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How To Create a New Club Sport

 
Please review the information below to learn how to create a new Club Sport at Tufts University. If after reviewing you have further questions, please contact clubsports@tufts.edu.
 
What is a Club Sport at Tufts?
Club Sports are a subset of recognized student organizations that regularly compete in sports activities against other colleges and universities within a national governing body. Our Club Sports program offers an assortment of team and individual sports. Club Sports are governed by policies and regulations set for by their individual governing bodies, The Tufts Athletic Department, The Tufts Office of Campus Life (OCL), and Tufts Community Union (TCU). Club Sports participate within their approved season within the academic school year unless otherwise told.
 
The Club Sports Manual is a great resource for Club Sports leaders, participants, prospective members, and administration on the processes and procedures of the Club Sports Program. Prospective club sports are encouraged to review the manual before considering applying to become a Club Sport.
 
General Criteria for Club Sports:
  1. The group’s purpose and activity must be consistent with the mission and purpose of the Club Sports Program.
    1. student group that regularly competes in sport against other colleges and universities overseen by a governing body.  
  2. The group must be engaged in a sporting activity.
  3. The group must provide balance or add to the variety of sports activities on campus.
  4. The proposed club is comprised of currently enrolled Tufts undergraduate students.
  5. The initial number of students interested in participating in the proposed activity is a minimum of double the required roster size or no less than 10 (whichever is greater).
    1. Example- baseball requires 9 players on the field, you must have at least 18 interested individuals. While golf can be played as an individual, we require at least 10 interested individuals. 
  6. Suitable facilities and equipment must be available such that the club can meet, practice, and hold competitions.
  7. The group must not create a demand for resources (i.e. staffing or facilities) greater than that which can be met by the Athletic Department.
  8. There must be adequate competition within the surrounding region.
 
Before applying, consider the following questions-
  1. Is your proposed club unique and different from all other existing clubs on campus?
  2. Is your proposed club sustainable? Do you have members and interest to keep the organization going from year to year?
  3. Can the university provide the resources your proposed club will need to be active?
  4. Does your proposed club meet all of the General Criteria for Club Sports?
 
If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, please reconsider applying for Club Sports status until you can answer “yes” to all of the above.
 
Application Process
  1. Complete the NEW Club Sports Application 24-25  (Application is open from August 4, 2025 – September 30, 2025)
    1. Information you will need to complete the request includes-
      1. Club leader contact information
      2. Draft of the club’s constitution
      3. General club information
      4. Financial needs
      5.  Interested membership list (Names, Email, Class year)
  2. Meet with Athletics
    1. After the application closes, the prospective club will be contacted by Club Sports Staff for a follow-up meeting to discuss the application and any further questions or concerns.
  3. Status notification
    1. Your prospective club will be contacted regarding your recognition status prior to the end of the fall semester. Status can be one of the following-
      1. Temporarily Approved
        1. Prospective club is granted temporary approval pending results of a trial period. Trial periods can last between 1-4 semesters. During trial periods, the temporary clubs are eligible to hold club activities, and will be watched closely to ensure the sustainability of the club and ensure the club can follow university/club sports policies.
      2. Wait listed
        1. Prospective club is wait listed until the resources needed to support the proposed club is met. During this time, the prospective club is not approved to hold any activity or events. There is no timeline on when groups will be removed from the waitlist.
      3. Denied
        1. Request to be a recognized Club sports is not granted. Specific reasons as to why will be provided.
 
Benefits of being a recognized Club Sport
Being a fully recognized club sport of the university provides several benefits, including but not limited to the following:
  1. Supplementary budget provided by TCUJ to help with costs of running the club
  2. Ability to use Tufts name and logos
  3. Access to Club Sports fleet
  4. Access to athletic amenities including indoor and outdoor facilities for practices and competitions.
  5. Team website provided by Athletics Department
  6. High risk clubs have access to medical services through Sports Medicine and all clubs can hire athletic training staff on a per diem basis.
  7. Professional oversight and support from the Assistant Director for Club Sports & Recreation.