Director of Campus Recreation Cam Adams hears proposals from club sports captains on why their teams should get a certain amount of funding, usually based on their spending during the season prior.
“They’re given a pot of money every year, and we have the clubs come in and present on why they should be given a certain amount of money,” Adams wrote in an email. “It’s good professional development for them. In terms of the money, it’s not an equal split. Things cost more for some clubs.”
Adams said despite overall budget cuts, club sports allocation actually saw an increase in funding this year.
“The reason was that we have added more clubs and participants in that time frame, therefore an increase was needed for continued support,” Adams wrote.
Club sports teams are preparing to present their expected costs to Adams and the athletics office in April.
Club hockey captain senior Wells Masterson said even with funding from the university, the team gets more than 95% of its budget from fundraising and member dues. Masterson estimates that the club spends $60,000 to $80,000 a year.
“Most of the funding is just completely on our shoulders, and it’s our job to do it,” Masterson said. “It’s a lot of money, but we find ways to cover it most years. But school funding would definitely be a lot more helpful.”
Club baseball’s fundraiser chair junior Justin Helberg said when they do get money from the university, it doesn’t last long.
“With how expensive hotels and equipment and baseballs are and stuff like that, it’s just we have to do a lot of our own separate fundraising to be able to pay for a season,” Helberg said.
As a fairly new club, fencing received no funding this year, according to captain and sophomore Blair Berenson.
“As for the spending aspect, that is $0. They don’t really give much funding to first year club sports to ensure that there is interest, and it can sustain,” Berenson said.
“With how expensive hotels and equipment and baseballs are and stuff like that, it’s just we have to do a lot of our own separate fundraising to be able to pay for a season,” Helberg said.
As a fairly new club, fencing received no funding this year, according to captain and sophomore Blair Berenson.
“As for the spending aspect, that is $0. They don’t really give much funding to first year club sports to ensure that there is interest, and it can sustain,” Berenson said.
Many of the clubs try to earn some money through GoFundMe campaigns or profit shares with local restaurants.
Soon, Club Baseball plans to hold a fundraiser in partnership with the Burlington Animal Services, where they will host a live stream with the dogs, and players will shave their heads every time a donation goal is met.