BEN SIECK | Sports Editor
Butler is well on its way to adding another club sports team. Co-ed water polo will likely be the latest club opportunity for Butler students to take part in.
Freshman Liam Hansen is the club’s president and founder. The club has written a constitution, and Hansen said he anticipates it becoming a Butler-recognized club by early-February.
Hansen has played water polo most of his life and said his brother has been motivating him to start a club team in college.
“I played throughout high school, and when I found out that Butler didn’t have a club, my brother was starting one at his school, and that got me interested,” Hansen said. “It’s one of the sports that I can’t live without.”
The club consists of a four-person executive team. Right now, they are the only official members.
Freshman Molly McConnell serves as the club’s vice president. She said the club has not figured out how the tryout process will work, but added that she is confident there will be interest.
“There are a couple girls in my sorority that want to join, and there are people on campus that have expressed interest to me,” McConnell said.
Water polo is typically played with seven players in the pool at one time—six field players and one goaltender. McConnell said the club will pair up with Ball State’s club team for a tournament on Feb. 8 as the Butler squad grows its membership.
Team secretary Adam Bilski said the club is looking for experienced players but will accept anyone who is interested.
“If we can get experienced water polo players, that would be awesome, and it would make the club that much better,” Bilski said. “But we’re not going to be too picky because we know not many people pick that as their sport growing up.”
Bilski said he was a swimmer in high school and only played water polo recreationally. He said the club is another way to stay active and in the water.
Instead of having separate women and men’s teams, Hansen said he decided on a co-ed group because he found the co-ed environment more enjoyable in the past.
“When I played in high school we would always scrimmage with the girls, and it was a lot more fun,” Hansen said. “This way girls don’t just have to play against girls, they can play on guys if they prefer a rougher style of play.”
Hansen said the biggest hurdle the club faces this semester is getting the team off the ground, but team members have their eyes set on the future.
“Five years down the line, hopefully it keeps growing and people keep making the club better while branching out and making more connections with different universities,” Hansen said.
McConnell said the club hopes to be competitive, but having fun is the most important part.
“It’s not really that intense,” McConnell said. “It’s really more of just a fun way to relieve some of your stress and have fun while meeting new people.”
