Club soccer is official

A co-ed club soccer team was formed last spring by a group of seniors and juniors who shared a passion for the game, according to team member and website designer Connor Halpin, 22, a computer science major from Hanover, N.H.

The Norwich University Soccer Club provides a way for students who love the game to play around and form friendships, according to one member of the club.

"I knew I couldn't fit being on the varsity team into my schedule, but I love the game so (the club) was a perfect fit for me," said Patrick Venetz, 17, a freshman criminal justice major from Port George, N.Y. "I didn't want to give it up."

For Patrick Crook, a 20-year-old English and history major from Highlands, N.C., joining the team was "a good chance to keep in shape and just enjoy kicking the ball around."

"After a while, more people began to show up, and the group just decided that it was time to start something bigger," Halpin said. "So we did the whole SGA (Student Government Association) thing, and got approved as a club."

Now the club is made up of 77 members, according to its Facebook group, and continues to grow. "Our best advertising is that we practice out here on the Wise Campus Center green," said Halpin. "And we play some awesome music."

The club competes against schools in the New England area that have similar clubs, and every member of the team has the opportunity to play provided they come to two practices per week, said Venetz.

"I couldn't believe they just let me play, just as a freshman rookie, they put me out there as a starter," Venetz said.

"It hasn't been perfect," Crook said. "But what's most important is the game itself really."

The club's fun atmosphere also provides an escape for students from their every day, crazy lives such as ‘rookdom,' double majors, the corps and work, agreed Crook and Venetz.

Camaraderie and fraternity around a common love is the purpose of any club on campus, but for this club, much like club hockey, they are a team first and foremost.

"I've made some great friends so far, I love playing with these guys," Venetz said, "I wouldn't trade it for anything, it's been such an awesome experience so far."