Defensive lineman Elijah Lowden (99) breaks the huddle for the Ohio State club football team in a game against the Toledo Rockets in the 2025 season. Credit: Colin Kovinchick | Club Football Photographer.
Ohio State’s club football team is in pursuit of its third straight National Club Football Association title.?
Yet the club athletes’ time commitments goes far beyond striving for success on the football field.?
The team practices three days a week, with a fourth dedicated to film study. This is in addition to classwork, juggling jobs and other extracurriculars, while still trying to compete at a NCFA championship level on the gridiron.
Aidan Donovan, a fourth-year in finance, who plays tight end and nose tackle on the club team also plays club lacrosse, bartends and has duties as a member of the fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha.
Donovan described what he’s learned from handling all of those responsibilities while being on the club team.?
“Preparing me to time manage everything,” Donovan said.?
Donovan said being a member of the team is worth it, because of the group of friends he’s made through club football.
“I’m out here doing something I love every day with guys I love,” Donovan said.
Elijah Lowden, a fourth-year in finance who plays defensive end, felt the same about balancing school, work and football.
“At the end of the day, it’s time management,” Lowden said.?
Lowden serves as the club team’s treasurer and works part-time at a pet store while actively searching for internships.?
Lowden estimated the total time spent as a student-athlete to be in the ballpark of 20-25 hours per week.?
A habit of getting work done ahead of time is crucial to success on the club football team, he said.
“I’ve got to get my stuff done early,” he said. “Otherwise, I’m gonna run into issues.”
It’s not free to play club football, either.?
Club football head coach James Grega Jr. said the cost to play on the club football team varies from year-to-year, but for the 2026 season, each player must spend $375. This covers the cost of jerseys and out-of-state travel, which includes buses, vans and hotel stays.?
While the payments can be made in installments, Grega said it’s due in full by the start of the season. However, there is some financial aid. Each year, one standout athlete is selected for the Founders Scholarship, which covers the cost of that player for the season.?
Grega, as well, is no stranger to dealing with time management on the team.
In 2013, Grega started every game at quarterback. That season, he led the Buckeyes to a 6-4 record, tying the program record for wins at the time.?
Now, as head coach, Grega said he advises his players to budget their time wisely and establish a routine.?
Grega said the Ohio State club football team competes at a level that is comparable to an NCAA Division III program.?
“I think the thing that people often mistake with club football is people hear club football and they think it’s intramural,” he said. “We have the talent of a division three football program.”
The club team has started its season 3-0. The team traveled for its first two games of the season, defeating Michigan State 17-16 in Ithaca, Michigan on Sept. 20 and Pittsburgh 62-7 at the Pitt Sports Dome on Sept. 27. The Buckeyes played their first home game Oct. 4 and beat George Mason 52-6 at Lincoln Tower Park.
Lowden called the successful results “extremely fun to see.”?
Players vying for the five remaining spots on the active roster put in their best efforts during practice. Teammates actively encouraged each other, showing support on big plays.?
Despite having to manage his time as a club football player, Donovan reflected on being on the team the past three years.
“I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Donovan said.
