Not a Division I athlete? Join a club

Who says you have to be on a Division I team to be a competitive athlete?

No one.

Pitt… Who says you have to be on a Division I team to be a competitive athlete?

No one.

Pitt offers a variety of club sports for dedicated athletes who don’t want the pressures or demanding commitments required of students in big-time university athletics.

Men’s rugby captain Andrew Mlynarski said that is what got him going.

“Playing a club sport is a great way for former high school athletes to stay active without the pressures of a Division I schedule,” said Mlynarski.

The Pitt club teams travel around the nation to compete with other teams at other schools.

For some, the competition against bitter rivals is the best thing to do.

Former Pitt defenseman and current Pitt ice hockey coach Toki Barron said there are many reasons to join the clubs.

“One of the biggest benefits of playing in a club is that you get to represent Pitt against other teams at rival schools like Penn State and West Virginia,” he said.

Club sport teams have competitive edges, flexible schedules, and for some, no experience is necessary. The key to becoming part of a team is to know your options.

Pitt club sports include, but are not limited to, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, ice hockey, field hockey, rugby, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball and baseball.

The men’s and women’s lacrosse teams are loaded with competitive players.

Women’s lacrosse captain Margo Goldberg is one of them.

“We’re very competitive, and we look for people who love the sport,” she said.

The women’s lacrosse team has been to nationals three of the past four years. This past year they won regionals, and they often place in the top 10.

The men’s lacrosse team is also a top-ranked team.

Men’s and women’s soccer make up two other competitive squads.

The men’s soccer team travels the northeast region and has qualified for the regional conference the past three years. Both the men’s and women’s teams look for experienced players who like to stay active and practice hard.

On the ice, the men’s hockey team ranked No. 24 in the nation out of more than 150 teams in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. The team’s accomplishments are a combination of on- and off-the-ice preparations.

Anyone interested in sports management, athletic training or playing is welcome to take part in any of the many divisions of the team.

The Pitt field hockey team hangs on the list as well. Like many of the club teams, the field hockey team practices at the Cost Center, which is just north of the Petersen Events Center.

As competitive as any sport, field hockey provides a great opportunity for students at Pitt. Since the University doesn’t sponsor a varsity team, the club hockey team is all Pitt has.

Other intense field action includes the men’s and women’s rugby teams. Women’s rugby player Maura Harty said that no experience is required to play on these teams, but a competitive edge is necessary.

“We look for anyone who is athletic and likes tackling people,” said Harty.

The women’s team placed second overall in the city league last season, and the men’s team won two tournaments in 2008. The men’s team travels the Midwest region and is open to anyone looking to join a physical contact sport.

And speaking of physical sports, Pitt’s ultimate teams land toward the top of that list. The men’s and women’s teams look for natural athletes who are dedicated and willing to put in time and effort.

“Most people have never played before, but the sport relies on a lot of athleticism and commitment,” said women’s ultimate player Lucy Gillespie.

The women’s ultimate team travels all over to compete, and this year they finished third in the regional college series. The men’s ultimate team is one of the hardest working teams in the region, and they placed ninth in the nation last year.

Last, but certainly not least, the baseball team is also competitive and in search of dedicated athletes.

If you’re an athlete looking to get involved, just join a club.