The Club Sports program allows students to compete against skilled athletes from other colleges and universities. What distinguishes Stanford club sports from varsity teams is that club sports are student organized and represent a return to the player-oriented concept that characterized the beginning of organized sports in the United States.

With emphasis on student initiative, not only in competition and performance but also in team management, the club program provides participants the opportunity to shape their own experience to a much greater degree than any other program in the department.

There are more than 1,000 participants in one or more of the 19 club sports offered, which include: badminton, climbing wall, cricket, cycling, equestrian, ice hockey, judo, men’s lacrosse, equestrian polo, men’s and women’s rugby, running, skiing (Alpine and Nordic), squash, triathlon, taekwondo, table tennis and men’s and women’s Ultimate Frisbee.