Spring Break
Club football's inaugural season begins Sunday vs. Xavier
Nick Bonaventura
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Sports
After forming last April, the Miami University club football team is ready to begin its inaugural season when the RedHawks take on Xavier University 1 p.m. Sunday.
The idea for a club football team at Miami stemmed primarily from the president of the team, senior Andy Bahr.
Club football plays full contact football with the same rules as the varsity football team; the only main difference being that the club team does not compete with other NCAA Division-I football teams.
The team plays in full pads and designed their own uniforms. The team's jerseys design will be very similar to the varsity football jerseys, but will be black and white instead of red and white to show the difference between the two squads. They also have designed their own playbook that fits the identity of the team, according to Bahr.
A club football team is uncommon amongst American universities, as most colleges do not offer an alternative method to play football in college other than at the varsity level. Typically the schools don't have enough funding or cannot find someone who is ready to put in the effort and time to start the team, Bahr added.
Miami's club team is one of only two teams in the state of Ohio. The other team resides at Xavier-Miami's first opponent.
Club football is set up in part to be a team for students who were unable to make the varsity team.
The majority of the players were involved in football at their respective high schools.
Officer and offensive tackle/defensive end Nick Powell is among this majority.
"I've been playing football for about seven years now," Powell said. "I planned on trying out for the varsity team, but I'm a pre-med major and I found out about the club football, so I figured I would go with that."
The club football team is also something for those students who enjoy playing football, but do not want the pressures that can come with playing football at a Division-I program.
"This football should be a lot more fun," Powell said. "There's not nearly as much pressure."
The idea for a club football team at Miami stemmed primarily from the president of the team, senior Andy Bahr.
Club football plays full contact football with the same rules as the varsity football team; the only main difference being that the club team does not compete with other NCAA Division-I football teams.
The team plays in full pads and designed their own uniforms. The team's jerseys design will be very similar to the varsity football jerseys, but will be black and white instead of red and white to show the difference between the two squads. They also have designed their own playbook that fits the identity of the team, according to Bahr.
A club football team is uncommon amongst American universities, as most colleges do not offer an alternative method to play football in college other than at the varsity level. Typically the schools don't have enough funding or cannot find someone who is ready to put in the effort and time to start the team, Bahr added.
Miami's club team is one of only two teams in the state of Ohio. The other team resides at Xavier-Miami's first opponent.
Club football is set up in part to be a team for students who were unable to make the varsity team.
The majority of the players were involved in football at their respective high schools.
Officer and offensive tackle/defensive end Nick Powell is among this majority.
"I've been playing football for about seven years now," Powell said. "I planned on trying out for the varsity team, but I'm a pre-med major and I found out about the club football, so I figured I would go with that."
The club football team is also something for those students who enjoy playing football, but do not want the pressures that can come with playing football at a Division-I program.
"This football should be a lot more fun," Powell said. "There's not nearly as much pressure."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Bruce Weingart
posted 9/29/07 @ 11:34 AM EST
How do we find out the club football schedule? In particular I would like to know when they are playing at SIU-E as I would like to attend. Thanks.
vincent nann
posted 7/25/08 @ 2:38 PM EST
we would love to schedule a home and home game with you all. Call me (817)726-1882
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