Seniors leave their mark by establishing club sports teams

Club sports play an important role for Saint Joseph’s University’s campus life, and the Class of 2017 has made some significant contributions to this component of St. Joe’s athletics.

The most recent additions to club sports include Gaelic Football and Women’s Ultimate Frisbee. Both teams have made their rise in within the last four years and credit much of their success to their senior captains.

Gaelic Football officially became a club sport in 2013 and is now captained by senior Sam Giacino. Giacino heard about the team from a friend, attended the first practice, and despite having little prior knowledge about it, continued with the sport all four years.

Because Giacino has been with the team since it first started, he has been able to follow its growth and success.

“It’s been an intense roller coaster ride, but I’m happy I stuck with it all these years,” Giacino said.

He also said the past few years have been learning years, but the team’s original leadership and their determination have gotten them to where they are today. While the club started out with 10 to 20 people at each practice, it has steadily increased its numbers to 30 to 40 people per practice. They become more competitive and played against the Philadelphia Gaelic Football team this year.

During his time as captain, Giacino has tried to maintain the motivation and passion that the original captains had left. He hopes that the team will continue on its upward path after he graduates, and that the current members will keep spreading the word and playing with tenacity.

In addition, women’s Ultimate Frisbee has also come a long way in its first year as an official club sport. Senior captain Keira McHugh founded the team after participating in a Men’s Ultimate Frisbee tournament over the summer of 2016. She had no prior experience or interest in the sport, but after playing with the men’s team, she knew she needed to start a team for women.

McHugh got the team approved as a club sport and quickly found that there was a great interest among other female students to join. Although the team is laidback and welcomes all regardless of past experience, they have already played in a tournament this year against other women’s college teams in the area.

This tournament is one of McHugh’s favorite experiences from being on the team, and she is extremely proud of how her teammates played despite competing against more successful teams. Although it was still a learning experience, McHugh said their opponents were supportive of them, and they were able to keep up.

“That really says something about the community and Frisbee culture,” McHugh said. “They’re really supportive, understanding, and welcoming.”

McHugh has formed the team atmosphere under positive values, and she hopes this continues after she graduates.

“I hope that it stays this energetic,” McHugh said. “I hope that everyone is excited to come to practice and is making friendships on the team.”

Friendship and community are two important parts of the team that make it what it is, according to McHugh. She hopes that women looking to join the team will feel empowered and find a campus family through the opportunity.

These two sports encompass the spirit of club sports, and their successes are another legacy left to us by the Class of 2017.