![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/files\/2017\/10\/slider-clubsports.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce I began attending UTC I missed the team aspect and competitiveness that sports provided for me, so it only made sense to get involved with club sports,\u201d explains Nathaniel Ortiz, the current Baseball Club adviser pursuing a master\u2019s in business administration.<\/p>\n
For Ortiz and many students, club sports answer the need for the camaraderie of organized sports, without taking too much from a student\u2019s schedule.<\/p>\n
Ortiz was a member of the team and president when it won the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA) DII World Series last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe never got too ahead of ourselves and focused only on the games we were currently playing,\u201d says Ortiz.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat mentality of being present in the moment allowed us to stay on task and enjoy what was happening,\u201d he continues. \u201cIt was a big moment for us, and I credit it all to the leaders on the team. Honestly, without them we wouldn’t have accomplished what we did.\u201d<\/p>\n
Club sports have more to offer than the name suggests, Ortiz adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIgnore the stigma attached to the title of \u2018club sports.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
“Some members of the baseball team have played baseball in Division-I NCAA or junior\/community college but enjoyed playing more at the club level because it’s still competitive without making it a lifestyle while trying to earn an education,\u201d Ortiz says.<\/p>\n
The diversity of student interest and outdoor resources in Chattanooga is obvious with just a cursory glance at the club sports teams offered on campus.<\/p>\n
Sure, there are classics like baseball and volleyball, but quidditch and equestrian have also been active in recent years.<\/p>\n
With campus located just steps away from the Tennessee River, the Bass Anglers and Rowing teams are thriving as well.<\/p>\n
An estimated 15 club sports teams will be active this year at UTC, but the number can always change depending on students\u2019 interests.<\/p>\n
Eddrick Brooks<\/a>\u2019 <\/u>office is located just inside the main entrance of the Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC). Coordinator of club sports and the source for information, logistics and moral support for all club sports team leaders and participants, he says it\u2019s easy for students to try out for a new sport or pick up an old favorite.<\/p>\n \u201cQuickly engage with someone who is a leader in that club \u2014 the officer, treasurer, president. I think largely, that\u2019s what club sports is about: student engagement,\u201d explains Brooks.<\/p>\n The gateway to club sports is MocSync<\/a>, the online portal to all UTC student organizations. Students can connect to teams by clicking \u201cjoin,\u201d which will set them up to receive email updates with information on meetings and practices.<\/p>\n An estimated 15 club sports teams will be active this year at UTC, but the number can always change depending on students\u2019 interests.<\/p><\/div>\n A lot of work goes into keeping the teams active.<\/strong> Because the teams are student-led, those who step up to leadership positions must handle such responsibilities as budgeting, fundraising and communicating with national or international league offices.<\/p>\n \u201cFinding a leadership role within club sports isn’t hard to do if \u2014 and only if \u2014 you are willing to put in time and dedication for the team,\u201d says Rachael Horn, team member and president of women\u2019s volleyball. \u201cBecause all of club sports are student-run, help is always welcome but finding someone who is dedicated is the tricky part.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t let those responsibilities intimidate you too much, Ortiz says.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there’s any hesitation to take on the role, you should know that some leaders are born, and some leaders are made,\u201d he explains. \u201cEven if someone doesn’t have the tools right now to be a good or even great leader, the tools will come in time with an open mind and dedication towards becoming the best person you can be.<\/p>\n \u201cNot everything you do will be a success, but what creates the success is learning from the losses and building on the wins.\u201d<\/p>\n Faculty advisors and sponsorships help keep the student-run machines going.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we give them (club sports teams) from their student activity fee doesn\u2019t always cover everything,\u201d explains Brooks. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to say just how valuable the connections with the faculty, staff and community are.<\/p>\n \u201cI look at these clubs as, in essence, nonprofits. They are responsible for raising their own money, the ins and outs of the business, their paperwork, accruing sponsorship, donations and even volunteering as a method to fundraise.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooks points to his computer screen and an intricate flowchart with arrows connecting steps and instructions. His finger hovers over a cluster of boxes in the middle of the screen.<\/p>\n \u201cThat trifecta: Sponsorships, donations and fundraisers are all things that they need to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Iconic, Chattanooga-based MoonPie has partnered with the Bass Anglers team since its inception. The \u201coutta-this-world\u201d snack pays for every teammate\u2019s jersey. To demonstrate their appreciation, the team always has a box of MoonPies on hand for local and national tournaments so other teams can get a taste of Chattanooga.<\/p>\n \u201cAnderson Marine Family Boating Center in Old Hickory, TN is our backbone throughout the season,\u201d says a spokesperson from the team.<\/p>\n The family boating center supports the team\u2019s travel costs with hotels, gas money, and the occasional team dinner.<\/p>\n \u201cWe couldn\u2019t do this without their help and we do all we can whenever we can to give back to them.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more:<\/p>\n UTC Women\u2019s Rowing team ranked no. 11 in U.S.<\/a><\/p>\n Pain for Gain: UTC Women\u2019s Novice rowing team competes in national championship<\/a><\/p>\n Scrappy Mocs Club Baseball team wins NCBA DII World Series<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/files\/2017\/10\/20160906-first-day-rowing-0131-200x300.jpg\")
A step further<\/h3>\n
Support systems<\/h3>\n