The Return of Club Sports at Hofstra University
Hofstra University is slowly breathing life back into its campus by allowing clubs, club sports, and spirit support groups to meet safely on campus. The Covid-19 pandemic affected more than just classes and college level sports, it affected club sports too. Club sports are a huge part of Hofstra, and a major entity for Campus Recreation.
There are currently 26 different club sports teams that are made up of Hofstra University students. They are offered the chance to be a part of a team without the D1 commitment. The club sports get the opportunity to practice recreationally and compete at a collegiate level with other club sports.
Hofstra has set some rules in order for club sports to be successful and practice safely during this difficult time. All members of the teams must wear a mask, be socially distant from each other and fill out the mandatory health screening questionnaire before practice. They also must be overseen by a full-time staff member, graduate assistant, or coach from the Department of Campus Recreation.
Lia Zafiropoulos, Club Sports Graduate Assistant, and member of Club Women’s Lacrosse, she speaks on how the pandemic has affected how practices are happening. “With club lacrosse there is not a lot of touching and more passing so practice doesn’t seem like such a change but due to the pandemic it has left a different feel to all students. Sports are a big part of campus life and it has been a year since we all got back together so practice has definitely been a change,” said Zafiropoulos.
Zafiropoulos also discusses how being back on the field affects her job, “with practice now starting, I’m happy for all club sports to be back in their element. As for me, I’m happy that I am back to being a big part in my job. I love being a part of club sports at Hofstra and being able to be back on the field as a player and as an employee is something I look forward to!”
“Our competitive season (conference play) is in the Fall, and we play exhibition games and tournaments in the spring,” said Graduate Student and member of Men’s Rugby, Andrew Gertz. “Since Covid started in the spring, all of our exhibition games and tournaments were cancelled. For the past Fall, we were still not able to play any competitive games (our conference cancelled all games anyways).”
Gertz describes how rugby is doing with the new protocols in place for practices, “since rugby is a contact heavy sport, we really can’t do anything that we would normally do in practice. Really the only things we can do are conditioning and passing drills, as long as we are 6 feet apart,” Gertz says,“ I’m happy to at least be out on the field, but wish there were more things we were allowed to do.”
“In terms of this season, it just seemed like we would play the season by year,” said Jade Clavier, a Club Women’s Lacrosse member. “Our fall ball season was canceled, but we continued to meet remotely to stay connected. The spring season has begun and we have started to meet for short periods of time to practice and get back into our regular schedule.”
Clavier expresses her feelings on the returning of practice, “With practice starting again, I’m glad we all have the opportunity to exercise and connect with each other. Given the circumstances, I think I speak on behalf of everyone, we’ll take any practice time we can get.”
There are many hopeful thoughts that teams will be able to fully play and compete next fall. Gertz says, “I think that we will be able to practice and play games fully by the fall.” Zafiropoulos adds, “I do believe we will continue wearing masks but as long as we continue playing socially distanced and receive regular testing we should be able to continue a regular season.”
Campus Recreation started a Club Sport/Spirit Support Council, where the executive board helps unify all club sports and spirit support organizations through the promotion of sportsmanship, leadership, competition, cooperation, and fun. This council was made so club sports/spirit support can voice their opinions and have more say in general happenings.
Melissa Braunstein, Vice President of the Club Sport/Spirit Support Council and member of Club Women’s Lacrosse, weighs in on how she feels everything is going. “I’m honestly really surprised at the amount of support clubs sports are receiving and at how willing the team members are to follow protocols in order to practice” says Braunstein.
Braunstein adds, “I think it’s going better than people thought and it’s awesome that the coaches for some of the teams have been approved to come back to campus too. It is truly starting to feel a bit normal here on campus, now let’s just hope things can stay this way and progress more for the fall.”
Not only do club sports serve as an outlet for students, it’s an opportunity where they make lifelong relationships and memories. College students are allowed to continue their passion for playing sports and still be a part of other clubs or organizations.
With open minds and happy hearts, club sports have been back together practicing since the beginning of March. Clubs must fill out a weekly form to request practice space on what day and time they want. It then gets approved by directors at Campus Recreation and OSLE.
It was a tough time for clubs sports in the fall as they weren’t allowed to officially meet in person. “The only way we were able to meet was over Zoom, so our coach and team would meet there to discuss team updates and on the field matters” says Gertz. Clavier adds, “Not having the ability to practice was a pretty big bummer, as the lacrosse team has become a huge support system and outlet for me.”
The campus of Hofstra University is livelier and happier now that Club Sports have started back up, even though there are many protocols to follow.
