Projects, homework and midterms got you down? What better time to take a break from all of the studying — or Netflix watching — and get the blood flowing while having fun and trying something new like a recreational sports club?
There are 425 organizations available for students at Stony Brook University to join, and 30 of them are exclusively sports-related. Here, there is something for everyone. From athletes who favor contact sports like women’s rugby, to others who enjoy the art of hula-hooping, students have the opportunity to choose from dozens of clubs and activities that suit their fancy.
Regardless of your skill level, here are seven recreational sports teams you may not have heard about that are fun, exciting and always looking for new members:
Alexa Barricelli, left, a senior psychology major and art minor, is looking to break the stereotypes of women’s rugby as the teams captain. “Whether you gain weight or you lose weight, we have a position for you,” Barricelli said. “You can do anything in this sport with whatever body shape or size you are. You come in and you’re on the team – you’re in our family.” Photo by Jasmine Blennau (Feb. 27, 2015).The Stony Brook Women’s Rugby team is looking to recruit. The team gathers year round, with the main season in the fall and tournaments in the spring. The club was established in 1981 and last year was the first time it went to nationals, where the girls came in 5th place. The team currently practices at the Multi-Activity Courts in the basement of the Campus Recreation Center because of the snow and ice outside. These indoor practices are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Fridays, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays. When the outdoor conditions clear, the practice times change to 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. Photo by Jasmine Blennau (Feb. 27, 2015).
Jackie Tang, a senior biology major and the president of the Stony Brook University Badminton Club, hopes that students are not afraid to join the club because of inexperience. “We have all different skill levels and we all have fun,” Tang said. “I think it’s a good environment to meet new friends and exercise at the same time.” Photo by Lauren Fetter (Feb. 28, 2015).Elan Maduro, left, and Janice Loh, right, concentrate on keeping a constant volley while at practice. The Stony Brook University Badminton Club was started in 2011 and currently has over 80 members. The badminton team, which includes a handful of selected members of the club set to compete in tournaments, recently won second place in Division II of the 2015 Boston Collegiate Badminton Tournament. The club meets regularly in the Multi-Activity Courts in the basement of the Campus Recreation Center on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Photo by Lauren Fetter (Feb. 28, 2015).
Janelle Bawayan, the president of the Fencing club, said that people should join fencing because it is a unique sport that offers three different sports, each with their own weapon, within it: Epee, foil and sabre. “The team is like a small family and we bond over the course of each passing tournament,” Bawayan said. “With the right people in leadership and the right attitude about the sport, I think that the club can weather any hard times that hit it and build a sense of resilience.” Photo by Lauren Fetter (Feb. 28, 2015).The Stony Brook University Fencing club was started in 2004 with 21 members. The club will be attending two championships before the end of the semester. Practice is held at the Multi-Activity Courts in the basement of the Campus Recreation Center for practice on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday practice is held at the Campus Recreation Center basketball courts from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Photo by Lauren Fetter (Feb. 28, 2015).
Freshman and English major Rebecca Zimmerman, left, said that the Quidditch team is one of the reasons she decided to attend Stony Brook University. “The club is a great introduction to sports,” Zimmerman said. “It’s very nerdy and tight-knit, but it’s also competitive and rigorous.” Photo by Lauren Fetter (Feb. 28, 2015).The Stony Brook University Quidditch team was founded in 2010 and competes in a variety of tournaments and competitions against other colleges in the Northeast region. The team meets at the Multi-Activity Courts in the basement of the Campus Recreation Center for indoor practice from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays until March 23. From March 23 until May 9, the team will hold outdoor practice from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. Open to all skill levels, the Quidditch team is looking to continue to bring this fictional sport to life and build up their roster while having fun. Photo by Lauren Fetter (Feb. 28, 2015).
During the warmer months you have probably seen the Stony Brook Hula-Hoop Enthusiasts dancing and spinning at Staller, but from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 0.m. on Tuesdays they are practicing in SAC 307. This club provides students with a fun, relaxing activity to express themselves. They have about ten regular members during the colder months and they would love it if you joined. No experience, or hoop, necessary! Photo by Jasmine Blennau (March 3, 2015).The Stony Brook Hula-Hoop Enthusiast club founder and president, Lily Nack, is a senior environmental humanities and civil engineering double major who believes that hooping is a great release for students who stress about things like school, life, work and money. “It’s play, it’s dance, really it’s whatever you want it to be,” Nack said. “It’s a joyous activity. We teach each other and it’s very beautiful in that regard.” Photo by Jasmine Blennau (March 3, 2015).
Regina An, a senior economics major and philosophy minor, is all smiles while practicing jabs. “Boxing club is known for a hardcore workout,” An said. “I like to sweat and feel myself making progress. You’ll make progress here.” Photo by Jasmine Blennau (Feb. 27, 2015).The Stony Brook Boxing Club values fitness and boxing technique. The club welcomes anyone who wants to get in shape and learn about boxing. Members spend the first hour of practice conditioning, and the second hour working on their boxing forms. The club meets from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Fridays. Photo by Jasmine Blennau (Feb. 27,2015).
The men’s and women’s ultimate frisbee clubs practice together outdoors on the grass practice fields by South P from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Fridays. The team was established in 2006 and this year is the first year that the women’s team has competed on its own in tournaments. The fall season is used for recruiting and practicing, while the spring is more focused on winning tournaments. The team is always looking for new members and no experience is required. Photo by Jasmine Blennau (March 4, 2015).James Green, an information systems major and the captain of the men’s ultimate frisbee team, said that he is excited to have more people in the sport. “Students should join our club because it’s a sport that’s great for everyone,” Green said. “We cater to every kind of player, casual and competitive. It’s a good mix of fun and competition.” Photo by Jasmine Blennau (March 4, 2015).
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