Sport Clubs
The Sport Club program within Campus Recreation is an exciting way for students to get involved in competitive recreational sports while attending Illinois State University. Each Sport Club is run primarily by students, with assistance by the Department of Campus Recreation. Clubs are open to any Illinois State student regardless of skill level, but cuts are possible and costs vary depending on the specific club. Clubs typically practice on or near campus twice or more per week and primarily compete in-state or regionally on weekends during fall and spring semesters. For more information about a specific club, check the current list of Sport Clubs below and contact the team representative.
Each club must first become a Registered Student Organization with the Student Involvement Center prior to achieving sport club status. To start a Sport Club (one not listed below), please visit the Starting a Sport Club section. or contact the Sport Club office at (309) 438-2577.
- Badminton
- Baseball
- Basketball - Women's
- Cheerleading
- Cross Country
- Dance
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Fishing
- Golf
- Handball
- Ice Hockey
- Lacrosse - Men's
- Lacrosse - Women's
- Quidditch
- Roller Hockey
- Rugby - Men's
- Rugby - Women's
- Soccer - Men's
- Soccer - Women's
- Softball
- Table Tennis
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Ultimate - Men's
- Volleyball - Men's
- Volleyball - Women's
- Water Polo - Men's
- Water Polo-Women's
Contact: Kira Maceijewski
Email: ilstubirdies@gmail.com
The Badminton Club at Illinois State was renewed in Fall 2013 after a period of inactivity. With a diverse group of students, the Badminton Club has made a swift return to notoriety. With approximately twenty active competitive and recreational members, the club is quickly expanding into a powerhouse of doubles and singles players. This past year, the club raked in over twenty medals cumulatively. Competitive players travel to Purdue, UW-Madison, Iowa, UIUC and other universities to compete in tournaments.
The Badminton Club is also an environment where players can feel energized and inspired, on and off the court. The club executive board hosts team dinners, movie nights and other outings.
The Badminton Club at ISU is looking for individuals who want to play, learn and have a good time! Any skill level is welcome!
Contact: Jon Barlas
Email: jgbarla@IllinoisState.edu
Illinois State Club Baseball was recently established in 2007 and provides a fall league for players of all skills levels. The top players from the fall will participate in an All-Star Showcase which provides the club team with the opportunity to select new players to join the competitive spring club team. During the spring, practices are conducted twice a week.
The season begins with our spring trip to Florida and concludes with conference play through the National Collegiate Baseball Association (NCBA). We are looking for ball players who simply play for the love of the game and who are also willing to build new friendships.
Contact: Nicole Gerdevich
Email: isuclubbasketball@gmail.com
ISU Women’s Basketball Club was founded in 2009. We practice twice a week. In 2011, we placed first in the NIRSA Ohio State Regional Tournament and in 2012 we won first place in the State of Illinois basketball tournament. Every fall semester we host open gyms and tryouts. The spring semester is our competitive season with tournaments and nationals.
We pride ourselves in sisterhood, professionalism, hard work, and having fun. We look forward to the new additions to our team as well as the good memories we will make!
Contact: Maggie Wickman
Email: mjwickm@IllinoisState.edu
The ISU Competitive Cheerleading team exhibits at several different competitions during the Spring semester. Competitive Cheerleading consists of synchronized sections of jumps, tumbling, stunts, basket tosses, pyramids and a dance sequence choreographed and composed into a routine of about 2 minutes and thirty seconds. The routine is judged based on skill and difficulty, technique and perfection, performance and execution. It is usually performed in front of a crowd with high energy!
Our club's main focus is competing at NCA Nationals located in Daytona, Florida. We have competed in All-Girl Division I, but have competed in the Coed Division I during the 2010 and 2011 Nationals. We placed 6th in 2011.
Contact: Logan Thompson
Email: lathom1@IllinoisState.edu
We are a club cross country team. We give those who wish to still compete the opportunity to race against other club teams from schools across the country. This club is a great way to stay in shape and meet friends.
We compete as members of NIRCA (National Intercollegiate Run Club Association). Our club is for men and women of all levels. If you like to race and compete then we definitely are the club for you!
Contact: Katelyn Engle
Email: keengl1@IllinoisState.edu
The Competitive Dance Team at Illinois State University represents the University at the National Dance Alliance College Championships each year in Daytona, FL. The team also has several other performances throughout the season at various events both on and off campus. The team is comprised of talented dancers who have a common interest, ability in jazz and contemporary.
Contact: Mariah Dietz
Email: mdbiet1@IllinoisState.edu
The ISU Equestrian Club and Team consists of a club along with competitive Hunt Seat and Western teams that are affiliated with the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). We pride ourselves in offering any ISU student the opportunity to engage in horse related activities, riding and non-riding regardless of experience.
Contact: Nick Marasco
Email:
njmaras@IllinoisState.edu
The Redbird Fencers are currently a group of 10-15 active fencers of various skill levels. We practice twice weekly in the evenings on campus.
ISU's Fencing Club is for anyone interested in competitive or recreational fencing at Illinois State. Our club welcomes all skill levels. So whether you're an experienced fencer, or someone looking to find a new hobby, this club is the place to be! Feel free to contact us with questions.
Contact: Anthony Fazio
Email: antf2328@gmail.com
The "Lunker Junkies" was formed in February 2011 and has grown to a team of 14 anglers. We are the Official Bass Fishing Team of Illinois State University, and open to all current students. We primarily compete in college tournaments including Boat U.S., College FLW, and other various tournaments throughout the Midwest. Our team fishes recreationally as well, appealing to anglers of all levels.
We encourage the participation of those new to and familiar to the sport of competitive fishing. The Bass Team is active in our community, reaching out and volunteering throughout our ISU and Bloomington-Normal communities.
Contact: Alex Duffy
Email:
amduff1@IllinoisState.edu
The ISU Golf Club is a group of students who share a passion for the game of golf. We became a Sport Club in spring 2014, but that doesn't mean we haven't experienced success. We sent two members to NCCGA Nationals in our first season, and placed 1st and 2nd in our two regional team tournaments.
Whether you are interested in competing for a national championship, or you just want to find some fun people to play with on weekends with our recreational club members, the Golf Club would love to have you!
Contact: Zach Bolin
Email:
zgbolin@IllinoisState.edu
Started in Spring 2012, Handball is one of ISU’s newest sport clubs. We currently have almost 20 active members, and are always looking for new players. We practice 2-3 times a week and compete in 1-2 tournaments a semester.
This is 7v7 (6 court players and 1 goalie), Olympic style Team Handball. This sport has aspects of soccer, basketball, and hockey all in one. It involves dribbling, passing, shooting, and checking people. It is a very physical, fast-paced game with scores ranging in the 20’s. No prior experience is necessary and anyone is welcome!
Contact: Marc Hayton
Email:
mhayton@IllinoisState.edu
Illinois State Ice Hockey competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and also the Mid-America Collegiate Hockey Association. There are two teams, a division 1 team and division 2. We practice two nights a week on the ice with additional off ice work-outs.
We play around 30 games per season and have qualified for regionals in 2010 and 2011. We play most home games in the US Cellular Coliseum in downtown Bloomington and the Pepsi Ice Center Center next door.
Contact: Anthony Cecchin
Email:
illinoisstatelacrosse@gmail.com
The Illinois State Lacrosse Club was established in 1988 and remains one of the oldest clubs on campus. The team competes in the Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference (GRLC) of the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA).
Our league season is in the spring, but we practice and have tournaments in the fall. This club is not only a team, but a family.
Contact: Julia Shepard
Email: jashep1@IllinoisState.edu
The Illinois State Women's Lacrosse team was founded in the spring of 2014. In 2016, we officially become a part of the Women's Collegiate Lacrosse League, more specifically the Division 2 West League. In the west division, we compete against Augustana, University of Chicago, Lake Forest College, Wheaton College, DePaul University, and many more.
As a club we are looking for redbirds to join our team and become a part of our lacrosse family here at Illinois State University.
Contact: Kelly Kennedy
Email: kakenn1@IllinoisState.edu
Illinois State Firebirds was founded in 2010. We are a group of students committed to playing the unique co-ed sport of quidditch. We compete in the Midwest Region of the USQ (United States Quidditch), competing in three to four tournaments each semester. We have competed in Midwest Regional, as well as World Cup in the past.
No experience, or love for Harry Potter needed. We are looking for players who are ready to learn, play and share our passion for quidditch.
Contact: Matt Nicklas
Email: mtnickl@IllinoisState.edu
ISU Roller Hockey plays in the Great Plains Collegiate Inline Hockey League of the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) in St. Louis, Missouri. We have two teams, a division II and a division III team. We practice twice a week with additional workouts in between.
Contact: Connor Cesaretti
Email:
cacesar@IllinoisState.edu
ISU Men's Rugby was founded in 1971. We are a division two club that practices twice per week. We play a competitive season in the fall and an exhibition and tournament based season in the spring.
ISU Men's Rugby will take anyone who wants to learn the game or is looking for a constructive way to get fit. Every season is filled with blood, sweat and tears and includes new friendships and memorable experiences. SMOKEGOLD!
Contact: Mariah Martinez
Email: mamart8@IllinoisState.edu
ISU Women's Rugby was founded in 1976. We are a division two club that practices twice per week. In 2005, we placed 6th at Nationals, and have continued to advance to regional and sections every year.
We are a self-governed team, and we learn a lot from one another. NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED to join, so our rookie classes are some of the largest at ISU. Every season we have is filled with hard work, new friendships and great memories.
Contact: Nick Jenig
Email:
ndjenig@IllinoisState.edu
The Men's Soccer Club is part of the Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference and travels throughout the Midwest to take on Big Ten universities and other schools. Our competitive season takes place in the fall, but we still practice in the winter and spring.
Our membership ranges from 22-25 guys and we usually practice three days a week.
Contact: Haley Grabowski
Email: hgrabow@IllinoisState.edu
The Women's Soccer Club is part of the Women's Midwest Alliance Soccer Club (W-MASC) and NIRSA Region III Women's Club Soccer. We travel throughout the Midwest to take on Big Ten universities and other schools.
Our competitive season begins in the fall with try-outs, which will be held for 2017 on September 5-7 from 5-7 p.m. at Gregory Street Fields. Need a ride? Meet at the Alamo each day at 4:45 p.m. for a carpool to Gregory. Be sure to bring plenty of water! Our team consists of 23-25 girls and we practice three times a week and games every weekend until the end of October.
Contact: Abbey Regan
Email: ajrega1@IllinoisState.edu
Founded in 2007, the ISU Club Softball team is growing bigger and better each year. We are always looking for some great and dedicated softball players.
We play other club fastpitch softball teams throughout the spring and fall season (e.g. University of Illinois, Western Illinois, Miami of Ohio, Bradley, Wisconsin Madison, Marquette, Loyola, etc). We compete in the Great Lakes - South conference.
Redbird Table Tennis team after its first friendly tournament at the University of Illinois
Contact: Mohammed Zaman
Email:
mszaman@IllinoisState.edu
Redbird Table Tennis was established as an RSO in the fall of 2016 and joined the Sport Club Program in 2017. This club is a platform for student-athletes to learn and excel in the sport and have the opportunity to compete through the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association, under USA Table Tennis. We strive to promote a sense of unity among our players and to build an enjoyable atmosphere for players of all skill levels. We will compete in at least three tournaments per year, along with exhibition events.
Contact: Regan Cossey
Email: recosse@IllinoisState.edu
The Club Tennis team is for those interested in playing competitive or recreational tennis at Illinois State. The club is split into three parts: Recreational, Competitive, and the club's travel team. Whatever skill level you are, come out and play!
Contact: Christopher Braun
Email:
isutribirds@gmail.com
As a member of the MECTC and USAT, we compete around the country in various races that highlight the talents of a triathlete.
By no means do you have to complete an Iron man to be a member. We welcome athletes of all skill levels and interest. So if you are looking to get into shape and meet new people, or are a seasoned runner training for a marathon, Triathlon Club is the place for you!
Contact: Charlie Pomrehn
Email:
cypomre@IllinoisState.edu
Men’s Ultimate is more than a sports club. We pride ourselves on our sense of brotherhood and companionship with one another. Although we are a part of the Illinois State University Redbirds, we go by the Gnomes!
Our national governing body is USA Ultimate. We consist of a group of 40 guys. Our competitive season is the spring while we teach new players in the fall and condition over the winter seasons. We have 3 practices a week and encourage all students to participate in our club.
Contact: Alex Lulka
Email: alulka@IllinoisState.edu
Men's Club Volleyball is a way for college students to continue to play volleyball at a competitive level. We compete through the NCVF (National Collegiate Volleyball Federation), MIVA (Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association), and USA Volleyball.
The club generally consists of two teams of about 12 players each that practice twice a week. We typically go to four tournaments each semester and participate in the National Tournament in April.
Contact: Bailey Neiber
Email: brneibe@IllinoisState.edu
Women's club volleyball was founded in 2006 and competes in the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF). The club consists of two teams with 10-12 girls on each team.
We attend three tournaments in the Fall and three in the Spring, including the National Tournament. We practice twice a week on Monday and Wednesday nights.
Contact: Daniel Walsh
Email: dwalsh4@IllinoisState.edu
Illinois State Men's Water polo team participates in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) and has established a name for themselves since their creation in 2007.
The Redbirds are currently back-to-back Great Plains Conference Champions, two time national qualifiers and ended the 2011 season nationally ranked 15th. Five club members were named to the All-Conference team. The future is very bright for the Redbirds.
Contact: Josie Ehlbeck
Email: jtehlbe@IllinoisState.edu
The Women's Water Polo Club is a member of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) and plays within the Midwest Division. The team was founded in 2008 and made it to Nationals hosted in Tuscon, AZ in the 2010 season.
Our team practices Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights, and the spring is our competitive season where we travel and participate in tournaments.