by Tyson Peterson, Sports Writer, Tysonpeterson@uvu.edu
Here at UVU there are currently 191 registered clubs, 11 of which are sports clubs. Baseball, cycling, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s rugby, men’s soccer, men’s volleyball, racquetball, rodeo, and fencing are among the many clubs to help students have fun and be active.
A few of the clubs have some upcoming events that students should be aware of. The men’s volleyball club will be holding tryouts on September 2 and 7 on the intramural fields. The aikido (martial arts club) will start having weekly practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. through 5:30 p.m. starting on August 13. While the men’s soccer club will be hosting Weber State on September 14 at 10 a.m. on the Mckay Education Center Fields.
Some of the lesser-known sport clubs are having success and are helping make UVU a national name. Earlier this year, the men’s Rodeo club placed fourthin the region and the women’s club placed third.
Since its inception last year the bass fishing club has been making headlines as well. In the first year, the bass club won two of the four tournaments it entered. The team also had two members who competed in the B.A.S.S. Carhartt College National Championship on Lake Chatuge in Georgia from August 1-3.
The team of Seth Hausman and Weston Brierley made history, being the first team from UVU to ever qualify for this event. The achievement was unexpected, considering this is only the second year of the club’s existence, and the first year competing in B.A.S.S.
Hausman and Brierly qualified for the championship by placing in the top ten at Clear Lake in California by edging out their own teammates Zach Taylor and Tate Brown to secure qualification for Lake Chatuge. By the end of the championship run, the tandem had 10 fish, which landed them in 11th out of the original field of 68.
Football is also on the rise here at UVU. Last year, the Football club fared well as a member of the Utah Tackle Football League, with various players finishing among the best in the state statistically. Chase Orwin was second in the league for most yards rushed, Alan Sheffer was second in the league for most tackles, Jake Jensen was number one in the league for sacks and Matt Roberts was third in the league for interceptions and touchdowns. The Wolverines went 5-1 in the regular season and lost their playoff game in triple overtime.
After taking over as Club President last year, James Andersen was asked about the football club and the possibility of getting a fully-fledged College Team.
“UVU might as well take advantage of a league that is set up,” Andersen said. “There are other teams that would play us if we could get a field and an 11 man team. Right now it’s kind of rag tag, but a lot of college sports is just coming out and supporting. I would say the first step is getting the word out there.”
The Wolverines play Saturdays at Lakeridge Junior High, starting September 7.
UVU clubs are a fun and exciting way to be involved at UVU. Joining a sports club and playing during the season can offer the opportunity to make new connections and friends. For students interested in joining any of UVU clubs, head over to www.uvu.edu/clubs and click join a club to get started today.
