FAQ's
KU Recreation Services (KURS) Sport Clubs are recognized student organizations that are student led and initiated. Sport Clubs are made up of a variety of individuals such as KU students, faculty and staff that have a desire to compete or participate in a sport throughout their time at the University of Kansas. The clubs may be recreational, instructional or competitive in nature. Sport Clubs are not NCAA athletic teams or intramural sports.
KURS Sport Clubs are not to be confused with KU Student Organizations that are also filed/organized under the category "sport clubs" within the Student Leadership and Involvement Center (SILC). Though KURS Sport Clubs are required to abide by SILC requirements and be listed under the Rock Chalk Central website, not all student organizations under this category are affiliated clubs with the KU Recreation Services Sport Club Program.
KURS’ affiliated Sport Clubs can be found under the “current clubs” section on the Sport Clubs page of the KU Recreation Services website.
Follow the link below to find out more about our current clubs! https://recreation.ku.edu/sport-clubs
The best way to join a KURS’ Sport Club is to contact the club directly; contact information for the clubs can be found under the specific club's drop down menu within the "current clubs" section of our website,https://recreation.ku.edu/sport-clubs .
The club officer(s) will provide you with information on club tryouts, practice schedules, dues, and other club requirements.
Time commitment is determined by the level of competitiveness of each club, practice/competition scheduling and your personal commitment. Student initiated and student led clubs determine, by their own process, how active they will be.
All KURS’ Sport Clubs are required to collect dues at a minimum of $5 per member. All clubs have full autonomy of dues charged , in both the amount that is charged (with $5 being the minimum amount charged) and the frequency that dues are charged.
The cost of dues can be based on the level of competition they operate (recreational, instructional, competitive), the time commitment or skill level of the member. Most clubs charge dues either on a yearly or a semesterly basis. For clubs requiring equipment to play, the individual is responsible for purchasing the necessary personal items.
Many of our clubs travel within the state of Kansas, regionally and/or nationally for competition alongside other university affiliated clubs and/or scholarship teams.
Travel for competitions is optional and determined by the competitiveness and membership of each club.
Depending on the competitiveness and membership size of the club, some clubs will have try-outs to determine their travel or competition team. Try-outs are typically held at the beginning of the semester.
The clubs that currently host tryouts are as follows:
Baseball
Ice Hockey
Men’s Lacrosse
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Softball
Men’s Volleyball
Women’s Volleyball
Though all our clubs do not have try-outs, some may have “open” practices to allow potential new members the opportunity to learn about the sport and the time commitment it requires. This provides the opportunity for new members to gauge their interest in the club.
For more information regarding specific club activities and requirements, please contact the club directly.
NEW CLUB RECOGNITION
A prospective Sport Club must meet all of the following criteria to obtain Sport Club Membership within KU Recreation Services:
1. Your Club must be a registered Student Organization with KU and on Rock Chalk Central for at least a year before possible acceptance into the Sport Club Program - Containing at least 3 officers (President, Vice President, and Treasurer), Advisor, and roster of at least 8 student members.
2. Submit a “Request for Membership” document to a Sport Club Program Manager along with the required documents attached:
a. Written proposal that should include the following:
i. How your organization is consistent with the KU Recreation Services’ purpose and mission statement.
ii. Why your organization feels it should be a Sport Club at KU.
iii. How your organization plans to aid in the development of the Sport Club Program as a whole.
iv. Why your organization feels that it should be allowed KU Recreation Facility space.
v. List of other institutions that have your specific club within the Big 12 or regionally.
b. Budget Mockup
i. Is a document (preferably excel sheet) that estimates many of the expenses that will be incurred by the club’s operations.
c. Constitution
i. A club’s constitution should be your “operating guide” on how the club should run, make decisions, and any other important matters that may arise.
ii. A “Constitution Guide” can be obtained online.
3. Meet the definition of a Sport Club
a. A University of Kansas Sport Club is a registered student organization recognized by the Sport Club Executive Board and formed by individuals with a common interest and desire to participate in a sport or recreational activity that is non-sedentary and involves rigorous physical exertion. Clubs may be competitive, recreational, or instructional in nature, or may have any combination of these characteristics. Sport Clubs are administratively supported by the KU Recreation Services; however, there is an emphasis on student leadership as the clubs are student-organized, student-managed, and student-operated.
4. Open a SOFAS (Student Organizations Financial Accounting Systems) Account
a. New account checklist
i. SILC Registration - http://www.silc.ku.edu
ii. Address form - http://www.procurement.ku.edu/sofas
iii. Signature card form - http://www.procurement.ku.edu/sofas
iv. Letter of Purpose - Your faculty advisor will submit a letter that explains the purpose and plans of your organization, along with their signature.
b. Any Questions about SOFAS?
i. Contact SOFAS: Sofas@ku.edu
Voting Procedure
After the prerequisites have been met, the Sport Club Executive Board will vote on their recommendation to induct the prospective organization into the Sport Club Program via the voting procedures as listed in the Sport Club Handbook. The current Sport Club Executive Board members will vote via confidential documentation. After the Executive Board confirms their recommendation, each club president will have the opportunity to vote on the prospective club’s acceptance into the Sport Club Program. The prospective organization will be notified via email on its acceptance or declination to the Sport Club Program.
First Year Sport Club Probationary Status
Upon acceptance into the Sport Club Program the new sport club must complete the following steps within their probationary year. Note some items are required to be completed immediately upon acceptance into the Sport Club Program and will be noted below.
- Immediate: Complete registration on DoSportsEasyKU.com for all club members.
- Immediate: Establish a safety officer for the club who is an active member who regularly attends practice, events and competitions.
- Immediate: Complete all required paperwork.
- By Required Date: Attend monthly meetings with Sport Club staff.
- By Required Date: Complete a training/meeting with student conduct.
- Topic and overall discussion of this training will be determined by Sport Club staff.
- Maintain a Report Card Grade of at least 80%.
- By Required Date: Generate at minimum $200.
- By Required Date: Completed /renewed their registration with SILC.
- Immediate: Student interest in the club was demonstrated by a membership of 8 active members or more.
- Club was represented by 2 or more at all required Sport Club Officer Workshops
- Club attended all COMs and fulfilled any requirements set forth within the COMs.
- Club purpose continues to be consistent with KU Recreation Service’s purpose and philosophy.
- Adequate facilities and personnel continue to be available for the club to meet and practice.
*Upon acceptance into the Sport Club program, during the first year of probationary status, Sport Clubs are eligible to apply for up to $500 of the Sport Club Supplemental Budget. The request made by the club must follow the same requirements of the spending of restricted funds.
Upon completion of one-year probationary status the executive board will determine, based on the clubs’ report card grade, generated income, and overall participation within the sport club program whether the status of the club will be renewed and if the club will have full membership within the Sport Club program.
The Sport Club Program Handbook can be found within the University of Kansas Policy Library.