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About the Team / FAQ
Interested in joining the team?
Current A&M students:
Come out to a practice and introduce yourself! Practice is Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday in G. Rollie White 161B. Click here for the complete 2009 – 2010 practice schedule. For information about the team and the sport, check out the links in the sidebar. Please contact us with any questions.
High school students or students at other universities:
For information about the team and the sport, check out the links in the sidebar. Please contact us and let us know you’re interested. We’ll be glad to answer your questions and give you information about the team and the university. Want to visit campus and meet the team? We’ll set it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I join the Texas A&M Powerlifting team? What are the requirements to join the team?
Can I get a scholarship?
Where and when does the team practice?
Will I have enough time to do well in both school and powerlifting?
In which federation does the team lift? What gear is allowed?
What supplements are approved for usage? Are steroids or other substances that alter hormone levels approved?
Does the organization cover expenses or provide gear for its members?
How much are club dues?
In how many meets does the team compete each year?
I’m a Blinn student–can I join the team?
How do I join the Texas A&M Powerlifting team? What are the requirements to join the team?
Everyone who is willing to be part of the team and to work hard is welcome. If you are a high school student, please email us and tell us a little bit about yourself. If you’d like to schedule a visit to A&M and meet the team, we’re always happy to meet new recruits! If you are an A&M student, either email us or just come out to a practice and introduce yourself. Come ready to work out if you’d like to get started right away.
Can I get a scholarship?
At this time, we are not offering scholarships. Typical of collegiate powerlifting programs, we support ourselves through various fundraisers throughout the year and we receive limited funding from Texas A&M. Powerlifting is not an NCAA sport so we do not have sufficient means to offer scholarships.
USA Powerlifting offers a small scholarship, around $1500, for which all students who compete at USAPL High School Nationals are eligible. Only one or two people have applied each year for the past several years, and the money has simply been split between the applicants. It’s not a lot, but it would buy your books. Click here to download the application form.
Where and when does the team practice?
Click here for practice information.
Will I have enough time to do well in both school and powerlifting?
Although this completely depends on how you manage your time, the answer is most likely yes. Many of our team members, including team officers, are involved in demanding fields of study and/or work one or more jobs.
In which federation does the team compete? What gear is allowed?
Texas A&M competes in the Collegiate division of USA Powerlifting (USAPL) with about 50 other universities from around the country. The USAPL is the American affiliate of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF). Lifting follows IPF rules, all meets are drug-tested, and IPF-approved gear is allowed. Basically, approved gear is single-ply poly, with 2.0m knee wraps.
What supplements are approved for usage? Are steroids or other substances that alter hormone levels approved?
The USAPL and IPF Powerlifting Federations in which Texas A&M competes have approved protein, creatine, and other supplements that are typically accepted for athletic competition. However, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited substances list, essentially any substance that alters hormone levels (including anabolic steroids) is not allowed. Click here for IPF anti-doping information. At all events in which Texas A&M competes, a MINIMUM of 10% of the lifters are randomly drug-tested. Record-setters are often tested in addition. Drug-testing is taken very seriously and a positive drug test nullifies any titles won or records set and also prompts a suspension from competition.
As above, though, supplements are allowed and Quest Nutrition products will never cause an athlete to test positive for any prohibited substance.
Does the organization cover expenses or provide gear for its members?
Typical of collegiate powerlifting programs, we support ourselves through various fundraisers throughout the year and we receive limited funding from Texas A&M. The team is therefore able to cover most, if not all, travel expenses for the various meets throughout the year. The team also provides knee wraps to all members for use in training and competition. If a member requires further financial assistance (for travel, gear, meet entry fees, etc.), the team is usually able to meet their needs. Additionally, the team will partially sponsor members competing for Team USA at the IPF World Championship.
How much are club dues?
As a sport club, the organization requires dues of $35 per semester from all members. As above, though, if a member requires financial assistance, dues may be waived.
In how many meets does the team compete each year?
Team members typically compete in three or four meets each year. The team competes in the Longhorn Open each November and Collegiate Nationals each April. Team members may compete at our own Aggie Invitational for an additional chance to qualify for Collegiate Nationals. Additionally, the Aggie women may elect to enter USAPL Women’s Nationals (February), while the men may enter USAPL Men’s Nationals (June). Winners of National meets earn a place on the roster of Team USA to represent America at the IPF World Championship.
I’m a Blinn student–can I join the team?
- Are you purely a Blinn student or are you a Blinn TEAM student?
- If you are purely a Blinn student, then you are not enrolled at A&M. You are neither eligible to practice with the Texas A&M team nor to compete for Texas A&M. However, we are usually in contact with several Blinn students at any time. Contact us and we’ll give you their contact info—you may be able to work out with them until you transfer to A&M.
- If you are a Blinn TEAM student, then you are enrolled at A&M. You are eligible to practice with the Texas A&M team but you are not eligible to compete for Texas A&M. Since Blinn TEAM students become A&M students, it is considered an investment for you to begin practicing with the A&M team as soon as possible, even though you will compete for Blinn.
