As the westernmost institution in the UNC system, Western Carolina University provides
educational opportunities to residents of the state’s western region and attracts
students from around the globe to explore the area’s vast resources.
At Western Carolina University, we view our admissions process as our opportunity
to build the community that defines our institution. We look for people eager to explore
and ready to redefine success.
Programs and courses at Western Carolina are designed to provide hands-on, applied
experience. Students engage with communities across the region as they practice their
profession in real-world environments.
Western Carolina’s unique mountain location helps fuel a vibrant campus community
with more than 170 student clubs and organizations as well as a busy performing arts
calendar and the campus’s own adventure guide service.
Western Carolina is home to 16 Southern Conference athletic teams with more than 375
student athlete competitors. WCU strives to inspire student-athletes to compete like
champions on the field and in the classroom.
Western Carolina was founded to serve the region it calls home, and that has not changed.
WCU continues to focus on regional development initiatives, engaged service and community
programs. It also partners with alumni and donors to ensure access to higher education
for deserving students in the region and beyond.
Club sports will remain fully operational student organizations. However, due to COVID-19
guidelines, may travel to or attend in-person competitions, until restrictions are
lifted.
A club sport is a student organization that is formed and led by WCU students who
have a love and passion for their sport or activity, and may be looking for an opportunity
to participate on a longer term (usually both semesters). A club sport may contain
recreational, instructional, and socialization components, but must be competitive
in nature. All clubs are a part of national governing bodies/leagues and compete against
other universities across the state and region.
We currently have 21 active club sports varying from Ballroom Dance to Men's and Women's
Rugby with over 500 club sport athletes. Don't see your sport listed? Ask about starting
a club sport!
Participation in our club sports program is a valuable part of student development
and can greatly enhance a student's college experience. We encourage all levels of
skill and support equal opportunity to any student regardless their race, color, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability,
genetic information, or veteran status.
Ballroom Dance - Dara Sanderson (Club Email: ballroomdancewcu@gmail.com) Bass Fishing - Austin Cole Cheer - Alexa Benaquista Climbing - Mason Shaw Cycling - Dylan DiSarro Equestrian - Madison Kitchen Men's Baseball - John Moore Men's Basketball - Franklin Keel Men's Flag Football - Alexei Strouse Men's Rugby - Seth Kerr Men's Soccer - Brandon Gross Men's Volleyball - Tommy Criss Tennis - Dylan Draper Ultimate Frisbee - Julia Riddle Women's Basketball - Kiyarra Collins & Alexa Taylor Women's Lacrosse - Carleigh Sigel Women's Rugby - Brooklynn Herold Women's Soccer - Jackie Gigliotti Women's Volleyball - Kylee Niemantsverdriet Wrestling - James Haworth
All club sport participants are required to have an IMLeagues account before they
participate. Participants will be required to enter their WCU username and password
before being logged into IMLeagues. After the first time logging in, you will log-in
with your WCU credentials every time.
Go to imleagues.com and log in using your WCU credentials.
If you don't have an account, click Create Account.
Enter your information. You must use your WCU email account and submit. Students (@catamount.wcu.edu);
Faculty/Staff (@wcu.edu or @email.wcu.edu)
Click the activation link in your email to login and activate your WCU IMLeagues account.
Click on Club Sports and the current club sports will be displayed.
You can join a club sport one of two ways:
Officers can invite members to their club sport by clicking the "Invite Members" link
on the team page. Any invited members may accept the invitation to be joined to your
team.If they've already registered on IMLeagues: search for their name, and invite them.
If they haven't yet registered on IMLeagues: scroll down to the "Invite by Email Address"
box, and input their email address.
To join a team, accept a request from the captain to join the club or click on the
club sport you wish to join and then click on the green Register/Signup button.
All participants must fill out the Assumption of Risk/Release, Emergency Contact Information,
and Club Sport Code of Conduct before participating with a club sport.
IMLeagues offers alive support buttonin the bottom right corner of all page. Please use this button if you encounter any
difficulties.
Being a Club Sport Athlete at WCU has many benefits, all of which will help you improve
your college experience.
Build lifelong friendships - Meet other students who are interested in the same activities as you.
Represent your school - Get a chance to wear WCU jerseys and uniforms to represent us at other college
campuses.
Stay competitive - Compete in the sport for which you've been training and playing for years.
Try something new - Participate in a new sport or activity that you've been interested in, but haven't
had the chance to join before attending WCU.
De-stress and relax - Take a break from your daily grind to do something fun and active. Clear your mind
of stressors during practices and competitions, so you can recharge.
The Club Sport Program reviews new club sport requests to determine if there is sufficient
student interest and resources to support the activity. Students who wish to create
a club must decide whether they wish to be competitive in nature.
If you wish to start a competitive club sport, you will need to speak with Associate
Director for Intramural and Club Sports. Factors to take into consideration when forming
a new club sport:
Gaining student interest,
Club leadership (President, Vice President, Treasurer),
Start-up costs,
Practice locations,
Competition opponents,
Governing bodies,
Equipment.
Students looking to start a new club sport need to complete and submit the following
documents to the Associate Director for Intramural and Club Sports:
New Club Sport Application
New Club Petition Form (minimum signatures of 150% of a sport's starting lineup, or
15 signatures for non-lineup specific sports)
Club Constitution & Bylaws (see WCU Orgysnc club pages for constitution examples)
Projected Budget Form
Supplemental Questions Form
Register as a Recognized Student Organization on WCU Engage
Club Sports depend on the generosity of family, friends, faculty/staff, businesses,
and alumni. Your financial support assists clubs with annual operating costs such
as coaching services, registration fees, equipment, travel, uniforms and apparel.
Donors have the option to donate directly to a specific club. Here are a few ways
one can support our program and club sport teams.
Ways to Help
Make check payable to WCU Campus Recreation and Wellness, write the specific club
sport name on the check (ex. Women's Club Volleyball), and mail to WCU Campus Recreation
and Wellness, 379 Memorial Drive, Cullowhee, NC 28723, or give it directly to a club
officer.
Donate “gifts-in-kind” in the form of essential equipment, materials, or other items.
If you are interested in donating equipment or other materials, please contact the Associate Director for Intramural and Club Sports.
Note: Monetary donations to a club sport are not tax deductible donations. "Gift-in-kind"
donations may be considered tax deductible.
