14 Unleashing Athletic Passion: Dive into the World of Club Sports at UW

Ji Min Sung, Jinhee Lee, Sangmin Lee

Introduction

College students want personal satisfaction and personal growth, and they need experiences and leisure activities to foster meaningful relationships and intellectual growth. Group activities, especially sports, provide greater opportunities for students to develop personally and meet their cultural and social needs. Through active participation in clubs, students gain valuable organizational experience, enhance their academic achievement and shape their intellectual, social, and leisure culture. The collegiate ideal of team sports promotes a new perspective to maximize the impact of team sports and emphasizes strong organizational structures and community connections to support the individual athletic development of student-athletes.

Sports activities in various clubs play an important role in the lives of college students, fostering physical fitness, personality development, and social attitudes. Participation in sports develops valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance by building a sense of community within teams. We believe the University of Washington is one of the thick institutions in the US since it provides the foundation for sustainable team sports programs that provide transformational experiences for student-athletes, coaches, and the university community. Additionally, UW is the perfect place where students can share their common tasks and make connections between each other through various programs such as RSO, club sports, or even classes.

So we want you to join our vibrant community and explore sports opportunities. From thunderous excitement on the football field to tricky battles in esports, or thrilling spikes on the volleyball court, joining a team will boost your happiness and your physical well-being. Whether you are an experienced player or a beginner, our team games provide a platform for competition, cooperation, and excellence.

Exploring UW Esports team

“Collaborating with my teammates is the greatest part of this sport. Especially, I’m in the Overwatch team. Overwatch has 5 team members and we usually have 5 team roles which are Defense, Offense, Support, and Tank. We have our own position in the team and we talk during the game since communication and collaboration are an essential part of this game. We build teamwork through spending time together by eating lunch or hangout after the game practice”  – one of the team members of  the esports team

 

The UW Esports Club is a community that brings together students passionate about gaming and competitive esports. They offer a dedicated hub called the HUB Esports Arena, where students can participate in organized gaming competitions, practice, and engage in a supportive environment. UW Esports also focuses on personal growth, leadership development, and fostering a vibrant gaming community.

During the interview, I noticed the Esports team has three different types of games which are Overwatch, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Valorant. The teams go for the collegiate esports league during each specific game season. And I learned how important collaborating and communicating with a team or building teamwork is.

This is the video of one of the Overwatch Tournament videos on the Esports team’s youtube. UW Esports Club regularly posts its game play video to encourage team members and make the connection between the club and students.           Video credit: UW Esports club Licensed: CC-BY-NC-ND

I am surprised by how they are passionate about their game. Anyone can join an esports team regardless of their gender, age, size, or how professional in this game. Also, they went to competitions with esports teams from other colleges and were placed on a round of 16 in overwatch tournaments with all states of UW.

Exploring UW Soccer Team KORS

KORS, the Korean Soccer Team Club, is one of the UW Club sports. Last month, KORS joined the UW Intramural soccer league. They meet every weekend at the IMA Fields to practice and film their practice to overcome their problems or mistakes, discussing how they improve their teamwork. During the interview, I was able to feel that its club members gain advantages from this sports club: communicating with people who have similar interests or hobbies and maintaining their health by playing soccer and practicing. Even though this club consists of Korea, anyone can join and play soccer when they have a practice game every weekend.

Exploring UW Men’s Volleyball Team

“An advantage of playing club volleyball is getting instruction from real coaches multiple times a week, allowing for much quicker improvement. Another advantage is tournaments, which are places to put into practice what you’ve learned. A disadvantage is the time commitment; club volleyball takes upwards of 6 hours a week which you need to balance.” – The A team volleyball player

The University of Washington Men’s Volleyball Club offers three teams: A(Purple), B(Gold), and C(Black). The A team competes at the regional and national levels. The B team provides skill development in a supportive and competitive environment, while the C team offers a recreational experience focused on enjoyment and community. During my interview with a volleyball player from the A team, his passion for the sport was evident. One of the advantages he highlighted is the opportunity to receive regular coaching from experienced coaches, leading to quicker improvement. He also mentioned that playing club volleyball is a great way to meet new people and connect with them.

The volleyball player mentioned that their team usually practices at the IMA building, which provides all the necessary equipment and dedicated spaces for individual and team skill development across various club sports.

Overall, joining a club sports team at UW allows students to compete, cooperate, and strive for excellence while enjoying the physical and mental benefits of sports. These experiences contribute to personal satisfaction, intellectual growth, and the formation of meaningful relationships. Whether in esports, soccer, or volleyball, the UW club sports community offers a platform for students to pursue their passion and achieve their full athletic potential.

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Chapter License

• CC BY-NC-SA (Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike)

References

1. UW E-sports Club. (n.d.). UW E-sports Club Official Instagram. UW E-sports Club. https://www.instagram.com/uofwaesports/?hl=en

2. UW KORS. (n.d.). UW KORS Official Instagram. UW KORS. https://www.instagram.com/uw_kors/

3. UW Men’s Volleyball Club. (n.d.). UW Men’s Volleyball Club Official Instagram. UW Men’s Volleyball Club. https://students.washington.edu/mensvb/

4. YouTube. (2023, February 6). UW-a vs. uo-a semifinals: Set 2. UW Men’s Volleyball Club Game Play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46EiInzFPNk 

5. YouTube. (2023b, March 7). Overwatch 2 || Blizzard Collegiate tournament || UW vs Ohio Esports. UW E-Sports Club Game Play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nQGC1sKTl0 

6. Norman, J. (2016, January 13). Photos: Upcoming Ima activities. The Whole U. https://thewholeu.uw.edu/2016/01/13/photos-upcoming-ima-activities/