Men’s Lacrosse

Not to be undone by the many successes of the other sports clubs at Kansas, men’s lacrosse comes back this year with greater expectations. A problem not uncommon to non-revenue sports, coach Mark Barrath hopes to garner attention from students.

“Lacrosse has been such a foreign sport to the Midwest in the past, we feel it is extremely important to introduce people to what has been called the fastest game on two feet,” Barrath said.

The team consists of roughly 20 players right now. The coaching staff anticipates great freshmen additions to the team this fall to make those numbers swell to 30 or 35. The team travels considerably far outside its conference to other schools such as Purdue and regularly hosts teams such as Missouri at Shenk Sports Complex, at 23rd and Iowa streets. The yearly alumni game is a highlight of the fall season.

Prospective players are encouraged to meet members of the club at Rec Fest and Union Fest during Hawk Week to obtain information and specifics about the conference and lacrosse culture.

See the club Web site for rosters, schedules and more at http://groups.ku.edu/~kulax/. Those with questions may contact the club directly at jayhawklacrosse@ku.edu.

Women’s Lacrosse

As defending conference champions, the women’s club lacrosse team takes its job seriously. Besides being one of the fastest-growing college sports across the nation, lacrosse at Kansas boasts enthusiastic players who take pride in their work and garner great success along the way. This year’s president, Katlyn Kraft, St. Louis junior, expects a repeat of a conference championship. As a member of the Central Plains Women’s Lacrosse League, the club team often competes against Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma teams. Also, the team hopes to make one or possibly two trips outside the conference as in years past. Like most other club sports, women’s lacrosse will hold informational booths and tables on campus during Hawk Week for prospective students, most notably during Union Fest and Rec Fest. More information about Women’s Lacrosse can be found at http://www.htosports.com/kulax.

Crew

There’s reason for the club crew team to be excited. It’s building a new practice facility, and expectations and aspirations are running high.

Feeding off the elation from last season’s high placement at the Great Plains Rowing Championships, Sunflower State Games and American Collegiate National Championships, the team will waste no time as it anticipates sending select members this fall to participate in the Head of the Charles Regatta at Boston.

Hovering around 20 Varsity members, crew is open to men and women and is comprised of varsity and novice categories. During Hawk Week, crew will have information tables at Rec Fest and Union Fest for prospective members and other inquisitive students.

The first match is in Des Moines, Iowa on Sept. 26. Interested students can see the crew Web site at http://www.kansascrew.com/ or contact the team directly at kansascrew@gmail.com.

— Jordan Williams

Hockey

The Kansas hockey team enters the season with high expectations after earning a berth in the playoffs last season.

This year the team is aspiring to make it even further: to the regional tournament. It opens up the season at home against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Sept. 11.

On-ice tryouts take place Aug. 25 to 27 at the Pepsi Midwest Ice Center in Overland Park.

Those who wish to try out for the team should contact team president Price Duncan at (913) 461-4636, or e-mail him at pdunk124@ku.edu.

— Ethan Padway

Women’s Rugby

The women’s rugby club and its

president Tiffany Lau know how important team chemistry can be.

“Rugby is such a unique sport because of how team oriented it is, you really create an amazing bond with your teammates,” Lau said. “This is what makes women’s rugby so great, you can make friends that last a lifetime, while having an amazing time playing a fun sport.” The club travels to play other colleges in the Midwest and competes in various tournaments.

The women’s club will start practice the second week of school at the Shenk Complex at 23rd and Iowa streets. The club practices from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, with games on Saturdays.

The team welcomes newcomers and is more then happy to teach the sport to anyone. Contact Tiffany Lau at tiffmlau@ku.edu for more information.

— Max Lush

Men’s Soccer

The KU Club Soccer squad offers the opportunity to p ractice three times a week and compete against other Big 12 conference competition.

The team will be hosting open tryouts from 9 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the Shenk Complex located near 23rd and Iowa streets.

Last season the club won conference before being eliminated in the semifinals of the National Tournament.

This season it looks to achieve and surpass those accomplishments when it opens the season at r ival Kansas State on Sept. 11.

For more information, contact Will Poczekaj, club team president at 630-330-1394, or kansasmensoccer@hotmail.com.

— Nick Ryter

Fencing

The Kansas fencing club returns for its 83rd year this fall. This year the club is traveling to multiple tournaments in the area and it’s bringing back the annual Jayhawk Open, which has been on hiatus for the past few years, in October. The fencing club is open to any student regardless of experience. It practices from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday nights in the Robinson Center, Room 260. Contact Joey Scalet at (913) 219-0177 or jmscalet@ku.edu for more information.

— Ethan Padway