Organization Handbook
Club Sports
ODU Club Sports Mission Statement
The Student Activities Office and club sports organizations are dedicated to providing leadership and recreational opportunities for students who are interested in a sport or activity. Club sports strive to foster a unique experience in learning, growth, and leadership during the college experience. All club sports are student-run and represent Ohio Dominican with pride and honor.
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What is a Club Sport?
A club sport is a group of students voluntarily organized for the purposes of furthering their common interest in participating in a competitive sport activity. Club sport teams are formed so members can learn new skills, improve existing skills, engage in competition, and develop relationships with members of the community.
All club sports organizations are student lead with an advisor/coach who reports to the Director of Student Activities. Club sports are funded through student activity fees, membership dues, and organization fundraisers.
The Student Activities Office reserves the right to refuse recognition to any club requiring extensive funding or resources, any club involving high liability or risk factors, or any club that does not properly represent Ohio Dominican University.
Organizations may not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
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Membership
Participation in club sports is voluntary. Ohio Dominican University is not responsible for any injury or property loss that may be sustained by a participant or advisor/coach. No medical or ambulance expenses incurred by a participant or advisor/coach will be paid by Ohio Dominican University. All participants are required to sign a Club Sport Consent and Waiver of Responsibility Form each academic year prior to the first scheduled game or activity. All completed forms must be returned to the Student Activities Office.
Club sport organizations must submit a complete roster of club members to the Student Activities Office prior to their first scheduled game or activity. The roster must be updated throughout the semester as the organization accepts new members. Students whose names do not appear on the roster are not eligible for participation in club activities or travel.
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Conference Affiliation
Teams that compete in leagues and conferences that have been developed specifically for club and recreational sports are responsible for complying with all rules and regulations that have been set forth by the league or conference.
Any club sport seeking affiliation with a league or conference must have prior approval from the Director of Student Activities before becoming a member of that league or conference. The club sport organization is responsible for submitting the necessary entry forms and fees.
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Club Sports Equipment
- All club sport equipment purchased by Ohio Dominican University allocated funds becomes the property of Ohio Dominican University.
- Club sports equipment may be used only during the club’s activity season. During the remainder of the year, it must be securely stored. Storage arrangements must be made with the Director of Student Activities.
- All equipment and supplies must be issued under the direction of the Director of Student Activities, with the assistance of the club sport organization president.
- Any equipment not turned in will be charged against the club and/or its members.
- Equipment will not be modified in appearance, representation, and/or functionality. Any desired and/or necessary modifications must have prior approval from the Director of Student Activities.
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Travel Regulations
All club sports must follow the travel regulations established in the Trip Guidelines section of this handbook.
Club sport organizations’ Standards of Conduct and University policies are applicable to club sport travel. The transportation and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited while traveling on club sport sponsored trips. Failure to abide by the trip guidelines will jeopardize the organization’s affiliation with the Student Activities Office and Ohio Dominican University.
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Athletics Insurance Program
All students attending Ohio Dominican University should have health insurance. Typically, this is provided by either a parent or legal guardian. If the student is unable to show proof of insurance, he/she should purchase health insurance. This health insurance, whether provided by a parent, legal guardian, or purchased by the student-athlete, is called the student-athlete’s PRIMARY INSURANCE.
All individuals cleared by the sports medicine department for participation in Intercollegiate Athletics at Ohio Dominican University are then also covered by a SECONDARY/EXCESS INSURANCE provided by the Athletics Department. All claims are administered through the secondary insurance company. This program is only to assist in covering expenses incurred and only pays dollar amounts not covered by the student athlete’s PRIMARY INSURANCE. Also, this “secondary/excess” plan only covers injuries that are incurred while the student-athlete is engaged in practice and/or competition of his/her sport. Furthermore, this Intercollegiate Athletics Insurance program covers only injuries or accidents due to sports participation; it does not cover illness or sickness. The secondary insurance policy has a $750 deductible per claim. This deductible can be met by Primary Insurance Payments or Out-of-Pocket expenses, or a combination of both. If the athlete does not have Primary Insurance, then the deductible is met through out of pocket expenses.
This program requires an active role by the student-athlete and his/her parents. In order to utilize this SECONDARY/EXCESS plan, the student-athlete must first report any and all injuries to the Athletic Training Staff immediately and without delay. If further medical attention is warranted, the student-athlete will be referred by a Certified Athletic Trainer to a physician for evaluation. In order to access this SECONDARY/EXCESS PLAN, the student-athlete and/or parents must then file a claim with the student-athlete’s PRIMARY INSURANCE when medical expenses are incurred. Primary insurance companies typically respond to these claims with an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). This EOB will indicate what charges will and will not be covered by the primary insurance company. A copy of this EOB and all itemized bills must then be sent to the Sports Medicine Department at Ohio Dominican University. Once the SECONDARY/EXCESS insurance company has received all this information, it will pay the remainder of all bills ON A FULL EXCESS BASIS.
In order to maximize the benefits under the Athletic Insurance Plan, we ask that you acquaint yourselves with the rules and regulations pertaining to the filing of claims under you personal health care plans. Failure to comply with these basic requirements may jeopardize the settlement of your claim under both programs.
Please be sure your son/daughter has correct, up-to-date insurance information with them. We recommend that each student-athlete carry their own insurance card or a copy of the parent’s card. If the student-athlete’s PRIMARY INSURACE coverage changes during the school year, please inform the Athletic Training Staff of the change as soon as the change occurs. Failure to do so may negate coverage, and make the student-athlete and/or parents responsible for any expenses incurred.
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Reporting Player Injuries
All player injuries should be reported to the Director of Student Activities immediately. The following should be included in the report:
- Player Name
- Date of Injury
- Location Injury Occurred
- Description of Injury
- Brief Explanation of How Injury Occurred
- Description of Medical Attention Received
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Standards of Conduct
Club sports members are obligated to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner that does not threaten the safety of others or detract from the reputation of Ohio Dominican University. Members will be committed to the true spirit of competition through respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership, and sportsmanship. Violations of federal and state laws and University policies, whether occurring on or off campus, are subject to disciplinary action and may jeopardize the individual’s/team’s membership status.
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Move to next section: Student Activities Allocation Board