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How to Start a Collegiate Club

Guidelines

I. Getting Started

  • Initial Team Members: Begin with a core group of 4–5 students who are interested in powerlifting and can serve as the club’s founding officers.
     
  • Write a Club Constitution: Draft a club constitution outlining your team’s mission, structure, and operations. You can reference some sample constitutions of previous teams below.
  • Sample 1
  • Sample 2
  • Sample 3
  • University Approval:
     
  • Contact the Director of Club Sports within your school’s Recreation Department to learn about specific requirements for starting a club.
     
  • If your school doesn’t have a club sports director, reach out to another administrator in the Recreation Department for guidance.

II. Team Operations

  • Team Practices: Decide on consistent practice times, dates, and locations.
     
  • Practice Venues: Options include the university’s rec center or off-campus gyms—choose what best meets your team’s needs.
     
  • Funding:
     
  • New clubs typically do not receive university funding in the first year.
     
  • Club Dues:
     
  • Collect membership dues each semester to help cover expenses and sustain operations.
     
  • Fundraising Ideas:
     
  • Sell team merchandise (e.g., shirts).
     
  • Volunteer or work at powerlifting meets or other sporting events to raise money.

III. Competing in Meets

  • Register Your Team: Sign up your club with USA Powerlifting (USAPL) to compete officially.
     
  • [USAPL Club Registration Link]
     
  • Find Meets: Check the [USAPL Calendar] for upcoming meets that fit your schedule.
     
  • USAPL Membership: Every competing member must have an active USAPL membership.
     
  • Meet Registration Tips:
     
  • Register early—some meets fill up before the deadline.
     
  • Even if a meet lacks a Collegiate division, members can still compete in the Teen, Junior, or Open divisions.
     
  • Recommended Experience: Aim to compete in Collegiate-only events to engage in team-based competition and connect with other university teams.
     

IV. Competing at USAPL Collegiate Nationals

To participate in USAPL Collegiate Nationals, members must:

  • Be in good academic standing with your university (e.g., meeting GPA requirements, no outstanding debts to the school).
     
  • Be a full-time student during the semester when Collegiate Nationals takes place.
     
  • Achieve the Qualifying Total (QT) for your respective weight class.
     
  • Find current QT standards here: [LINK]
     
  • Note: You can qualify at any USAPL-sanctioned meet, under any division (Collegiate, Junior, Teen, Open,etc).

V. Recruiting New Members

  • High School Outreach:
     
  • If your state has a high school powerlifting federation, attend local meets to introduce your club to young lifters and their families.
     
  • On-Campus Promotion:
     
  • Participate in student organization fairs.
     
  • Set up informational booths, distribute flyers, and post announcements around campus to raise awareness.