such as details on field usage, equipment storage, opportunities to promote the organization, and on/off campus outreach in providing support
• Programming assistance - advice, problem-solving, general assistance, mentoring, and direction
• Promotion and publicity - assistance in increasing the visibility of the Club Sport.

Expectations

All Club Sports must have ongoing compliance with the following expectations in order to be considered an official MU Club Sports program:

• The organization must meet the definition of a Club Sport. The classification of Club Sport applies to organizations that are composed of enrolled students that are voluntarily participating in competitions of a physical nature against other non-Mansfield University institutions or organizations on or off of the Mansfield University campus. Club Sports provide an opportunity for students to get together regularly to play a sport they love or would like to learn, though they do not meet as often or for as long as varsity teams. Club Sports are typically managed and run by the participants themselves, along with an advisor that is most often a University faculty or staff member. Club Sports provide an opportunity for competition at specialized levels, participation in events/tournaments, and opportunities to practice. Many clubs provide instruction and opportunities for skill development, and typically no prior experience with a particular program is necessary.
• The club officers/advisor(s) must ensure that a Petition to Create a Campus Organization is completed through the division of Student Life. This electronic form can be obtained here: http://www.mansfield.edu/student-organizations/petition-to-create-organization.cfm
• Within the current regular academic year, the organization must have scheduled competitions against other non-MU institutions or organizations on or off of the MU campus
• A written listing of names, phone numbers, email addresses, and position of student officers and advisor(s) must be submitted upon request, and updates must be reported as they occur, to the Kelchner Fitness Center
• Participation in any Club Sports program activity (practice or competition) is contingent on proof of valid insurance coverage by each individual
• Each Club Sport advisor is responsible for ensuring that only those with proof of valid insurance coverage are participating in any manner at on or off campus practices and competitions
• Each Club Sport advisor must maintain and submit a current list of participants, along with submitting a copy of proof of insurance, to Mike Stamp in the Kelchner Fitness Center
• All Club Sports program participants and advisors have an obligation to refrain from actions and behavior that may jeopardize themselves or other Club Sports program participants. The division of Student Life overseeing Club Sports reserves the right to remove participants or groups from the program for actions/behavior that are deemed dangerous to themselves and/or other Club Sports program participants
• More than one advisor is acceptable, but each Club Sport must have at least one advisor that is a current Mansfield University faculty or staff member
• If you wish to seek funding, the group must meet the requirements of a recognized student organization, as defined by the Student Government Association (SGA): http://www.mansfield.edu/sga/ This is highly recommended in order to seek funding to participate in competitions

Please feel free to email, call, or stop in the Kelchner Fitness Center at any time! We are always here to support your Club Sport passions and endeavors!