Forming a New Sport Clubs | Sport Club Membership | Membership Rosters

Forming a New Sport Club

A sport club at the UMCP may serve several purposes. The intent of some clubs may be to sponsor teams which compete intercollegiately or within area sport associations.

Sport clubs must have a history of at least one year of successful operation to become eligible to receive funding Campus Recreation Services.  However, in their first year, clubs may apply to the Sport Club Program and be eligible for all other benefits, if accepted.  After one year of this probationary status, clubs will be eligible to request funding.

In order to become part of the Sport Club Program, the following information must be submitted to the Assistant Director-Sport Clubs:

·         Confirmation from the OCP that the Club is a registered student organization for the current academic year.

·         Confirmation from the SGA that the Club is recognized and eligible for funding (as necessary).
 Completed CRS Recognition Request Form.

·         Completed CRS Club Membership Roster Form (at least 15 current members).

·         A letter detailing reasons for why the Club wishes to be admitted to the Sport Club Program and indicating a willingness to abide by Sport Club Program regulations, if accepted.  This letter must be accompanied by details of club activities during the past year (if applicable).

·         Copies of two current members’ American Red Cross Community First Aid and Safety certification cards.

·         A copy of the Club's proposed operating budget for the year.

·         A copy of the Club's current constitution and by-laws which should include detailed information on the Club's sanctioning organization and other rules, regulations and requirements that may apply to the Club.

·         A complete listing of all equipment owned by the Club or by individuals and used by the Club.

·         Safety equipment and specialized training that would be required for the organization’s activities.

·         Information on time and duration of season, practices and or meeting/practice space required for the operation of the Club.

·         Information on national governing bodies related to the activities of the organization.

Criteria for Consideration

The Assistant Director-Sport Clubs, after consultation with the Club’s representative(s) and the CRS Director, will decide on the request and inform the Club president in writing of the decision.  Acceptance of a club into the Sport Club Program will be based upon the following criteria:

·         The availability of facilities and required equipment, and the impact of the proposed activity on the usage patterns of existing facilities and equipment for intercollegiate, recreational, intramural, or physical education purposes.

·         The availability of the Club's financial resources and potential of generated revenue to adequately fund the proposed activity.  NOTE: Sport Clubs must have a history of at least one year of successful operation under CRS guidelines to become eligible to receive funding from CRS.   After one year of this provisional status, clubs will be eligible to request funding.

·         The degree of student participation, leadership and interest in the proposed activity.

·         For competitive clubs, the availability of adequate competition within the mid-Atlantic region (radius of 300 miles from the University of Maryland).

·         Length of time the organization has been active on campus.

·         How the organization will contribute to CRS’ mission.

If your organization is accepted into the Sport Club Program, it will be granted a provisional status and notified in writing.   Provisional clubs may enjoy all the benefits of the Sport Club Program, but must wait one year to be eligible for funding.  After one year of successful provisional status, the Club will be granted full status.

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Sport Club Membership

All officially enrolled students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty and staff of the University of Maryland, and, in some cases, members of the University of Maryland Alumni Association are eligible to join a sport Club as a regular member.  Intercollegiate athletes may compete for a sport Club in the same academic year that they are listed as varsity players.  However, the sport Club in which they choose to participate should not be involved in an activity similar to their varsity participation.  The intercollegiate athlete must sit out one school year until he/she is eligible to join a club which is considered a sport similar to their varsity team.

Membership and participation within a club must be free from discrimination based on race, religion, gender, ethnic group, national origin, political affiliation, ability, sexual orientation, or on the basis of the exercise of rights secured by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Each club’s constitution must carry a statement to this effect.

A sport Club may not restrict the number of members allowed to join its ranks: however; it is recognized that only a certain number can realistically participate in competition.  It is the responsibility of each sport Club to work out a fair and equitable method by which to accommodate all of its members' needs for coaching and ambitions for competition.

CRS requires all club members to carry the proper identification at all scheduled activities.  Students, Faculty, and Staff must have a University of Maryland ID.  Coaches, instructors, and members of the Alumni Association must have a picture ID with them during all scheduled activities.  NOTE: Faculty, Staff, and Alumni Association members must have a CRS Membership to enter Ritchie Coliseum or the Campus Recreation Center.  Similarly, ALL summer club participants must be enrolled in summer classes or have a CRS membership.

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Membership Roster

A membership roster must be submitted online to the Assistant Director-Sport Clubs at the beginning of the each semester.  It is the responsibility of the Club officers to see that this is done.  Rosters must contain each member’s name, University or Alumni Association ID number, phone number, address, e-mail address, and emergency contact information. Officers MUST update the roster whenever there are any additions or deletions.  Only individuals listed on the membership roster and having submitted a signed Sport Club Release and Informed Consent Form to the Assistant Director-Sport Clubs are eligible to participate in club activities.

The Assistant Director-Sport Clubs, will process the names for eligibility.  In addition, Sport Clubs should pay attention to the rules of their sanctioning organizations as to the eligibility of graduate students, alumni, and faculty/staff members on competing teams.  Clubs may be subjected to program sanctions for allowing ineligible individuals and those not listed on the roster to participate.  Sanctions may include probation or suspension of individual club members or the entire club.