The life of an athlete in high school is filled with blood, sweat and tears. Hard work and dedication is soon followed by unparalleled bonds created with your teammates. Long bus rides, team dinners, and the feeling you get after a big win is best shared with the people that have invested the same amount of heart to achieve that goal. What seems like an endless amount of hours put in is now just a memory to most. So, what happens to these varsity athletes that don't get recruited, that don't walk on to a varsity college sport?

For those of us that love the sport, love the competition, and love the camaraderie, there is definitely something missing when we don’t play a sport in college. There is no longer a love hate relationship with practice right before or after school. You aren't quite sure what to do with all of your free time on weekends, where do you go if not to an early morning practice or a tournament? Workouts in the gym become a little lackluster and even pointless without your teammates there to get you through them. Pasta dinners are no longer something to look forward to, because they seem to have become every other night. We envy the athletes that are able to continue to compete in college not just because of the love of the sport or the thrill of competition but because they are able to become a part of an established support system, a new group of people that share a common interest and goal.

If you are looking for a sport, competition, or camaraderie there is a way to combat these nostalgia induced blues, sport clubs. Sport clubs provide athletes with a structured environment, to practice and compete in the sport of their choosing. They are an excellent way for students to make a whole new group of friends with a sport as their common interest. Sport clubs are as competitive as you choose to make it, a nice in-between of varsity athletics and intramurals. There is always the option to go out and try a new sport, or excel in a sport you’ve already played. Then there is the option to go and compete. Yes, sport clubs travel to other universities to compete, even at the division one levels and for national titles. Forget about bus rides, if you are really looking to bond with a group of people, road trips are the way to go. Sport clubs also host events for universities to travel to and attend. Open to friends, family, and community members to come and watch.

Not pursuing a varsity career in college doesn't mean the end of your athletic career. So if you feel like you are holding onto a memory you don't soon want to forget, or want to experience a new sport all together check out your University's Sport Club program. It is a great way to get involved, get some physical exercise, and meet new people.

The University of South Florida through Student Government and Campus Recreation offer over 40 different sport clubs. Governed by the Sport Club Council, Sport Clubs are free to join for an USF Tampa Campus Student taking at least two credit hours. From indoor sports like badminton and table tennis to field sports like lacrosse and rugby, Sport Clubs is the way to go. Just fill out a waiver on BullSync and you’re ready to go. If you have any questions the USF Sport Club office is located on the lower level of Campus Recreation, room 020. Open Mondays 10 A.M. - 2 P.M., 3 P.M. - 5P.M. and Tuesday through Friday 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.*