Sports are a cherished event. As fans, you cheer your heart out, supporting your team and its players between good and bad. As an athlete, you create lifelong friendships and memories while putting your blood, sweat, and tears into helping your team win. At one point in your life, you were also probably considered an athlete.
Roughly eight million kids participate in high school sports across the United States, yet that number drops drastically in college athletics. In 2024, approximately five hundred thousand current student-athletes are participating in sports across all three NCAA divisions, less than one percent of the high school population. For those who want to continue their athletic careers, yet don’t have the opportunity to play varsity sports SUNY Cortland offers an alternative.
Varsity sports are demanding and a sacrifice the average person is not up for. Intramurals are a great opportunity to bond with friends and compete for bragging rights against competition in your school, but they may lack the competitiveness some seek. Club sports are a balance of competitiveness and time management. Similar to your ordinary sports team, club teams meet multiple times a week to practice and then participate in competitions on the weekend during their respective season. Cortland offers over thirty club teams for students to get involved with. Most teams are solely student-run, allowing members to work on skills like fundraising, community service, organization, and administration while advancing their athletic skills.
A few clubs have been in action as they look toward the beginning of their seasons. On September 21st, SUNY Cortland’s Men’s club basketball team took on Cornell’s Men’s club basketball at Cornell University. The teams played a total of two games, although both were scrimmages. In game one, Cornell hopped out to an early 12-2 lead after hitting two three-pointers and getting some easy points inside the paint as well. A quick timeout settled the nerves of Cortland as they responded well and continued to keep the game close. Center Luke Kochan carried the scoring total in the first half, with Cortland only down six points at the half.
In the second half, the Red Dragons picked up their play as a collective. In a better team effort, forward Richard Gannon emerged with fourteen points and knocked down multiple three-pointers. In a great effort, unfortunately, Cortland came up short, losing game one 89-81. In game two, Cortland came out focused and firing on all cylinders. The ball moved efficiently, and players knocked down outside shots at a high rate. The Red Dragons would hold on to a late lead and win the second game 72-67.
On September 22nd, the SUNY Cortland Women’s Rugby team took on Suny Oswego right here on campus, next to the stadium complex. The Peace Frogs dominated all day as they started the game by scoring a try within the first minute of play. Junior, Nicole Perez gave her team a seven-point lead, and Cortland never looked back. Suny Cortland won the game 45-15. Their next game is on September 29th here at Cortland against Clarkson University.
You can follow both the men’s club basketball and the women’s club rugby team on Instagram @cortlandclubbasketball and @cortlandwomensrugby. On their pages, you can find their schedules and information on upcoming fundraising activities they will hold. These events allow supporters to donate and help students with the cost of their season. Whether it is a donation or showing up to games and cheering, all forms of support are appreciated.