Club sport a lesson in time management

Thursday, September 3, 2009

contributed photo

The KU women's lacrosse team competes in a scrimmage during practice. The team is in a transition period with a new club president stepping up and leading the team.

Being president of a club sport is no easy order. As president and leader of women’s lacrosse, Katlyn Kraft, St. Louis junior, knows well the time needed to care for a team.

Surprisingly, some students remain unclear as to exactly how much time is needed to ensure a club sport runs smoothly. Kraft is responsible for helping to set up the team’s play schedule by attending a yearly league conference in October. She must stay in contact with other club sports presidents in the conference and plan travel for her team. Of course this doesn’t include the time needed for practice, conditioning, and meetings with the vice president, treasurer or adviser.

Her interest in lacrosse stems from a manager position for her high school’s lacrosse team. Kraft uses lacrosse to stay in shape and sharpen her time management skills. Physical fitness shouldn’t be an issue because, as a mid-fielder (both attack and defense), Kraft is not surprised if she runs several miles a game, which usually last one to two hours.

When asked alongside last year’s president Celie Wall, Greensboro, N.C., senior, about the team dynamics, Kraft and Wall expressed approval and satisfaction.

“I trust my V.P. to handle her business and I trust my treasurer,” Kraft said.

Wall was happy that the teammates get along well.

“I feel that there were problems in the past and I had to tell them to let it go, but things are fine now,” Wall said.

Although these problems were minor, teammates now avoid pettiness and everyone gets a fair chance at playing if they’ve put in the time and effort. This formula appears to be paying off because women’s lacrosse managed a superb 8-1 season for spring 2009. The team also hit a first time record by placing first in the west division, then went on to win the entire Central Plains Women’s Lacrosse League. However, there remains a greater desire.

“Nationals, which are in Phoenix, Arizona, this year, would be nice,” said Kraft with a smile.

While the team is without a coach for now, Kraft is undaunted by the prospect of guiding and supporting her team, as well as dealing with the day to day stress of presiding over a club. Since being mentored by Wall, Kraft has the advantage of having a transition period instead of what Wall said was usually an abrupt change.

— -Edited by Jonathan Hermes

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