One of the interesting and exhilarating clubs at Winthrop University is the Winthrop Skydiving Club on campus. The club focuses on teaching students to get out of their comfort zones and build confidence through skydiving. Skydiving is a sport where participants drop from high altitudes or a plane and parachute down after gliding through the air.
One of the surprising and interesting members of the organization is Winthrop Sociology Professor John P. Solomon, who acts as the faculty advisor to the organization. He has participated in some of the club’s activities for the past six years although the club was around before he started working at Winthrop.
“Winthrop had a skydiving club before I arrived on the scene. As a part-time faculty member and a licensed and active skydiver it seemed to be a natural ‘fit’ to assume the vacant faculty advisor role,” Solomon said.
The organization does try to recruit new members but doesn’t try to force students who aren’t interested in the sport.
“I think that skydiving has to be an individual’s decision. I never encourage someone to skydive. If they express an interest I will talk to them as long as they want,” Solomon said.
With the Skydiving Club at Winthrop Campus, Dr. Solomon regularly exercises and has the opportunity to have fun with the students at Winthrop outside of class.
“Skydiving helps me to constantly test myself. It also helps me to stay in reasonably decent shape for a 78 year old. I can also legally jump from airplanes and play in the sky and do all sorts of things that I could never do while on the ground,” Solomon said.
Along with physical training, skydiving is also a test of a person’s character. Through practice one can learn more about themselves and how they can conquer their fears.
“Skydiving is a mental sport as much as a physical sport. The constant testing helps the skydiver to address any number of emotions such as fear, anxiety, complacency and humility,” Solomon said.
The Skydiving Club actively works within the community service requirement like the other student organizations at Winthrop. They were awarded two times in the past three years and they strive to plan activities for incoming and returning students.
“Skydiving activities include camping at the Chester Drop Zone (Airport), doing a Tandem skydive for those who want to skydive, starting the process to obtain a license to skydive. A few students have gone on to become active skydivers,” Solomon said.
Winthrop’s Skydiving Club is focused on recruiting adventurous students as well as branching out to newer students for them to step out of their comfort zones and try new things.
“The skydiving community is comprised of individuals from all walks of life that meet on the common ground of an exciting sport. So it is a big part of my life because of the people,” Solomon said.
The area of sky-diving also allows students new or returning in the club to discuss more about the sport. Students can also find ways to participate in the sport and branch out to new students.
“It gives me a platform from which to talk about an exciting sport. Regardless of the person’s age, there appears to be a natural curiosity about skydiving. As an adjunct professor at Winthrop I am readily available to discuss skydiving,” Solomon said.
The Winthrop Skydiving Club meets on Wednesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can email the organization at eagleskydivers@winthrop.edu.
