STUDENT: Hi. I’m here because, uh, I want to start
a new sports team at the school.
SPORTS DIRECTOR: Hmmm, OK. You’ve come to the right place,
I guess. What kinds of team are you interested in starting?
STUDENT: Well, ever since I was very little, I’ve
loved bowling. And, you know, we have a bowling alley in the student activity
center…but, oddly enough, we don’t have a bowling team or a bowling club or
anything like that.
DIRECTOR: I’ve never thought about it, but now that
you mention it, you’re right. You do realize that the university offers a
couple of bowling leagues for students, however, right? I think they’re on
Tuesday and Sunday nights, if I recall correctly.
STUDENT: Yeah, you’re right. I actually bowl on
the league that takes place Sunday nights…I have a late class on Tuesday that
prevents me from making the other league…but, you know, it’s a social league.
It’s not meant to be competitive.
DIRECTOR: And you’re looking for something more…
STUDENT: I mean, I love to have fun – who doesn’t?
– but there’s a football team for students who want to compete against other
universities. There are athletics teams, swimming teams, basketball teams,
rugby teams…there’s even a billiards team, I’ve heard.
DIRECTOR: So you’re looking to start a team to
represent McMasters University then?
STUDENT: Yeah.
DIRECTOR: OK. Well, let me ask, do other schools
have teams or is this something you’re going to have to convince other
universities to get on board with?
STUDENT: No, lots of other unis have teams. I’ve
done some research on this, and there are around twenty-five university teams
in the country. Most of them are at larger universities, but I think we could
totally support our own team here if we got word out about it. I’ve spoken to a
few of the good bowlers in the league here on campus, and there’s quite a bit
of interest.
DIRECTOR: I may be able to help you out.
First off, are you familiar with the difference between varsity sports and club
sports teams here?
STUDENT: I’ve heard the terms, but, uh, not
really.
DIRECTOR: So varsity sports programs are fully
funded by the university. Players don’t have to pay for travel, sports
equipment, or anything else. All of our major sports teams are varsity sports.
Then there are club sports – you mentioned the billiards team, which is a club
sport. Club sports teams pay their own way. That means travel costs, equipment
costs, tournament fees…everything…it comes out of your own pocket.
STUDENT: I imagine that becoming a varsity sport
isn’t an option, which is fine. I’m pretty sure interested students won’t mind
paying. We can just take the train to other schools, and renting bowling lanes
isn’t that expensive…
DIRECTOR: OK then. Well, to become a club sport,
the team will first need to become an officially recognized club on campus.
You’ll need organizational officers, like a president, secretary, and
treasurer, and you’ll also need a written set of bylaws for your group. Plus,
you’ll need to put together a list of at least fifty students…like a petition.
STUDENT: But the team would only be five or six
players, not fifty!
DIRECTOR: Sure. But people who aren’t going to be
on the team can still sign the petition. It’s just to show that there’s a large
enough interest among the student body to make the team happen.
STUDENT: I see. Well, I don’t think that would be
a problem. I can probably get all that in place by next semester.
DIRECTOR: And you said other schools have teams already…when
do they compete?
STUDENT: In the winter. The university bowling
season runs from around November to March.
DIRECTOR: Hmmm…well, at the latest, I’d recommend
getting all of your documentation turned in by the first week of fall semester.
That way my office will have time to review it, grant your group club status…
STUDENT: And we’ll need time to practice…and
hopefully find a coach.
DIRECTOR: Plus you’ll need to contact the
organizers…the people who organize the competitions between the university
teams.
STUDENT: Right, although I’m not really
sure how to go about that.
DIRECTOR: How about this? I can call around to my
counterparts at other universities and find out who the point person is and get
in touch with them. Since I represent the university…how can I put this? I feel
like they’ll take me more seriously, since I’d be asking them in an official
capacity.
STUDENT: I completely understand. That’d be great
if you could help us out!
DIRECTOR: OK then. Let me do some asking around,
and I’ll be in touch about what I’ve found.
STUDENT: Sounds good. Thanks again!
DIRECTOR: No problem. Have a
good day!