Wheaton's club sports legacy began in 1980, when the ice hockey team transitioned from varsity status to the club level. With fewer practices than varsity sports and more competition than exists in on-campus intramurals, club sports attract up to 180 Wheaton students each year. There are currently nine active club sports at Wheaton: men and women’s crew, men and women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, men’s volleyball, cheerleading, taekwondo, and ice hockey. Athletic Director Julie Schmela Davis ’91 and Club Sport Director David Walford ’02 manage the student-athletes who participate in conference leagues and attempt to qualify for national championships.

“Leadership development opportunities exist particularly for club sport captains as they are responsible for fundraising, scheduling practices, and also any competitions,” Julie says. “I am enthusiastic about club sports as a place for students to experience community and teamwork.”

For ice hockey captain Isaac Melin ’16, serving as team captain has been a “formative experience” that allows him to “interact on and off the ice with athletes from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences.”

Alumni often remain plugged in to Wheaton’s club sports network as coaches and supporters, as with ice hockey coaches Erik Russo ’10, Matt Ference ’14, Chris Rice ’02, and Peter Hountras ’07. Wheaton faculty and staff also support from the sidelines. Clarence Edwards, a day custodian and athletics equip-ment manager known fondly around campus as “C-Train,” became adviser and general manager of the ice hockey team in 1984, titles he retains to this day. 

“The students and parents always ask me to come back,” Clarence says. “It’s a lot of work and a lot of responsibility, but it’s also a lot of fun. I feel that God put me in this position. It’s a blessing.”