Flying ping pong balls, jamming musicians, lively dancers and flashing swords do have something in common — BYUSA Clubs Night.
Students flock to the Wilkinson Center every Tuesday night to find their passion and place at BYU. At Clubs Night students participate in and find new hobbies. They enjoy refreshments and get punch cards to earn prizes for every eight times they come. Many of the clubs are free, but some require club dues. Each club is different, and students can find more information on the BYUSA clubs website.
BYU students can find clubs for any interest at Clubs NightAccording to BYUSA volunteer Nick Jensen, a sophomore from Cedar Hills, it is important for students to be involved and take a break from the stress of school.
“This is a great opportunity to get involved, meet new people and relax from homework,” Jensen said. “As students, we often don’t spend enough time doing stuff that we just enjoy.”
While only some of the clubs are highlighted below, Jensen said there are clubs for everyone.
Footlights
Footlights is a music writing and performing club that gives BYU musicians performing opportunities on and off campus. Tuesdays feature an open mic night, where anyone can come perform.
Mary Jackson, a junior from Travelers Rest, S.C., studying computer science, said she loves writing music and has been with Footlights since her freshman year.
“I found the club through the BYU clubs website,” Jackson said. “I got involved even before I got to Utah.”
The club also hosts song-writing workshops each semester. Club members often perform at other campus events and shows the club organizes.
Y Juggle
“Y Juggle” gives the amateur or seasoned juggler the opportunity to learn new skills and be a part of the juggling community. Sarah Wetzel, a senior from Tucson, Ariz., and president of Y Juggle, said the club is perfect for anyone at any skill level.
“It’s the perfect place to learn to juggle,” Wetzel said. “You don’t feel inferior because there are so many levels of ability and everyone is here to get better. We teach each other.”
Quark
Quark treasurer Ben Keley, a senior from Farmington, N.M., characterizes this club as the “all-around nerd club for all things science fiction and fantasy.” He said he loves the club because it gives him the chance to find and make friends who share his interests. Keley, who is studying English language, said the club also provides opportunities for its members to learn about science fiction and fantasy writing.
“The club has given me good opportunities to become a better writer,” he said. “We had author Brandon Sanderson come speak to us, which was great.”
The club meets Tuesdays to play board games and other nights during the week to watch and discuss science fiction and fantasy films.
Salsa Club
The salsa club provides a lively atmosphere where BYU students can learn new dance moves and meet new people. Carlie Hibbert, a junior from Pittsfield, Ill., studying international relations, said she joined the club to become part of the dancing tradition at BYU.
“I love to dance, so I thought I’d try salsa,” Hibbert said. “BYU is known for its dancing and its dancing clubs, and that’s something I wanted to be a part of.”
The salsa club meets in the Garden court each Tuesday and holds dance lessons and then sets its members loose to dance the night away.
These clubs are only a snapshot of the more-than 80 clubs on campus that made the journey from one student's interest to a community of friends. Students can create their own clubs for any reason as long as they follow the submission process. There is a place for everyone at BYU.