UTEP has long been recognized for its commitment to academic excellence.
Along with that, UTEP is always in the spotlight for its athletics program, but its vibrant club sports scene is and has been trying to carve out a name for itself.
With a diverse array of teams and passionate leaders, UTEP’s club sports are not just a platform for athletic achievement but also a way for students to build community and foster leadership skills.
At the helm of this program is Mark Johnson, UTEP’s Recreational Sports coordinator of Intramural and Club Sports. With a deep passion for sports and student engagement, Johnson has been instrumental in promoting club sports on campus.
“Our club sports provide an invaluable opportunity for students to pursue their passions while developing skills that extend beyond the playing field,” he said. “We encourage teamwork, dedication, and community involvement.”
Johnson says that these clubs must be founded by students and when approached, guides them through the proper steps to make them an official club sport.
Among the standout clubs is the UTEP men’s soccer team founded 5 years ago.
Joshua Martinez, a senior majoring in criminal justice, joined the team in January and is now leading them as president and captain of the team.
“To this day, I take it seriously,” said Martinez. “Every day is working hard and trying to improve our organization as much as possible.
Martinez says that one of the biggest yet most difficult goals to accomplish for the club is to establish a connection with the city. He emphasized how important it is to connect with them especially being a border city with a large Hispanic population with a potential large soccer fanbase.
“That’s the biggest challenge that we still have yet to overcome but it’s not impossible to do so,” said Martinez. “We’re working extremely hard to bring the talent and passion that soccer enthusiast and loving fans want to see at a professional level, we compete, we train, and we live this day in and day out.”
However, like all club sports at UTEP, the men’s soccer team faces financial challenges. Since the university does not provide funding for club sports, they rely heavily on self-funding to cover tournament fees, equipment and uniforms.
“We’re essentially kind of on our own. It is very challenging,” said Martinez. “We do not have any sponsorships; we don’t have any sort of partnered agencies that can boost us to that next level.”
The men’s volleyball team is another vibrant component of UTEP’s club sports.
Tyler Darrow, a freshman studying psychology, along with a friend founded the club in June after having played in other volleyball clubs. Darrow then took the responsibility as club president.
“This is for bonding and making new friends,” said Darrow. “Also, our wish is to bring this to the collegiate level where it’s an NCAA sport, because the growth of volleyball is moving very slowly for the men’s side.”
Like their soccer counterparts, the volleyball team faces similar funding hurdles, making their fundraising efforts vital for sustaining their season. Darrow explained that they hold out hope to secure funding to sign up for their first tournament.
“I think we look forward to one in Fort Worth. It’s our conference tournament for the fall, but I believe that’s the only one we will be attending,” said Darrow. “We’re all kind of having to save up our own money to get this going.”
Lastly, the table tennis Club, under the leadership of Andre Torres, a senior studying electrical engineering. Like Darrow, Torres helped co-found the club and now serves the club as president and coach.
Torres discussed how some people may not realize the seriousness of the sport due to its reputation. “The thing with table tennis is that most people don’t know it’s a sport,” said Torres. “They don’t grasp how hard it actually is to play because they don’t understand the difference between table tennis and ping pong.”
The success of UTEP’s club sports is not just about winning, it’s about creating a supportive and engaging environment for students.
As these leaders continue to inspire their teams, the future of UTEP’s club sports looks bright. Whether on the soccer field, volleyball court, table tennis arena or any of the numerous other sports clubs like rugby and ice hockey, these clubs are building a legacy of camaraderie and competition that enriches the UTEP experience.
As the fall semester progresses, UTEP’s club sports are gearing up for a series of competitions, promising to showcase not only the athletic prowess of their members but also the spirit of community that defines this dynamic program.
With leaders like Johnson, Martinez, Darrow, and Torres at the forefront, UTEP’s club sports are set to soar to new heights, all while navigating the financial landscape that comes with self-funding.
Adam Regalado is the multimedia editor for The Prospector and may be reached at [email protected]
