A Club Sport is a student-led organization established through the Campus Recreation Department. Club Sports are designed to serve those who have an interest in committing to an organized sport while at WOU. Club Sports can be recreational or instructional. However, most WOU Club Sports are competitive and represent Western Oregon University in intercollegiate competition. Club Sports teams regularly participate in scheduled practices, may employ part-time coaches, and many compete against other schools across Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and the nation.

Additionally, Club Sports provide students-officers with a unique learning experience that allows for the development of skills such as team leadership, public relations, fundraising, budgeting, and scheduling. Involvement in a group and team setting creates opportunities to enhance the student´s overall experiences at Western Oregon University.

For more information about each Club Sport, and to join a team, go to www.imleagues.com/WOU and click on the “CLUB SPORTS” tab.

What is the difference between Intramural Sports, Club Sports, and NCAA Athletics?

Intramural (IM) teams are organized by, and comprised of, students, faculty, and staff. These teams compete against other WOU IM teams in leagues or tournaments organized by the WOU Campus Recreation Department. IM teams typically do not have coaches or regularly scheduled practices. IMs are a “low-key” way to participate in organized sports with friends, roommates, and/or classmates.

Under the guidance of the Campus Recreation Department, Club Sports teams are managed and run by the teams’ elected student officers. These officers are responsible for adherence to their league or national organization rules, coach selection, travel planning, fundraising, scheduling practices, and purchasing equipment/uniforms. Club Sports bridge the gap between Intramural Sports and Intercollegiate Athletics as they are still primarily student-led but offer the opportunity to represent WOU in intercollegiate competition and compete for conference, regional, and national championships.

WOU’s NCAA Athletic teams adhere to the NCAA Division II guidelines, policies, and regulations are managed by the WOU coaches and Athletic Department Administrators.

Tier I
Generally speaking, Club Sports in Tier I compete against other Universities/Colleges in formal competition or perform publicly (i.e. Dance Team).

• Tier I Club Sports typically operate within a governing body (such as a conference or organization) that defines rules for practice/competition, playing season, eligibility for competition, and scheduling.
• To be considered Tier I, a team must participate in, or publicly perform (i.e. Dance Team) at least five (5) times during the academic year.
• Tier I teams are expected to hold practice sessions at least twice each week with the primary goal of skill development and preparation for competition.

Tier II
Club Sports in Tier II conducts sports activities with an emphasis placed on recreation and socializing around a common sports interest.

• Self-directed sport and leisure pursuits
• May have an occasional team or individual competition
• Occasional group outings/trips
• Limited or no travel
• Moderate administrative support from Campus Recreation

For all match schedules please visit IMLeagues Club Sports or use the table below for each specific Club Sports team’s match schedule. For Live streamed Club Sport matches please visit the WOU Club Sports YouTube page.

In addition to WOU students, any community college student can join a WOU Campus Recreation Club Sports team with the Club Sport Player Pass membership. In most cases, community college students with an active Club Sport Player Pass will be eligible for full participation in Club Sports practices and competitions, just as any WOU student would be.

Please note that some WOU Club Sports operate under National Governing Bodies that have eligibility guidelines which may limit a non-WOU student’s eligibility for certain competitions. For more information about the eligibility restrictions for the Club Sport(s) you are interested in, please complete the Club Sport Player Pass application or contact us using the information below.

Community college students interested in obtaining a WOU Club Sports Player pass must meet the following criteria:

1. Complete an online Club Sport Player Pass Application form on the WOU Club Sport website. Your application will be reviewed, and you will be contacted by email with additional information about the Club Sport(s) you indicate you are interested in.

Once step 1 is completed, Campus Recreation will guide you through the remaining steps, which are as follows:

2. Provide WOU Campus Recreation with transcripts verifying current enrollment at a community college. This must be completed each term, prior to participating in Club Sports at WOU that term
3. Purchase a Club Sports Player Pass
4. Complete all registration processes, forms, and waivers required of any WOU Club Sport participant prior to participation, which may include registration with that Club Sport’s national governing body
5. Pay any Club Sports team dues

Community College students are limited to 7 terms of WOU Club Sport eligibility

Contact the WOU Campus Recreation office at 503-838-8513 / maina@wou.edu for more information or assistance with the Club Sport Player pass application.

Rugby Partnership with Chemeketa Community College
With the support and guidance of National Collegiate Rugby, WOU has established a formal partnership with Chemeketa Community College for full collegiate rugby eligibility. This partnership ensures that Chemeketa students who obtain a Club Sport Player Pass and join the WOU Rugby Club are fully eligible to participate in all team activities, including conference matches and playoff competitions. (Rugby eligibility for non-WOU students would have been restricted to practices and non-conference matches without this formal partnership in place, per National Collegiate Rugby guidelines).
Contact the WOU Campus Recreation office at 503-838-8513 / maina@wou.edu for more

Each club´s classification will be reviewed annually and reflect the club´s overall activities and operations. The classification of each club is independent of their membership status/privileges. Each club is a sponsored student organization under the administration of the Campus Recreation Department. Participation in the club is not a right and privilege may be revoked at any time.

Starting a New Club Sport

Club Sports Handbook

WOU Club Sport Officer Responsibilities

WOU Rugby Alumni Financial Hardship Program