While Clemson University promotes a wide range of activities to encourage on-campus engagement, almost one sixth of its student population is drawn to one program in particular: Club Sports. For the 4,500 individuals participating across a total of 43 competitive sports, it offers the chance to continue a current recreational interest, return to a beloved pastime, or learn a completely new skill — all within a schedule that balances academics and other social involvements.
In addition to competitions throughout the academic year, athletes attend practices during the week, participate in occasional civic engagement opportunities and host fundraising events. Each Club Sports team belongs to a formal league, connecting them to opponents at other universities across the country and providing an opportunity to compete for regional and national championships.
Currently, there is a major development happening in the world of Clemson Club Sports. Club Sports Association President Jack O’Neill is assisting with the restoration of Campus Recreation’s administrative oversight of Club Sports, which have operated independently for the last few years. The transition permits Club Sports teams who use Campus Rec facilities — such as Fike Recreation Center, the Upper and Lower Intramural Fields, the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex, and more. It also connects Club Sports leadership teams with advisors and faculty members, who can provide valuable guidance about organization finances and logistical planning.
“The goal is for Club Sports to create a good connection and friendship with Campus Rec; we want this relationship to feel mutual, rather than transactional,” says O’Neill.
The change will go into effect in the Fall, and it will apply to 17 sports in its first phase. As the partnership proves to be beneficial, more sports will likely be included in the future. With this development, the Club Sports program will continue to grow and fulfill its role in contributing to Clemson’s goal of delivering the No. 1 student experience.
“At the end of the day, I am so proud to wear Clemson on the back of my jersey when I go out and play,” says O’Neill, who also serves as president of Men’s Club Volleyball. “And I know every other Club athlete is as well.”
A quick look at results this spring shows many Club Sports teams have shown great pride in representing Clemson. Some are reaching new heights and others achieving milestones for their respective programs. As part of a new twice-a-year series, our Spring 2026 Club Sports update looks specifically at three of Clemson’s thriving programs.
Club Baseball
Fresh off their second-ever World Series appearance last season — 15 years after the club’s first in 2010 — Clemson Club Baseball is heading into their final few games of the regular season. With over 50 participating athletes, the program is split into two teams: D1 and DII. The former is undefeated in conference play, while the latter is undefeated — a perfect 14-0 on the season.
Club President Caden Colangelo, a junior bioengineering major from Virginia, is excited about all of the successes within the program. After joining the team as a freshman, when there were only seven students involved, he is incredibly proud of its transformation and development into an elite organization, full of dedicated athletes from all different backgrounds.
“We have regular students, we have guys who transferred in from junior colleges, we have guys from Limestone, which was recently shut down,” Colangelo says. “We have a guy who at one time was committed to Washington State University. And we have guys recovering from major injuries. Clemson Club Baseball has given all of them a second chance to play the game they love — that’s the best part of it.”
Both teams continue to improve, challenging themselves in practice and during games. New this season, the DI team is beginning to play developmental teams from official NCAA schools, introducing new opponents in the form of scholarship athletes. This upgraded level of competition reflects a unanimous desire to grow and test each individual player’s skills.
The DI team plays at the JB “Red” Owens Sports Complex in nearby Easley, while the DII team plays at Dawson Park along Highway 76 near campus. All games are free admission and open to the public.
This past weekend, the DI team faced Coastal Carolina at home in a conference series for Club Baseball parents’ weekend, while the DII team played Georgia at home. Each has one final home series before playoffs begin.
Follow Clemson Club Baseball on its website, Instagram and YouTube channels.
Men’s Club Rugby
Unlike most sports, Men’s Club Rugby competes in both the fall and spring, with key differences between the styles of play. In the fall, the team plays 15s, which features 15 players on the field for each team, two 40-minute halves, and an emphasis on defense, physical strength and structure. In the spring, however, the team plays 7s — a style with seven players a side, seven-minute halves, and an emphasis on high-speed play and stamina. Coming off a successful fall, which saw an appearance in the conference semifinals and another victory in the Palmetto Cup against the University of South Carolina, the Men’s Club Rugby team is now nearing the end of a great spring season.
After losing a number of key graduates from a highly-successful 2024-25 team, coach Troy Hall was tasked with rebuilding the team. He began recruiting students with significant rugby experience early, introducing them to the unique opportunity Clemson provides for its Club athletes to have a balanced experience of earning their degree while competing at a high level. Later, through tryouts, Hall sought a second set of students — individuals with general athleticism, who were willing to be molded into talented rugby players. The combination of both groups, between 50-60 players total, makes for a powerful program.
“It’s really cool to see that second group come out and embrace it,” says Hall. “To go from not knowing anything about rugby two years ago to it being a huge part of their life and the source of their closest friends — it’s amazing to watch.”
The team has traveled all across the Southeast for games against tough opponents. With a fresh group, there was a learning curve, especially in the transition from 15s to 7s, but they continued to succeed nonetheless. This past Saturday, April 11, the Men’s Club Rugby team won the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference championship for the second year in a row. In two weeks, they are traveling to Washington, D.C. for nationals.
Hall is very proud of his team, describing them as “keen and open to learning the sport but, also, committed to being good teammates, working hard and adding value to the program.”
Home matches are played at The Pier housing development off-campus and are open to anyone. Additionally, every Clemson Rugby match is streamed on a YouTube channel run by two of the players’ fathers, whose goal is to make the sport accessible to families — sometimes from overseas — along with fans and alumni.
Follow Clemson Men’s Club Rugby on its website, Instagram or YouTube.
Women’s Club Flag Football
Women’s Club Flag Football also runs through both semesters, though they haven’t been competing for long. The team was founded in Fall 2024 and didn’t officially become a Clemson Club Sport until a year later. In its brief history, the team has already achieved so much, and they plan to continue growing.
While the fall season brings big qualifying tournaments, the spring is a perfect opportunity to gain experience in games against stellar competition. So far, the Women’s Club Flag Football team has traveled to six weekend tournaments, most recently competing in a series of games at UNC Charlotte.
The team’s hard work has resulted in continued success. In the fall, the team was runner-up at regionals and barely missed an automatic bid to nationals, so this spring the team has been fueled by determination and resolute confidence.
Composed of 25 players and two coaches, the Women’s Club Flag Football program places a strong emphasis on team chemistry. They host team events multiple times a month, including pottery painting, sports watch parties and more. As these women have proven, building relationships off the field directly translates to success on the field.
The team holds tryouts at the beginning of each semester, open to any Clemson student.
“We would love to see anyone interested in the sport come out and give it a try!” says junior management major Dorothy Stein. “Women’s flag football is one of the fastest growing sports in the country right now, and we are trying to expand it here at Clemson as well.”
On Saturday, April 18, the Women’s Club Flag Football team will be hosting their first home tournament at Nettles Park, and they encourage students to attend and show their support for this program milestone.
Follow Clemson Women’s Club Flag Football on Instagram.
