Kaila White

The Republic | azcentral.com

From outdoor adventurers and ballroom dancers to punk-music lovers and quidditch players (it's real), there's a club or organization for anyone at Arizona State University.

More than 1,000 active student organizations are constantly competing to attract the 80,000-plus students on ASU’s five campuses, and they run the spectrum.

Here are some of the most popular and active clubs at ASU, organized by interest.

A note: We omitted organizations aimed at specific majors and religions, which is not to say they aren’t noteworthy. For example, Sun Devils are Better Together is a popular, acclaimed interfaith group.

Outdoorsy types: ASU Outdoors Club

This club typically has at least 500 paying members each school year, club treasurer Angelo Maffei said. They host three to five outdoorsy activities each week, such as indoor rock climbing or hiking in Flagstaff, with an average of 12 to 20 attendees and larger groups for trips around fall and spring break.

“My personal take on the club is that for the small club fees ($25 per semester or $40 a year), you get access to thousands of dollars of free gear rentals, hundreds of trips, a ton of amazing friends and a whole lot more memories,” Maffei said. “It's legitimately one of the best decisions I've made since I started attending ASU."

Find it at Facebook.com/ASUOutdoorsClub or join the Facebook group.

Sports lovers: 942 Crew

Since 2013, a group of ASU students called the 942 Crew has set up a curtain, called the Curtain of Distraction, behind the basket in the student section of Wells Fargo Arena at every Sun Devil basketball game.

In the second half, when the opposing team is shooting free throws toward them, the students pull open the curtain to reveal a few seconds of surprising, scary and/or funny performances in a bid to distract players and make them miss shots.

It’s a well-loved group that’s as much fun as it is actually distracting. Find it at facebook.com/942Crew and twitter.com/942Crew.

Artists, alternative-music lovers, Casey Moore's barflies: The Underground Foundation

TUF was founded in 2010 “by students dedicated to solidifying an independent art and music scene," according to its website. The club hosts house shows, poetry slams, art shows, movie screenings and more.

Its members can be found around the downtown Tempe and Phoenix music scenes, particularly in the punk and hardcore circuits, which gives the club a sense of “notoriety.”

Find it at facebook.com/TUFASU.

Pretty much everyone: Intramural sports

At least 6,000 students participated in intramural sports in the 2014-2015 school year, according to ASU. Membership is $15 per semester or $25 a year and grants access to all intramural activities.

There are six levels of play, typically ranging from recreational to elite, and the most popular sports – those that typically get more than 200 teams – are basketball, football and outdoor soccer. Check it out at imleagues.com/asu and fitness.asu.edu/programs/intramurals.

Harry Potter fans: Dumbledore's Army and Sun Devil Quidditch

Dumbledore’s Army hosts both fantastical, Harry Potter-themed events as well as gatherings that require no knowledge of the fictional world. The club has won "outstanding undergraduate student organization" at ASU's Pitchfork Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement within the ASU community

As for Sun Devil Quidditch, teams of seven run with broomsticks between their legs and score with quaffles (volleyballs), hit others with bludgers (dodgeballs) and chase a human dressed as a snitch. Learn more at Facebook.com/asudumbledoresarmy, asuquidditch.com and Facebook.com/asuquidditch.

Anyone with a bicycle: ASU Cycling

All students, faculty and staff who love cycling are invited to this club, which welcomes road cyclists, mountain bikers, cyclocross riders, track riders and BMX riders of all skill levels, according to its website.

Learn more at asucycling.org or Facebook.com/ASUCyclingTeam.

Festival lovers and event planners: Programming and Activities Board

PAB is a huge organization that plans many of the coolest events on ASU campuses. Members plan live entertainment including concerts, comedians, open-mic nights and movie screenings. They also host game-day activities to engage students with Sun Devil Athletics.

Possibly the group's most popular role is with homecoming: It coordinates traditions like the Lantern Walk and the annual parade and finds homecoming royalty. Learn more at eoss.asu.edu/pab, Facebook.com/ASUPABTempe or Twitter.com/ASUPAB.

Aspiring athletes: ASU Ultimate Frisbee teams

Of the almost 40 sports clubs at ASU, Ultimate Frisbee is among the most accessible for those with little athletic experience. The large group travels and competes often.

Find the men's team at facebook.com/ASUPRIME and the women's at calienteultimate.com.

Dancers: Devil DanceSport or Hip-Hop Coalition

Devil DanceSport won a Pitchfork Award for Sun Devil sport club of the year for its outstanding social and competitive ballroom dancing. Learn more at Facebook.com/devil.dancesport or devildancesport.com.

Hip-Hop Coalition won that award in 2013 and is still going strong, with open dance classes and performance groups for all skill levels. Find the club at Facebook.com/HipHopCoalition.

Geeks and nerds: Plenty of options

There is a plethora of geeky options at ASU. Gamers might like the ASU eSports Association, which hosts free Super Smash Bros. Melee tournaments.

Sci-fi enthusiasts can share their love of fantasy in ASU Sci-Fan, and cosplayers can learn in workshops from the ASU Cos Club.