Club sports are not the same as NCAA sports.
The university is drastically involved in the latter, and takes a backseat in the former. NCAA athletes spend time commitments equal to that of a full time job. Club athletes typically spend a few hours a week dedicated to their sport. NCAA teams have full time employees. Club sports are ran by the athletes and volunteers.
Comparing club sports to the NCAA is like comparing JV to varsity. But what if the club sport operates more like an NCAA sport?
Colorado State’s Division I ice hockey team is a club sport.