Maintaining Active Membership

To continue sponsorship with Recreational Sports the following general requirements must be met:

1. The club meet the requirements of the Administrative Compliance Program. 

2. Student interest in the club is demonstrated by a membership of either (1) an average of ten active members, or (2) the minimum number of members (over 10) needed to participate in the activity - whichever is greater.

3. The club's purpose and activity continues to be consistent with RecSports' purpose and philosophy.

4. University and RecSports' guidelines as outlined in this handbook and Student Organizations policies are followed.

5. Suitable facilities continue to be available for the club to meet and practice.

6. The Sport Club Office continues to have the necessary resources to supervise the club and its activities.

Conditional

"Conditional" clubs are newly recognized within the Sport Club Association, having achieved recognition at the end of May through the Prospective Organization Application Process. These clubs are required to join the active clubs in the requirements set forth in the Administrative Compliance Program. They do not have access to allocated funding through Recreational Sports. Conditional clubs have access to Recreational Sports facility spaces for practices and meetings (if applicable).

If the club does not meet the above requirements and advance out of conditional status by the end of the academic year, the club will not be recognized through Recreational Sports as an “Active” member of the Sport Club Association. Reapplication after two academic years may be possible if applications are available.

Probationary

A club may be placed on "probationary" status due to committing a high-risk infraction, multiple infractions, or an offense not stated in the Sport Club Association Handbook. The club will be at risk for suspension if another infraction occurs. The club may be given other disciplinary action by Recreational Sports and/or the Sport Club Association Council. For more information, review the disciplinary page. 

Sponsorship Considerations

Recreational Sports recognizes that sport-related student organizations may wish to seek sponsorship.

Primary Purposes

• Promote student participation in a variety of sport activities

• Offer students the opportunity to engage in a sport at various skill levels

• Provide opportunities for the development of student leadership

• Support the University’s core purpose of transforming lives for the benefit of society

Goals

• Enhance the student’s college experience through participation in a sport club

• Contribute to the student’s education outside of the classroom

• Facilitate sports for students according to interest and desired level of involvement

• Foster a sense of community

• Represent the University in an appropriate and positive manner

As one of the six program areas within Recreational Sports, the Sport Club Association is not designed to support the majority of UT registered student organizations. Achieving Sport Club status entails a high level of commitment from both Recreational Sports and the student organization. In addition to meeting a number of specific and judgment related criteria, a high confidence of future and sustained success must be predicted. 

Current member clubs of the Sport Club Association are also recognized by the University as officially sponsored student organizations. An “officially sponsored” group is a student organization whose purpose and activities are in accord with the mission of an academic or administrative unit, for whose actions and activities the sponsoring unit provides endorsement, support, supervision, and assumption of responsibility. Acceptance into the Sport Club Association is never guaranteed to any interested student organization.

Considerations for Organizations Interested in Obtaining Sport Club Association Membership

Primary Considerations

• The sport is judged to be appropriate and consistent with the Department's purpose and philosophy

• The sport is judged to be an appropriate fit for the Sport Club Association

• The Sport Club staff has the appropriate personnel and resources available to meet the University’s requirements for sponsored student organizations

• The sport is not currently offered in the Sport Club Association or offered elsewhere on campus

• The sport should not be judged to pose an undue risk to the health and safety of its athletes or participants

• The organization is currently in good standing with the Office of the Dean of Students - Student Organizations Office without any violations for at least the two previous academic years and has demonstrated leadership transition beyond founding members

• The club has demonstrated itself to be financially self-reliant which includes an appropriate dues structure for its current activity level and must continue operating in such a capacity during a one-year conditional period before any request for Sport Club Association funding will be considered

Secondary Considerations

• An appropriate number of current club members for the sport

• Active membership in the associated national governing body

• The sport should include an element of competition

• Active competition in a state/regional collegiate league/conference by competing in at least five collegiate division competitions per year

• Suitable facilities are judged to be available where the club can meet, practice and hold competitions

• Already possess sufficient equipment to participate in the sport

• The sport should not primarily rely on any element of “luck”

• Interest in additional martial arts and combat sports will be considered with the greatest care due to the complex nature and relatively minor differences between their activities

• Sports with limited physical or athletic activity will not be considered at this time

• Sports that incorporate the use of live animals will not be considered at this time

Prospective Organization Application Process

• If you believe your organization meets the above considerations, please review the following timeline:

  • Inquiries will be heard each academic year during the spring semester only when applications are available*

  • Complete this Sport Club Association Prospective Organization Information Form by February 15

• Organization leaders will be contacted by Sport Club staff with notification if they will move forward in the process

  • If the Sport Club staff feels as if an organization is not ready for sponsorship based on the application, the organization will be notified the application has been closed.

  • If the Sport Club staff feels as if the application proves the organization has the potential for sponsorship, the application will be passed to the Sport Club Association Council.

  • The Sport Club Association Council will review applications and request presentations from all prospective organizations.

• If your organization is considered for membership, the overall process may take as long as a full semester

*Recreational Sports is not accepting applications to the Sport Club Association until the office determines it has appropriate resources to support additional sponsored student organizations.