A puck drops at Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion. A whistle cuts across Skytop Turf. A group of climbers pack a van for the Adirondacks.
This is club sports at Syracuse University. The sweet spot between NCAA Division I athletics and intramurals, it’s where 1,500 students compete seriously, lead and manage their own organizations and build communities that last.
“You get a highly competitive experience—traveling for games, regionals and nationals, competing against top programs across the country and representing your university at a national level—while still maintaining the flexibility to pursue academics, leadership roles, Greek life and study abroad,” explains women’s club soccer co-captain Isabella Brown ’26. “Our players are ambitious in every area of their lives and that balance is something we take pride in.”
With more than 40 teams with varying ambitions, students can pick up where they left off from high school and try out for championship-contending teams like soccer, basketball and ice hockey; try a beginner-friendly sport with a supportive social scene like rugby or ultimate frisbee; or plan for the long term and find community with a life sport like swimming, running or outdoor adventuring.
Championship-Caliber Programs
The women’s club soccer team competes at a high level, building on five consecutive regional appearances and back-to-back national tournament bids.
The women’s soccer team is one of Syracuse’s most competitive club squads.
“Making regionals for the past five consecutive years and nationals for the past two demonstrates that this is far more than a casual club—we are a serious program with clear goals,” Brown says. “We train hard, conduct competitive tryouts at the start of each fall semester and hold ourselves to a high standard.”
Brown and co-captain Charlotte Lambright ’27 are responsible for the team’s success on and off the field. “As captains, we’re responsible for everything that keeps the team operating smoothly, and it allows us to have a successful season,” Brown says. “We organize practices, coordinate games and travel logistics, communicate with the league, manage finances and ensure our team culture remains strong.”
To do so, they prioritize team dinners and bonding activities. “The respect we have for one another translates directly onto the field,” she says. “These aren’t just teammates—they’re some of my best friends.”
Women’s club ice hockey continues its dominant run this year, coming off an undefeated 20–0 season and a national championship title.
Men’s club basketball is another selective and high-skill program that advanced to the National Club Basketball Association Regional Tournament last year. Women’s ice hockey has also set a high standard of success, going 20-0 last season, winning the Amateur Athletic Union College Hockey Women’s National Championship and has carried its undefeated streak through this year’s regular season.
Competitive and Welcoming
Through a partnership with Leinster Rugby in Ireland, men’s club rugby gains access to elite coaching, international opportunities and a connection to one of the sport’s premier organizations.
Some of Syracuse’s club sports, like ultimate frisbee and rugby, bridge the gap between going for gold and developing newcomers. They balance tough competition, while providing a fun, social and welcoming environment for all.
“We have a squad for every purpose,” explains men’s rugby president Sajid Chowdhury ’28. “The ‘A’ side is for those who feel developed and committed athletically, the ‘B’ side is for those who have been developed but also need to allocate time for other outside activities, and the ‘C’ side is for players who are learning about the game and want to increase their skillset before moving up.”
The rugby team also has a unique partnership with Ireland’s Leinster Rugby organization that provides the club with premier coaching and connections to one of the most successful rugby organizations in the world.
“The Leinster Rugby club partnership means everything to the team and players,” Chowdhury says. “We have been given many opportunities that have elevated us, whether through abroad trips, national playoff contentions or worldwide recognition from Leinster.”
Women’s club rugby unites athletes of all experience levels, fostering a close-knit team culture rooted in development, accountability and shared goals.
Women’s rugby president Oluwasayo Kumapayi ’26 is a testament to the program’s development mindset. A track and field athlete in high school, she came to Syracuse completely new to the sport and over three seasons grew into a two-time National Collegiate Rugby All-American.
“Lifelong teammates, a network of elite coaches and mentors and a program that pushed me far beyond the limits I had set for myself—that is what we are genuinely building here,” Kumapayi says. “The foundational qualities rugby instills: adaptability, accountability, composure under pressure and the ability to function as part of something larger than yourself—those do not stay on the pitch. They follow you everywhere.”
Built for Life
Caving is one of many expeditions organized by the Syracuse University Outing Club, which leads year-round trips focused on skill-building, adventure and shared experiences.
“Every club doesn’t have to aspire to win the national championship,” explains Pete Way, director for competitive club sports. “They can be what they want to be.” For many students, that means discovering a sport they’ll carry far beyond graduation.
The Syracuse University Outing Club offers backpacking, caving, climbing, paddling, cross-country skiing and mountain biking trips nearly every weekend. The club’s culture centers on teaching and shared growth, with experienced members hosting clinics that help newcomers build technical skills and confidence.
“Achievement and growth look different for everybody,” says club president Emma Covey ’26. “Some people take pride in becoming leaders, some conquer fears and others reach outdoor milestones. Winter hiking was something I wasn’t sure I was capable of doing until I was with people who motivate and inspire me to push myself.”
The club swim team creates space for competitive swimmers and casual participants alike. “We have a ‘social lane’ so everyone can achieve their goals without hindering other teammates’ experiences,” says member Claire Daukshus ’28. “I’ve met some of my best friends on this team, and it always puts a smile on my face to see my teammates around campus.”
Students can explore club swimming—along with more than 40 other teams—at the annual Club Sports Fair held at the start of the fall semester, helping them find the right fit for their interests and goals.
Running may be the most accessible life sport of all. “Our club is a community where anyone can join, no matter their experience,” says Sophia Lee ’27, vice president of the run club. Members train for everything from sprints to half marathons, adjusting their commitment to fit busy schedules. “The structure allows people to commit as much as their schedule allows, which helps them build a routine and manage fitness long term.”
For many, that flexibility makes all the difference—allowing competition and wellness to coexist with academics, jobs and leadership roles.
Whether chasing a national championship, learning a sport for the first time or creating lifelong healthy habits, club sports at Syracuse offers community for all. “It is more than just a sport,” Chowdhury says. “It’s a family.”
