Viking_Yearbook_91

••••••••••••• C lub sports caters to a wide variety of students- from billiards players to weightlifters. "They [club sports] provide a tremendous asset," said Ray Tuleya, fall club sports coordi– nator. "I believe that they are one of the best student groups. AB others have told me, some– times the clubs are much more cost efficient than any of the varsity sports. A couple of peo– ple have suggested that they would not like to be a varsity sport, they would rather be a club sport because they can get more things done." Perhaps the greatest benefit of the club sports program is its availability to all students. "The clubs open themselves up to every– body, not just the top five participants, so that it's not just an elitist club. That doesn't really serve the students' needs," said Tuleya. Club sports spends a lot more money than they receive from student fees. Some of the clubs raise most of their own money The spending of the money is mainly divided into three parts: tournament/league fees, travel, and equipment. Taking the position of coordinator was a dif– ficult decision forTuleya. "There was a lot of hesitancy," he said. "This job involves a lot of work. The biggest problem clubs have is a lack of leadership. All of a sudden there's nobody who wants to run them. They require a lot of coordination. Most club presidents will tell you that it's a lot of hassle to run a club. That's why this job is even more hassle." Darin Walding, fall club sports co-coordina– tor, said he believes there are two ways to run the club sports program. "You can do a lot or you can do nothing and get away with both. The attitude that Ray has to get a lot of stuff done, is a big change for this office," he said. Walding is also the president of the Billiards Club. "l didn't like that my club didn't get any attention from the office, any help, any assis– tance," he said referring to past years. "[ want to keep a close relationship with all the clubs like Ray and I have established. Between the both of us, we've been to almost every single club's events." • • • Michelle Keeseker Darin Walding, the coordinator of Club Sports poses in his office. L ast year the sailing club went to nation– als and this year the club promises no less. "We have some phenominal talent on the team this year," said Margot Truini, presi– dent of the sailing club. Truini has been trying to get students inter– ested in sailing even before they become PSU students. The club is "definately growing. We're building up a good fleet. We're trying to recruit interested high school students to get them to college level," said Truini. Beginners are also en– couraged to join the group. For Truini, being a member of the sailing club has meant more to her than just the enjoyment of the sport. It's an "incredible growing experi– ence. [You] work with others, share responsibili– ty, use group effort to get things done, and follow through on ideas, not just talk about them. It's been an invaluable experience. You learn a lot by joining a club sport, seeing it through, and mak– ing it work," concluded Truini. • • • Michelle Keeseker Student Activiities/Ciub Sports • •