This year, Wright State University has seen an increase in the amount of club sports teams offered. The most recent addition to WSU is the Women's Club Basketball team, just now joining the community of club sports.
The new club team
At WSU, there are many club teams offered for students who may be interested in getting active and involved. These range from classics like cheerleading, soccer and football to trendier sports like pickleball, lacrosse and hockey.
While the majority of these teams include teams for men’s and women’s, WSU is just now making a new team addition. Women’s Club Basketball is starting up and getting ready to build a new team from scratch.
Often these club teams are inspired and created by current WSU students. This team is no different from any others and it was put together by the President of the team, freshman Emma Slattery, the Vice President, sophomore Amber Ward and the Treasurer, freshman Callie Jenkins.
Sophomore and new teammate to the club, Mary Ellen Tokodi-Ruth, spoke on what inspired her to join the team,
“For me, I wanted to actually start Women’s Club Basketball since I was here at [WSU]. I’ve been playing since I was little and then I got emails that a club was started, it was the perfect opportunity,” Tokodi-Ruth said.
But the team is not just for people who have skills; they are aiming for anyone who wants to be involved on campus and learn the sport.
“So, I’ve played basketball my entire life, and we have people who’ve never touched a ball. So, it’s like creating a safe environment where people can grow," Ward said.
Ward stressed the importance for any girls interested to not feel pressured to know the game of basketball but to keep an open mind and be ready to learn in order to play for the team.
The players are already taking time to grow the team and start working on their teamwork and skills by attending practices together.
Slattery offered information for what is to come for the team and the upcoming season.
“We just started so it’s a little messy. Right now, we need people. But once we get it, we’ll be on track and we are planning on the spring for doing games and scrimmages with other teams around, so it’s not just practicing all the time,” Slattery said.
Practices are currently held in the McLin Gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. It was also encouraged for people who think they may be interested, but are not yet sure, to attend and spectate. That way, they can watch a practice to get a feel for what the experience could be like without requiring any information. However, for those interested in attending and participating in practice, they must fill out a fusion form prior to stepping onto the court.
Students can fill out this form at fusionfamily.com.
The team is forming and ready to get at it. They are dedicated, excited for the game of basketball and ready to see what this team has in store for them.
