The University of Arizona is introducing the new Elite Team Sports classification, which elevates select club sports programs to more actively recruit students and coaching staff, strengthen fundraising efforts and foster stronger connections with alumni.

Overseen by Campus Recreation, the designation includes men's rugby, men's and women's wheelchair basketball and ice hockey. Each of the five teams will work together under the Elite Team Sports banner by combining resources and sharing best practices.

"I want to provide an opportunity for these elite student-athletes to compete at the highest level they possibly can, because they deserve the very best of what we have to offer at the University of Arizona," said Troy Vaughn, executive director of Campus Recreation. "Club teams have been a part of the U of A for decades, with long, successful histories and incredible support from their alumni. While our teams may not compete in the NCAA, this is a great opportunity to show alumni and the campus community just how important these teams are, and what they bring to the university."

If professional sports bodies such as the National Football League and the National Basketball Association are the premier leagues for a given sport, then intercollegiate athletics are the next tier down in terms of competition – followed by club teams and then intramural sports. 

By establishing Elite Team Sports, Vaughn said, the U of A is developing a highly competitive middle point between club and intercollegiate athletics that reflects the equally competitive nature of those select club teams.

"Each of these teams competes at the national level and creates a large buzz in the community," he said. "Our hockey teams are in one of the most competitive leagues outside of NCAA athletics, and our men's team recruit the same players as Division III schools. Our wheelchair basketball teams have both won national championships and will host the tournament next spring. Rugby plays against varsity teams like Army and Cal, and they are highly ranked. We need to do everything we can to ensure that we attract the best possible student-athlete."

While Vaughn manages the Elite Team Sports designation – and other club sports teams – the driving force behind adopting the new classification was Sean Duffy, director of rugby and head coach of the men's team.

Duffy said he was motivated to pursue the change to better support U of A club sports teams in the face of recent changes to college athletics.

"The Elite Sports Team designation not only highlights the achievements of our teams, but improves their long-term sustainability," Duffy said. "While wheelchair basketball, hockey and rugby are all played very differently, we face similar challenges and would greatly benefit by combining resources. There is a lot we could learn from each other."

With the new designation established, Duffy looks forward to strengthening community outreach through programs like high school sports camps and finding novel ways to develop student-athletes' skills.

"We all want to win, but we really want to create sustainable programs that focus on the success of our student-athletes, both on and off the field," Duffy said. "We want to put things in place so that 50 years from now, each of these programs thrive."