Joining sports clubs helps students gain experience, increase involvement

Kristen King // Staff Writer

Entering college can seem like a scary experience because students have the idea that the sole focus should be on classes and grades. We all want to graduate and find good jobs in the future.

But that doesn’t have to be all that we think about. Nowadays, a lot of jobs are looking for people to show how involved they can be within their campus.

One way to show involvement and the ability to work with others is by joining a sports club.

By joining a sports club, students can finally balance their studies with something they enjoy doing. Students can take off all of the pressure of grades and classes and introduce some sort of entertainment in their daily lives.

John Marrero, president of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club, fully believes in this idea of class and club balance.

“Sports clubs offer a great balance to a collegiate student’s life,” said Marrero. “While your academics should be a priority, most of your time on a college campus is outside of the classroom. It’s what you do with that time that truly develops you.”

This development offers more than an outlet to be involved on campus; it also allows students to be a part of the FIU community.

From my own experience, I was the freshmen who wanted to come to school to study, do my work and go home. I never wanted to spend more time than was necessary at school because I didn’t feel I needed to.

It wasn’t until my junior year at FIU that my prerogative changed, and I decided to join various clubs.

From this moment, I no longer felt like a fish in a big pond. I was making waves of my own around campus, and it’s due to my involvement.

“It’s important to join a club on campus, not only because you get to meet and befriend people with the same interests as you but also because it makes you feel a part of the FIU community,” said FIU sophomore Jamie Adelson. “In order to have a great college experience, you should join a club or sport to feel a part of the community, gain school spirit and make lasting memories.”

For some, joining a club isn’t only about being involved. In some cases, joining these clubs means adding a new aspect to their life, which can lead to future growth both physically and mentally.

President and captain of the powerlifting club, Roman Fronzaglia, spoke on the idea of creating a new way of life with powerlifting. 

“Powerlifting is a lifestyle; a way of being. It is not for the weak of mind, heart or soul. When someone joins our team, they’re a completely different person with an entirely new lifestyle based on the severely addictive micro culture within the powerlifting world,” Fronzaglia said. “It’s not just a club sport you look back on after college; it’s a completely new life based on the pursuit of strength.”

Joining a sports club can do more than some would expect. Students can learn a ton about themselves and others, making their college experience that much more grand. 

FIU has encouraged students to join these clubs and even provided financial support for students to do what they love on campus.

“FIU’s constant support of allowing us to practice on campus provides a convenient location for students,” Marrero said. “Their responsiveness to feedback also allows for us to provide a better experience to students as the semesters go on.”

For more information, visit studentaffairs.fiu.edu to find all sports clubs listed in the directory.

Kristen’s Korner is a column focusing on issues that affect students interested in sports. For questions, commentary or suggestions, email Kristen at Kristen.king@fiusm.com.