If you know someone that participates in club sports, you probably realize that they dedicate a lot of time to their sport. However, club sports usually fly under the radar at N.C. State.

At most club sports events, the crowds are small and the venues are unimpressive. But that is no reason not to give them support.

While no one expects thousands of people to show up and watch the club basketball team play, some of the intense school spirit shown at basketball and football games should flow over to club events.

With more than 50 club sports offered at N.C. State, there are plenty of opportunities to support the clubs. The diversity of club sports also gives students a chance to discover a new sport. 

Members of these clubs volunteer their time, money, talent and so much more for very little. While most participants may not be playing for fame, State fans should show up and support them either way. 

Club members spend hours upon hours training for events and staying fit. For example, the rowing club practices during the early hours of the mornings a few times a week. In addition to that, they also practice again in the afternoons.

While not every sport practices multiple times a week at difficult hours, they all require some sort of devotion. Trying to balance their schoolwork with their training can be difficult. NCAA athletes have tutors and other paid staff to help them balance their workload between athletics and academics. 

Many clubs also charge members to play. While NCAA athletes are receiving tuition, room and board, and equipment, club members have to pay to play. Sometimes club dues are as cheap as $5 a semester, but other sports can cost $500 a semester. 

When an NCAA athlete is unhappy with a team situation or worried that the team will not win a national title, they can transfer. Club members could transfer, but transferring for a club sport is not an ideal reason to leave. Regardless of the situation, most club members stick it out.

The men’s rugby club was supposed to have a breakout year and perform well at nationals. Instead, they struggled to live up to expectations. Instead of quitting the club or playing with the Raleigh men’s rugby club, the team has shown loyalty and stuck together. 

Clubs donate their talent and get very little in return. More often than not, they are playing on small fields with a few bleachers instead of large stadiums and entertaining a crowd of 50 instead of 5,000.

Recently, the men’s club rugby team destroyed UNC-CH, 100-0. The game took place on Method Fields with about 100 people there. UNC had no answers for the powerful forwards and athletic backs from N.C. State. 

Club sports recognize rivalries just like varsity sports, and no matter which sport it is, the feeling of beating our blue rivals is always rewarding.

If you want another chance to support club sports, the rugby team will be playing June 1-2 in Philadelphia, which will be broadcasted live through the NBC Sports Network. Making the trip to Philadelphia may be a little extreme, but watching the team represent our University on national television is not too much to ask.

The clubs leave it all on the field for their university, so the N.C. State fan base should support them.