There are over 450 clubs recognized by Associated Students of the University of Arizona, ranging from degree-focused to niche interests. Here are a few clubs that cater to enthusiasts.
Chess Club
Enthusiasts of ancient abstract strategy games have the opportunity to join the University of Arizona’s own Chess Club.
They meet every week, challenging other members and occasionally holding lessons to expand their knowledge of the game. The club is open to members of all skill levels, from beginners to players with 2,100 ELO ratings. Colton Quirk, the club’s co-founder, has made the club welcoming to new players and often shares tips with blossoming grandmasters.
“My favorite part of being in the club is connecting with other people. It is incredibly fun, and I love being able to share my passion and knowledge with others,” Quirk said. “As long as you come in wanting to have fun and learn, the Chess Club is the place for you.”
The club also has online chess teams, managed by club officer Jason Leff, who is an ambassador for Chess.com. The teams compete on Saturdays against other university teams, including ASU.
“I think the group is initially a bit intimidating (which we need to work on) since it is a tight-knit group that has been together for three to four years,” Leff said. “But they are all great people, and I have a lot of fun playing chess and talking about random topics with them.”
Those interested in joining should check out the club’s official Instagram page.
“Pokémon GO” Club
Even the least Pokémon-savvy person probably remembers when thousands of people took to the streets, armed with their cell phones, attempting to catch invisible creatures. A decade later, the “Pokémon GO” app is still thriving, and the UA’s “Pokémon GO” Club brings together a community centered around pocket monsters, even boasting a Discord server with just under 700 members.
The club is open to students, faculty and anyone in the surrounding Tucson area.
“They give you physical goodies here when you check in,” club staff member Colin Rindlisbacher said. “But then you stay because it’s beneficial to play with people and also you make some friends along the way.”
According to Rindlisbacher, the club is a mix of hardcore “Pokémon GO” players intent on grinding out all of the game’s content and more casual players interested in the community.
“Pokémon GO’s” popularity has persisted since the app’s launch in 2016, thanks to continuous support from the game developer Niantic, which built a loyal player base. Regular updates, including special events, the release of rare shiny Pokémon — recolored variations of existing Pokémon — and the introduction of powerful new Pokémon, have kept the game fresh and engaging.
Coralee D’Agostino, president of the club and a community ambassador, mentioned how the club was officially partnered with Niantic, the former developers of “Pokémon GO” who recently sold the game to Scopely for $3.5 billion. The sale will have little effect on the community ambassador program or the club’s ability to distribute rewards.
This February, the game hosted the “Pokémon GO Tour: Unova”, a global event centered around Pokémon from the “Pokémon: Black & White” generation. When the tour passed through Los Angeles, 48,000 people gathered for the event. A member of UA’s own “Pokémon GO” Club, Logan Osuch, attended with a group of friends.
“It’s really just a casual kind of club, so you don’t really have to be here, there’s no commitments,” Osuch said. “If you like “Pokémon GO” and you want to get better at it, have better Pokémon, just join, you know.”
Those interested in joining should check out the club’s official Instagram page.
Theme Park Entertainment Group
The University of Arizona Theme Park Entertainment Group explores opportunities for themed entertainment around Tucson.
They meet every Wednesday to learn about specific aspects of themed entertainment, play games and collaborate on group projects to gain hands-on experience in design. The club also hosts after dark events, where members visit local attractions such as the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Reid Park Zoo and Funtasticks. According to club officer Icarus Newton, the club had the opportunity to explore behind the scenes at Universal Studios last January, where they got an inside look at the park’s “Mario Kart” attraction.
These trips connect back to club activities. During their visit to the Desert Museum, members brainstormed hypothetical expansions for the museum, such as theme park rides or an additional venue. For a current project, member Nathaniel Bidwell created a 3D model of a Gila monster-shaped ride car, allowing members to expand their knowledge of Autodesk Revit and build tangible portfolio pieces for their résumés.
“Being able to work on the projects or design discussions, it just lets my imagination run wild,” Bidwell said. “Being able to do that just distracts me from my homework, maybe things that could be stressing me out as well.”
A select group of six club members gets to test their skills at the Toronto Metropolitan Thrill Design Invitational, where they create design projects to present to Universal Creative. The club has also attended industry events such as the International Telemetry Conference in Las Vegas and the American Society for Testing and Materials Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.
“If you’re interested in getting into the themed entertainment industry in any capacity, this club is a really good stepping stone to get to know people and get internships,” Newton said.
Those interested in joining should check out the club’s official Instagram page and their interest form.
These clubs are just the tip of the iceberg. Are you a fan of Disney? Want to join a book club? Enjoy a night of gaming? Or learn pole dancing? There is a club for just about anything you can think of. On the off chance there isn’t one, ASUA provides steps to help you start your own student organization and continue expanding the University of Arizona’s community.
