Women’s Basketball Joins the Sport Clubs Roster
Official status with Rec Sports brings structure, support, and ambition for the team
Joining 38 other recreational athletic organizations, Women’s Basketball recently became the newest official club with Texas A&M Rec Sports’ Sport Clubs program. After spending several seasons meeting the Sport Clubs criteria and applying to join, they were notified of their acceptance at the end of last semester, making this their first season with official status.
The team is currently led by club President Alexis Caddell ‘26, Vice President Reagan Harris ‘26, and Treasurer Sydney Ballard ‘26.
Tryouts were the first order of business for the newly minted Sport Club. They took place on Thursday, Aug. 29, and 13 players earned a spot.
“It’s very exciting,” Ballard said. “We already sent out the list of all of the girls that we want on the team. Next, we’re going to start having tournaments.”
Women’s basketball has competed at Baylor and Texas State in the past, and first up on this year’s schedule is a tournament at Texas Christian University on Oct. 19-20.
Before this, however, Women’s Basketball had to go through a rigorous application process to join the Rec Sports roster–no small feat for the Sport Club hopefuls. For previous club officers, this entailed two years of meeting established criteria before giving a presentation to the Sport Clubs Executive Committee in April.
“The application process was pretty tedious,” Caddell said. “[But now], we’re able to be a part of something bigger than just women’s club basketball.”
Now a part of the larger Sport Clubs program, the organization is adjusting to everything that comes with its new, official status. From Assumption of Risk (AOR) forms to managing facility use and equipment, the team is learning what it means to operate as an official sport club.
“We do have to go through so many procedures,” Caddell said. “But, in the long run, we’ll be able to budget more effectively for tournaments, fundraise and make money, and see how we can improve.”
Ballard, as treasurer, manages the team’s finances and benefits greatly from the support Sport Clubs provides.
“It’s really nice because we get help making hotel and car rentals,” she said. “[We] also have other opportunities. We just had a meeting about personal trainers for our team.”
Though the extra support was appreciated, it came with a learning curve. For example, the team wasn’t used to the time it takes to process AORs, which led to frustrations during their first few practices.
“That was our very first trial,” Ballard said. “We only had four or five girls that were actually able to play. That was super frustrating, but, [it was a] learning experience.”
This didn’t surprise the Sports Clubs’ professional staff, who were ready and willing to help Women’s Basketball through the transition. Ballard highlighted the aid they received when faced with these challenges.
“The first year is a learning experience for them, and we provide just that, with extra support if needed to help guide them through the journey and set them up for success,” Sport Clubs coordinator Kaylee Connolly said.
Connolly will meet regularly with the officers to ensure expectations are being met and that the club understands the resources available to help them succeed.
“I am looking forward to developing the leadership of the team – giving them insight and education so they may be able to grow their program, potentially gaining more awareness on campus to help them recruit members, and connecting them with similar clubs so they can create consistent opportunities for competition as well as financial success to ensure the longevity of their program,” Connolly said.
Connolly isn’t the only one excited about the collaboration.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to represent Rec Sports more and being able to go to our advisor and get advice,” Caddell said. “Being able to ask questions to someone that has knowledge of [Sport Clubs] and works with other people is going to be a whole new connection to so many opportunities.”
For Ballard, the excitement for her third year on the team is focused more on spending time with teammates.
“I am looking forward to getting to hang out with the girls,” Ballard said. “I recruited a few of the girls myself and I’m super close with them, and we have a couple new ones coming in.”
From building relationships with teammates to developing the program, Women’s Basketball is looking towards a very eventful season.
“We just have a lot more support,” Ballard said. “I’m ready to be able to build how we play together.”
The team, led by student coach Bennet Anglin ‘27, will compete in collegiate tournaments throughout the year. Be sure to look out for them at their regional and national competitions this spring. To keep up with their season, visit the Sport Clubs webpage or follow @tamuwcb on Instagram.
“It’s a great thing to bring forth this program for students,” Connolly said. “Women’s Basketball will be a great addition to the Sport Clubs program.”
