OFFICE OF INTRAMURAL, RECREATION, AND SPORT CLUBS

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPORT CLUB ORGANIZATION

We are located in Gerald Ratner Center, Room 141. Contact Tamsen Burke, 773/702-4658 or tburke@uchicago.edu.

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPORT CLUB PROGRAM

Sport Clubs are important part of the University of Chicago Department of Physical Education and Athletics program. The success of programs offered by Sport Clubs has significantly enhanced the quality of life on campus. It is important that all of the Sport Clubs work together with the Office of Intramural, Recreation, and Sport Clubs for the welfare and safety of all participants. It is essential that the policies and procedures in this handbook be followed and that a direct and constant flow of information is exchanged between your Club and the Office of Intramural, Recreation, Sport Clubs.

ORGANIZATION

Mission Statement
Our mission is to convey to the University community the joy and exhilaration that can be experienced by including recreation and wellness as healthy elements of daily life.

To reach this goal, the staff provides opportunities to learn new skills, games, activities and the role these activities play in living a full and healthy life. Opportunities are offered to explore one's limits, experience achievement, and practice wholesome stress-management techniques. Activities regularly promote social interaction within the culturally diverse University community. Opportunities abound to support and enhance the educational mission of the University. Students are continually challenged to examine their values and life choices in the search to build a meaningful identity and understand themselves and others. The numerous competitive and cooperative interchanges provide an ideal climate for learning to respect the dignity and worth of the individual, as well as the importance of team development.

Sport Clubs Philosophy
The Office of Intramural, Recreation, Sport Clubs, a unit of the Department of Physical Education and Athletics, is comprised of the following programming areas: Intramural Sports, Sport Clubs, and Equipment Rental. The Sports Club program is committed to offer sports activities to meet students competitive, recreational, educational, and social needs. The Sport Clubs program is designed to serve individual interest in sports. Sport Clubs are organized and administered by the club members through their elected officers.

Governance of Program
The Sport Clubs teams are governed by the regulations of the Assistant Chair Intramural, Recreation, Sport Clubs. Proceeding, during, and following participation, the Sport Clubs program reflects not only on the clubs, but also on the Department of Physical Education and Athletics and the University of Chicago.

Definition of Sport Clubs
Sport Clubs are registered organizations under the direction of the Office of Intramural, Recreation, and Sport Clubs, which provides a program of instruction, recreation, and/or competition in a specific sport or recreational/physical activity.

Purpose of Sport Clubs
The University recognizes that the purposes of Sport Clubs are:
To introduce students, faculty, staff, alumni and their spouses to new activities

1. To continue and enhance skills
2. To develop student leadership
3. To provide opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and their spouses to develop positive interpersonal relationships
4. To promote an appreciation for diversity

Level of Participation
The program presently sponsors two levels of Sport Clubs:

1. Athletic clubs- most athletic Sport Clubs are organized for the primary purpose of engaging in extramural competition with other clubs, colleges, and universities. Games or matches with high school clubs or teams are not appropriate.
2. Recreational clubs- the recreational clubs places their major emphasis on acquisition of skills and strategies for their sports. Some outside competition is scheduled but on a more limited basis.