According to the Princeton Review, Boston College is regarded as one of the peppiest athletic schools in the country. While many varsity sports at BC are experiencing unprecedented success and attention, various club sports struggle to drum up support and interest outside of their own membership.
BC has had a club cycling team since the mid-'80s, though its popularity and competitiveness has fluctuated, said Andrew Armstrong, treasurer of the Cycling Club and A&S '05. Recently, the team has experienced heightened interest from students. The team currently has 124 people on its listserv, with about 30 active members and 15 to 20 active racers, an increase from the five to 10 members than the club had just a few years ago.
"It's just amazing how much the team has grown," said Bonnie Burgett, Cycling Club president and CSOM '05. "A few years ago, no one even knew we had a team."
Armstrong said the Cycling Club caters to both casual bikers and those interested in racing either street or mountain. The mountain biking season runs through September and October, and the street biking season runs through March and April.
During the season, the racing team will take trips every weekend to out-of-state races, practicing two to three times per week. The team is in the Northeast Collegiate Conference, which is made up of all of New England, as well as Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. There are two divisions, with four men's categories and two women's categories in each.
Because of the somewhat unusual nature of the Cycling Club, the team has had a different set of issues to deal with than most other club teams.
"We've been really lucky as far as facilities go, in that we don't need to use a field or anything at BC," said Armstrong. "The roads of New England are our practice space."
For the past several years, the Boston Sports Club has allowed the team to use their facilities for spinning classes. There is also the potential for bikes to be put in the new Multi-Purpose room.
Funding, which is substantial, is an issue for this club. "We travel a lot during the season, and we end up financing most of it ourselves," Burgett said. Fan support is also lacking, according to both Burgett and Armstrong.
"Our roommates and parents are usually really good about coming to races, and occasionally alumni will show up too, but we don't really have a fan base," said Armstrong.
Armstrong has high hopes for this year, which includes a team trip to nationals. "We have the strongest team we've had in several years," he said. Plans for the season also include many fundraisers and leisure rides for the non-racers in the club, as well as participating in and planning a Beanpot bike race for Boston area schools.
The BC lacrosse team is a unique case. In 2002, the team went from being a Division I varsity sport to being a club sport. Robert Goodrich, president of the Lacrosse Club and CSOM '06, who has played lacrosse for BC for the past four years, attributes this to financial complications resulting from Title IX, as well as heavy competition, and scheduling difficulties.
This did not stop the team from having what Goodrich described as "one of the best seasons ever." The team currently ranks 10th in the country for club lacrosse, with a record of 19-3 and a 2-1 finish at nationals in St. Louis last year.
Goodrich credits coach Jin Chung, a former MBA student at BC, with turning the team around. The success of the 2003-2004 lacrosse season has resulted in a heightened interest in the sport at BC. According to Goodrich, more than 100 students are expected to attend tryouts in November, for 30 to 38 spots.
"We've even had juniors in high school calling up, wanting to know about our team. The amount of interest is just awesome. It's really become a virtual varsity sport," said Goodrich. "We've worked really hard, and we're finally seeing it start to pay off."
Plans for the upcoming season include attending more national and away games, which the team is now eligible for. Additionally, fundraisers are being scheduled, and an alumni lacrosse game is in the works. Goodrich also predicted that the team will be as strong, if not stronger, than last year.
"I think we will clear up our league," said Goodrich.
Despite its apparent popularity, the team has had to deal with problems similar to those facing other club sports. Goodrich listed lack of funding and scheduling conflicts as some of the pertinent issues.
"We only recently have been allowed to practice at Alumni Stadium, and these practices are fit around all the varsity sports, so we usually don't have any set schedule," said Goodrich.
Additionally, the team's fan base is only about 100 regulars, a number which Goodrich hopes will increase this year.
Regardless of this, Goodrich remains optimistic about the team. "I think we're going to have a great season. I also think that, because of our success last year, we are in a very good position to help bring attention to other club sports, and BC in general."
Be the first to comment on this article!