Club Sports Spotlights
Sailing
Did you know Rutgers has its very own Boathouse? The Boathouse was built in 1950 on the Raritan River, near the Cook Douglass campus. It houses over twenty boats and serves as the Club Sailing team’s main practice facility during the school year’s beginning and end between 4:30 and sunset.
I didn’t know about the Club Sailing team until I met Amelia Mignone, a member of both the sailing club and my current resident hall. When we spoke, she emphasized the valuable community space, influential networking opportunities, and lifelong relationships that being part of the team offers, with alumni supporting coaching, boat maintenance, and fundraising ventures.
The best part? Anyone can join! “There are no tryouts to join the Rutgers Sailing Team” Mignone clarified. “We are a club team that welcomes members from all types of backgrounds, in fact, most of our sailors learned how to sail here at Rutgers.” Sailing provides a perfect way to meet friends, take a break from “all the hustle and bustle at Rutgers,” and most clearly a new life skill to develop and improve on. “I am always learning something new about sailing whether it be from other college teams or my coaches here at Rutgers,” said Mignone.
When interviewing Rutgers club sports members, one thing is clear: club sports offer unique opportunities for new life experiences. Unlike before college, where it may have seemed that starting a sport late was challenging, Rutgers club sports open doors to unexpected passions. For instance, Mignone discovered her love for sailing here at Rutgers, saying “I had no idea how much fun sailing could be until I tried it.” She encourages those hesitant to join the sailing team with a persuasive offer: “Just try it! The first two lessons are free!” so why not give it a shot?
For more information, contact the Club Sailing President, Kate Faranetta, at kmf230@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.
Women’s Soccer
As soccer season is in full swing, it’s the ideal moment to interview the Women’s Club Soccer team! In this Q&A section, we have condensed the team’s responses into a single representative answer.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about Women’s Club Soccer?
A: “Women’s club soccer has single-handedly changed the way I see soccer. Playing with a group of people who love soccer just as much as you can make soccer more than just a sport”
Q: Is there a specific game you’re excited for… maybe because of a rivalry or just a good match in skill?
A: Some exciting rivalries include Fordham, Montclair, and Seton Hall. Though some team members stressed that to them the rivals don’t matter, getting time to play soccer is what they value regardless of the competition aspect.
Q: How do you balance your responsibilities as a student and an athlete?
A: “I try to schedule my classes around it through school and work always comes first! It’s not always easy but with the right routine you can’t go wrong”
Q: Do you have any advice for people who may be interested in club sports but are hesitant to join?
A: “DO IT! It was definitely nerve-wracking for me at first because I didn’t know anybody, but it was by far one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, there’s nothing to lose. If it isn’t for you, then it isn’t for you, and that’s okay.”
For more information, contact the Women’s Club Soccer President, Maddy Garcia, at mrg228@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.
Preseason Reflections
ACHA Ice Hockey
I interviewed Joshua Solovey, the ACHA President, to reflect on last year’s challenging season, where the team experienced mostly losses with a record of 3-22. We explored what went wrong, what went right, and the steps the team is taking towards a successful season this year.
Last season, the team experienced roster instability with frequent departures and additions, coupled with a young roster, which significantly impacted the team. “The roster we started with was not the team we finished with,” Solovey explains; “a lot of people quitting and joining at random points in the year along with a very young roster definitely hurt the team.” This lack of a solid core hindered the team’s success; not only did it leave the team feeling disconnected and temporary, but it also made it difficult to develop natural leadership roles within the group.
To avoid last season’s challenges and boost team morale this year, Solovey emphasized how “the team has been with each other just hanging out since move-in day. This year the group is a lot closer even with another large first-year class.” Additionally, Solovey highlighted his team’s strengths, particularly their speed, athleticism, and willingness to make physical plays, which should help control the pace of most games.
With that in mind, there’s a strong sense of optimism for the upcoming season, anticipating more wins and more overall enjoyment. Solovey expressed his excitement for in-state rivalry games against schools like William Patterson and TCNJ, “those games always have a lot more excitement to them since most of us have been playing with and against those guys since we were kids.” His response highlights yet another positive aspect of Rutgers Club Sports: the opportunity to maintain and strengthen connections with fellow New Jersey athletes around the state. It’s a fantastic way to preserve old friendships and enjoy the college club sports experience.
For more information, contact Josh Solovey at jpshua.solovey@rutgers.edu.
Club Sports Advisory Board
The Club Sports Advisory Board had its inaugural meeting on September 18th to start off the year. They introduced their members and discussed topics such as fundraising, financial accountability processes, and future solutions to gear and equipment orders. The Board will share their discussions with the Club Sports Presidents at this month’s President’s Meeting and welcomes feedback from all Club Sports teams.
Meet the Board
Sarah Keady – Club Field Hockey
Sarah Keady, a senior majoring in Sports Management, serves as the Captain of the Club Field Hockey team and has been the Club Sports Office Assistant for two years. Dedicating her time to the Club Sports Advisory Board for a second year, she hopes to focus on enhancing the club sports experience behind the scenes. Club sports have significantly shaped Sarah’s college experience, providing her with valuable opportunities and cherished memories, Sarah is committed to ensuring that students’ voices are heard and supporting the future of Rutgers Club Sports. Contact Sarah at sarah.keady@rutgers.edu.
Cory Petersen – Club Soccer (M)
Cory Petersen, a senior studying Industrial Engineering here at Rutgers, serves as the President of Men’s Club Soccer. His motivation for joining the board is to advocate for the student perspective in club sports. He sees significant potential for positive change and anticipates that the Advisory Board will make substantial progress toward tier long-term objectives this year. Contact Cory at cory.petersen@rutgers.edu.
Anthony Poppalardo – Ice Hockey AAU
Anthony Poppalardo is a senior majoring in Computer Engineering. He serves as the Captain of the Rutgers Ice Hockey D2/AAU Team and is also the current Cadet Wing Commander for Rutgers Air Force ROTC Detachment 485. Outside of school, he enjoys fishing in his home state of North Carolina. Contact Anthony at anthony.poppalardo@rutgers.edu.
Karolina Debniak – Club Sailing
Karolina Debniak is a sophomore in the Honors College, pursuing a major in Accounting at Rutgers Business School (RBS). Karolina serves as the treasurer for the Club Sailing Team and actively participates in various campus organizations, including Rutgers CAS and the RU Salsa Club. Outside of club sports, Karolina enjoys roller skating, crocheting, and baking. Contact Karolina at karolina.debniak@rutgers.edu.
Cameron Egan – Ice Hockey AAU
Cameron Egan is a junior pursuing a major in Finance and Business Analytics/Information Technology (BAIT) and currently serves as Treasurer for the Club Ice Hockey AAU team. Cameron’s deep-rooted passion for sports has led him to become a part of the Club Sports Advisory Board this year, and he hopes to help clubs foster the best possible experiences for students so they can continue their athletic passions throughout their college careers. Contact Cameron at cje72@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.
Drew Hynes – Club Lacrosse (M)
Drew Hynes, a junior majoring in Sports Management at Rutgers University and an active member of the Men’s Club Lacrosse team, seeks to enhance the club sports experience for all Rutgers students. Having greatly benefited from club sports during his past two years at RU, Drew is enthusiastic about his role on the Club Sports Advisory Board, where he aims to improve the experience for future students at Rutgers University. Contact Drew at aph79@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.
Do you have exciting news or updated information to share with the Club Sports community? Contact our writer, Hana Zimmerman at hz441@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.
