If you're a sports buff like myself, then you'll fully understand me when I say that merely watching games only goes so far. As fun as it is to cheer on your favourite club on TV and chirp your friends' team loyalties, nothing brings more joy to the sports fanatic than actually playing the sport.

Fanshawe offers endless opportunity to get involved if you're a student athlete and want to be a part of a great sports environment. If you've been involved in competitive sports and think you can contribute on a high level, you should definitely consider trying out for one of the many Falcon varsity teams. Fanshawe competes in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association and has a team for almost every sport for both men and women.

Not everyone gets recruited straight out of high school to play varsity sports, but that doesn't mean your chance is over. Tryouts for many of the teams take place in the first few weeks (see the sidebar) for walk-on auditions. Mike Lindsay is the former manager of Athletics with the Athletics Department and said anybody can try out and make a team. “You have to be a full-time student in order to be eligible, that's the key factor,” he said. “We have open tryouts for anyone who wants to take a look at that competitive intercollegiate program that leads to a provincial and national championship. Even though we've recruited and we hand out scholarships, there's still an opportunity for the full-time student with a good competitive background to walk on and win a spot on the team.”

Now although many of us think we're destined for the big leagues, the harsh truth is not everybody is cut out for the pros, and for some of us, it's hard to swallow. Back in my days, I used to think that I was on the cusp of being signed by Manchester United and on my way to soccer superstardom. Obviously that didn't happen.

But if you find yourself at a place where you can't compete on a varsity team, not all hope is lost. The extramural league offers the chance to participate for many sports at a high level, and intramurals are a great way to stay active, meet new people and have fun.

“We run one of the top campus recreation programs, and we're proud of it,” said Lindsay. “That's the other option for a student that's not that competitive but wants to meet people and be active and use their leisure time while at college; the campus recreation and intramural programs is the place to look at.”

Intramural sports are offered in men, women and co-ed leagues, and run all year round with sports like basketball, hockey, football and volleyball in the fall, indoor soccer in the winter, and ball hockey in the summer. The Athletics Department also hosts open recreation time every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 p.m. to midnight starting on September 25, and pickup sports on a daily basis.

But sports at Fanshawe don't end there. “We also need to hire student employees to help us run such a large student athletic program,” said Lindsay, adding that the department is looking for students to work as referees, scorekeepers, time keepers and umpires.

“They're paid minimum wage on an hourly basis.” If you're interested in helping out, head over to J1034 and be a part of it.

It's pretty straightforward, so allow me to simplify this the easiest way I can, although my math is limited: Fanshawe + Sports + You = endless opportunity. Whether you're a competitive athlete or a casual player, or if you're just interested in helping out and making a some extra few bucks, Fanshawe Athletics is where it's at.

JOIN THE TEAM

If you're a competitive athlete and are interesting in joining a Falcon team, tryouts will be taking place throughout the month of September.

Tryout sessions for women's basketball will be held on September 6 and 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gym 1, September 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Gym 3, and September 11 bright and early from 6 to 8 a.m. in Gym 1.

Men's basketball tryouts will include trials on September 6 and 7 from 8 to 10 p.m. in Gym 1, September 10 from 6 to 8 a.m. in Gym 1, and September 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gym 1.

Badminton starts the second week of classes, with the first tryout taking place on September 11 from 8 to 11 p.m. in Gym 3, and September 13 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Gym 3 as well. Sessions will continue the following week on September 18 from 8 to 11 p.m. in Gym 3, and the last one will take place on the September 20 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Gym 3.

Women's volleyball tryouts take place on September 6 and 7 from 8 to 10 p.m. in Gym 2, September 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gym 1, September 10 from 8 to 10 p.m. in Gym 1, and the final trial on September 11 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The men's volleyball program will kick off its tryouts September 6 and 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gym 2, September 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gym 1, and September 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Gym 3.

For the golfers, a meet with the coach will take place in SC 2016 at 6 p.m. on September 5. Actual tryouts start on September 6 and 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Dorchester Golf Club in Dorchester and will end on September 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Forest City National Golf Club here in London.

For anyone interested in joining the curling team, tryouts begin a bit later on September 24, 25 and 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Highland Country Club.