While scaling neon-studded climbing walls might not compare to the crags and clefts of the Yosemite Valley, it’s an experience that Samuel Crossley and Jacob Fuller, the co-founders of SF State’s rock climbing club, said they felt that other students should have the opportunity to embrace.
“Sam and I had been climbing together for a few years, and we had the idea for the club about a year and a half ago,” Fuller said. “I’m hoping to talk to my old boss at Planet Granite in the Presidio and work out some kind of discount for members over there.”
Access to a climbing gym would allow members to hone their bouldering skills before striking out onto nature’s unforgiving precipices, according to Fuller.
“Climbing in the gym is like practice for any other extreme sport,” Fuller said. “When you’re 200 feet above the tree line after the struggle to get up there, that’s what’s really exhilarating.”
Although Crossley and Fuller conceived the prospect of a climbing club and created a Facebook group in the summer of 2013, the two began the arduous process of becoming recognized by the University in September.
“If we get recognized, we will get a lot of exposure and some money from the school,” Fuller said. “We’ve been proceeding as if we were already an official club, so we’re waiting to hear back pretty soon.”
Rock climbing and judo will be SF State’s most recent additions to the list of 12 already instated club sports, which include rugby, men’s and women’s volleyball and ultimate frisbee, according to Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Ryan Fetzet. Fetzer said that no other new clubs applied this semester.
“Once both departments review and confirm that all information and documents submitted for approval are accurate, then they will become officially recognized student organizations on campus,” Fetzer said.
Every year, sports clubs must renew their registrations before the deadline at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, Fetzer said. This also gives new clubs a chance to register and become recognized as official clubs, according to Fetzer.
“We essentially hand-hold them mentally through the process and give them a chance to ask any random questions that come up,” said student services professional Lawrence Birello. “We want to make sure any new student organizations that get established can take advantage of what any old organizations have already done.”
Potential new clubs must set up their own bylaws and are required to send at least one of their members to a leadership symposium, according to Fetzer. The president and treasurer must also attend a student leader orientation at least once during their time at SF State. Sports clubs are organized and run by the students, so having financial and leadership skills are a necessity, he said.
