The Crier

In Limbo at Oosterbaan

In the grey area between club and varsity, some teams must play in the dark

Jack Bruce · Sport · Jan 29, 2007

Who are the most committed athletes at the University of Michigan? Is it the football team with their lobster dinners and all-expenses-paid credit cards? Is it the basketball team, famous despite crummy playing that’s kept them out of the NCAA tournament for years? Or perhaps one of the hundreds of others that benefit from a free education, free gear, and the posh, athletes-only Ross “academic” center on State Street?

Just as likely, you’ll find them among an entirely different class of athletes at the University – club varsity.

Take the men’s lacrosse team. They aren’t as casual as the club teams, and sit just a hair below the elite at Michigan. Like the other club varsity teams, they don’t enjoy the recognition or perks of the varsity teams. They’re a hard-working group of collegiate athletes who sacrifice their time and money to play simply for the love of their sport.

Due to the restrictions of Title IX, Men’s Lacrosse has remained at the club varsity level since 2000.

The club varsity status shows that a team has been elevated above the club level by the University, is supported by limited funding from the athletic department, and will eventually be promoted to the varsity level. Due to the restrictions of Title IX, however, the team has remained at the club varsity level since 2000. This will likely remain the case until the University can spare the time and money to elevate it.

Men’s lacrosse benefits from the university’s Nike contract, as well as sponsorships from Warrior – the Warren, Michigan-based lacrosse equipment giant – and the helmet manufacturer Riddell. It is one of the most respected programs in the nation, usually ranking in the top five. Their all-time conference record is an imposing 71-2. They fit well within the winning tradition of Michigan athletics.

Men’s lacrosse does enjoy benefits that other colleges’ club lacrosse teams don’t, but they’re still at a disadvantage. Varsity teams get priority at Oosterbaan field house. Lacrosse trains behind chipping practice for women’s golf and batting practice for the baseball team. Practices usually run past midnight four or five days a week. Many players, especially freshmen, have early classes and tough academic loads that they have to balance with practices, games, meetings and lifting sessions.

Players must get into the University their own merits, and then pay as much as $2700 to play.

Since the team isn’t technically varsity, the athletic department doesn’t allow them to use varsity facilities. They don’t have money for scholarships, nor do they have any admissions pull. Skilled players must get into the University on their own merits, and then pay as much as $2700 to play.

The team — which is about half in-state and half out-of-state players — shares a sentiment rarely found in other University sports: the desire to play simply for the love of the sport. They don the wings and the maize and blue without the help of scholarships or the glory of being recognized as a varsity athlete. The Michigan Daily still refuses to cover them. If you want to see true dedication, just pay a visit to Oosterbaan at midnight.