Eastern has many student athletes not competing in the National Collegiate Athletics Association. Instead, they are members of Registered Student Organizations who play to stay fit, to enjoy the high-degree competition and to have fun.

“A majority of our RSOs were started by students who have a personal hobby and who wanted to see a group dedicated to that hobby at Eastern,” said Cecilia Brinker, director of Student Life.

Brinker said athletic RSOs at Eastern have a long history.

Some athletic RSOs began about 30 years and are going strong.

Men’s rugby was established in 1977, men’s volleyball in 1978 and ice hockey in 1979, according to records of registration at the office of Student Life.

New athletic RSOs are started each year, with many sports having organizations presently or in the past.

Any student can establish an RSO.

One of Eastern’s newest RSOs, women’s lacrosse, was started by Alyssa Baron, a freshman nursing major, approximately one month ago.

“I love this sport more than anything and I want to share my passion for it to other girls,” Baron said.

Baron said Eastern women’s lacrosse has five games this coming season against teams from the University of Illinois, Monmouth, and Western Illinois University.

Women’s lacrosse has 19 members who practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for roughly three hours in McAfee Gymnasium or the Lantz Fieldhouse, Baron said.

She said the membership fee is $100.

The Eastern Frisbee Club, which has 30 members, started two years ago, but has seen success.

“Since then we have been able to go to about four tournaments a semester and have finished second place four times now,” said Nathan Kissinger, Eastern Frisbee president. “Each tournament normally has an average of 16 teams. We do play in some tournaments that have as many as 64 teams and we received 21st place last year in that one.”

Kissinger said he is motivated by a strong will to win.

“We are a young squad and we have grown so much over the past two year,” Kissinger said. “Our first tournament we went to our record was 0-6. Now if we don’t finish in the top 20 percent of the teams we see the tournament as a total failure.”

Jake Cross, Eastern badminton club president, said he derives motivation differently.

“What motivates me to be active in my RSO is the desire to have fun,” Cross said. “I love playing badminton, and I go to club every night to have fun and to become a better player.”

Cross said badminton club’s 15 members meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in McAfee Gymnasium.

“EIU Badminton club is the place to be,” Cross said. “If anyone thinks they are good, I would highly recommend they come out and test their skills.”

Eastern racquetball, a more established RSO, has been around since 2005.

Thomas Rausch, president of Eastern raquetball, said there are men’s and women’s clubs.

Men play from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays in the Lantz Arena racquetball courts. The women play Wednesday nights from 7 to 8 p.m.

Rausch said Eastern Racquetball has approximately 70 members, but turnout at each scheduled practice varies.

“On any given night, I’d say we have anywhere from six to 12 players during our scheduled time,” Rausch said.

Rausch said the emerging players’ network attracted him to the club its inaugural year, and the players keep him interested.

“I stuck with racquetball because of the camaraderie of the club members,” Rausch said. “Not only is there a good balance of professional and novice players, but the entire club was open and friendly.”

Rausch said racquetball members traveled to compete in tournaments with U of I last semester and Purdue this past weekend.

The Eastern racquetball club is open to all skill levels and membership is free, Rausch said.

Despite easily starting up an RSO, Brinker said maintaining it is a difficult task.

“A lot of times RSOs will start up really well but will eventually fade,” Brinker said.

Student Life usually requires RSOs to start with at least 10 members, Brinker said, but has allowed some organizations to register if each executive board position is filled.

Before a RSO can register, members must find a willing faculty member to advise them and draft a constitution.

The student senate also approves all RSOs.

Once registered, RSOs retain their status for one academic year. The registration process must be completed annually.

Benefits RSOs receive include access to university facilities and rooms, the ability to sponsor activities on campus, a central mailbox and access to resources through the office of Student Life.

Jason Hardimon can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected].