As the varsity sports teams draw considerable attention at the University of Lynchburg, club sports on campus are quietly playing a vital role in creating community and providing healthy competition for student-athletes.
Mateo Cottet, a statistics and data science major and a member of the Lynchburg Club Soccer team, unexpectedly became connected with the team.
“I’ve always wanted to play soccer here, so I came to earn a spot on the varsity team…I had a problem with some blood tests that never arrived, so I am playing on the club team instead,” said Cottet.
Despite this frustrating setback, Cottet has come to enjoy how much the club soccer team has become a meaningful part of his day-to-day life.
“It is very exciting because you know when the weekend comes, you have something very important to do – win the match. It’s very motivational in all aspects of campus life,” he said.
For other club athletes, the experience has been a part of their time on campus from the beginning. Mary Logan Hill, a senior business administration major with minors in marketing and studio art, has been a part of the Club Volleyball team since her freshman year.
“It has helped me build a community and a family, and we’ve been provided with everything we need. Other than fighting for gym times later in the year, it is normally good,” said Hill.
Fellow teammate on the club volleyball team, Jaden McCoy, a junior majoring in forensic psychology, agreed with Hill when reflecting on club sports and their impact on her social experience.
“I joined my sophomore year by playing intramural beach volleyball with some of the previous players, and the team has helped me meet a lot of new people,” said McCoy.
Club sports on the Lynchburg campus continue to grow in popularity and competitiveness, offering students a manageable opportunity to expand their athletic community while engaging in challenging matches throughout the year.
For more information on Lynchburg Sports, visit the Official Athletics Website.
