Yale’s club sports teams have begun hosting tryouts for freshmen and returning students.
Rachel Mack September 11, 2024 3:03 AM
Courtesy of Yale Club Running
Club sports and tryouts have just begun for the 2024-25 school year, with eager freshmen and seniors returning. The variety of sports available means multiple levels of competition for students to rejoin or try for the first time.
Yale Offers Students can participate in 38 sports across 48 club teams, ranging from mainstream sports like basketball and swimming to niche sports like martial arts and indoor climbing. Most tryouts are held during the first few weeks of September.
The competitiveness of the tryout process varies by sport.
When asked about her experience trying out for the club tennis team, Amelia Lee, 26, emphasized the high level of competition.
“I think there were 106 people who auditioned,” she told the News. “I didn’t think I would get in. I didn’t bring my tennis shoes because I knew I wouldn’t make it.”
Because the team is co-ed, tryouts are “tough” and so are practices. Now one of the team captains, Lee aims to make everyone feel welcome at practices and events, regardless of gender or tennis experience.
Some teams don’t hold tryouts at all — the women’s rugby team, for example, welcomes players of all experience levels — and many club sports teams share the same philosophy of encouraging students to get out of their comfort zones and try activities they’ve never tried before.
“The rugby girls were so enthusiastic,” said Katie Fleming (Class of ’28), a new member of the Yale women’s rugby team who was greeted by the team during Bulldog Days. “They especially took me under their wing, let me play, and kept raving about how much fun it was.”
Sports such as boys’ and girls’ soccer, running and polo offer multiple teams at different skill and competitive levels so students can compete on the team that best suits them.
The Yale Club Running Team offers a variety of pace groups for everyone from beginners to seasoned marathon runners.
“We want to promote the idea that Yale Club Running should be a welcoming place, and you don’t have to be a super fast runner to participate,” said team captain and News photo editor Chloe Edwards (Class of ’26).
The team participates in various competitions and runs in the Northeast region. 47th Annual Faxon Law New Haven Road Race Over Labor Day weekend, they met with both new and returning members.
Club sports are less competitive and provide an opportunity for students with similar interests to meet. Members aren’t required to practice multiple times each week, but they do share team meals and host team events like watch parties and social gatherings. In addition to staying healthy and finding their place on the team, athletes also make lifelong friends.
The Yale Rugby team, the oldest club sport at Yale University, was founded in 1875.