The start of the spring semester signals the beginning of the baseball season and the heart of the LSU basketball schedule.
However, LSU students do not have to be a member of Smoke Laval’s squad or dribble on the floor of the PMAC to participate in athletics during the spring. Instead students can join one of the many teams available through LSU club sports.
Club sports offer a wide range of teams for those interested in furthering athletic careers or just interested in getting in shape.
Many clubs have their regular seasons during the spring semester. Currently LSU’s ultimate frisbee community is gearing up for their spring schedule.
The men’s ultimate frisbee club has high expectations for the spring semester following their second-place finish at Regionals in 2003. The team missed being invited to the national tournament by one spot, something they will try to remedy this season.
“We expect to make nationals in Seattle [this year],” said club president Dan Miller.
The men’s team plans to attend six regular-season tournaments this spring, in additional to their three post-season tournaments. The 20-member squad practices three times a week and is open to anyone interested.
“We always take new members,” Miller said.
The LSU women’s ultimate fribee club also has an ambitious schedule for the spring semester. The club plans to participate in eight tournaments, including the Mardi Gras Tournament in Baton Rouge and the Sunblock Tournament in Savanah, Ga.
During spring break members of the squad will travel to Rimini, Italy for the Pagamellow Tournament featuring ultimate frisbee teams from around the world. Members of the LSU team will join together with players from other schools to form an American team.
Women’s ultimate frisbee is in its second year as an LSU club sport. Club president Amber Abel said she is pleased with the progress the team has made.
“We have a good core team,” Abel said, adding that the main goal of the team this semester is to increase membership.
LSU students not interested in ultimate frisbee still have a wide selection of club sports available. There are 23 club sports on campus ranging from women’s rugby to Brazilian jujitsu.
More information about club sports is available on the LSU recreational sports’ web page at www.lsu.edu/recsports.