Column: Sports clubs play hard on and off the field

One of Princeton University’s greatest qualities is its diversity of interests among the student body. Even though the majority of Tigers are bound to work on Wall Street, the range in areas of concentration while pursuing a black-and-orange degree truly is remarkable. This quality is mirrored in students’ leisure time — there are more clubs and teams on this campus than blondes in Pi Phi.

While I respect every athlete (and blonde) loyal to Old Nassau, several of those clubs and teams distinguish themselves as perhaps Princeton’s greatest social outlets. For students interested in a mildly unbalanced lifestyle of sports and spirits, club soccer, the ski team and the sailing team are your best bets for a good time.

First off, the Princeton sailing team is by far one of the wildest crowds behind FitzRandolph gate. For better or for worse, this team of dedicated shipmen is known both on and off the water. In addition to its killer performances at regattas, the sailing team is recognized for its unique and somewhat off-the-wall traditions. For example, the annual “pole swim” is an anticipated event following the conclusion of the fall sailing season — men from each class year sport secondhand dresses and swim around a pole in the chilly water.

Better yet, the team is known for its fantastically distasteful parties, the most recent of which was themed “fetishes.” But being a Princeton sailor is much more than just raging while wearing furry handcuffs. This team has rigid requirements. Members are required to attend practice twice a week, each lasting five hours, from 1:30 to 6:30. Once you put in the time, you can rage while wearing whatever you want.

The ski and sailing teams are similar in that they both value socializing nearly as much as their respective sports. Supposedly, the ski team practices and parties even harder than the sailing team, the latter due to the majority of skiers on the team being social and not competitive skiers. My theory is that, in the absence of an adequate slope nearby, the ski team drowns its sorrows in Keystone, reminiscent of the Colorado ski resort.

That being said, the team does organize several ski and snowboard trips every year. With practice requirements less rigid than the sailing team and parties that are equally outrageous, the ski team is any lazy student’s golden ticket to being an athlete.

Finally, club soccer. You’ve seen the bright orange tanks, and you’ve heard of the parties. The legend exists. This team of 50 All-Princeton athletes is famous for two reasons: throwing the biggest parties of first semester and throwing the biggest parties of second semester.

Eyewitnesses report seeing over 200 people at these parties.I’m not even positive that they play soccer.Unless you’ve got either a club soccer jacket or a personal invitation, you will never know for certain what happens. But you will hear the stories. The only downside to this team is the tryouts, which is understandable given the popularity of its gatherings.

There you have it, the “Big Three” of Princeton sports. I personally plan on becoming a triathlete, the world’s first combination skier, sailor and soccer player.