Pickleball is a popular hobby on campus and recently has its own club, less than two years after Hillsdale College’s Campus Rec hosted its first tournament dedicated to the sport.
Junior Joshua Mistry and sophomore Nathan Furness have started a pickleball club on campus, which was officially approved by the Student Federation two weeks ago.
“When Nathan and I got back from summer break, we talked to our friends and a lot of people were super interested in a pickleball club,” Mistry said. “We made a GroupMe, got about sixty people in it, and began playing two to three times a week.”
Mistry said that club pickleball aims to remove barriers to entry for students who are interested in pickleball, including removing financial concerns with the cost of equipment.
“We know there are students here who want to play,” Mistry said. “The biggest thing we hear is that they don’t have equipment, and they don’t have people to play with. So we provide both of those things.”
Club pickleball is hoping to host its first official tournament towards the end of the semester, as well as provide opportunities for parents and students to play pickleball during parents’ weekend this Fall.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that resembles tennis, where players hit small plastic balls across a low net. According to USA Pickleball, Joel Pritchard named the sport after pickle boats, which was a name for the slowest and least competitive boats in sailing competitions.
Senior Nathan Stanish said that he likes the ease of pickleball compared to other sports.
“Pickleball is discount tennis,” Stanish said. “It’s like what mini golf is to real golf. You can feel athletic and talented more easily because the game is played slower and on a smaller court. It’s the perfect sport for elderly people and unathletic young people.”
Freshman Noah Woo agreed and said even someone who has never played can start quite quickly.
“It’s a lot more accessible compared to other sports,” Woo said. “The barrier of entry is much lower. There’s not as much equipment or training required, and it’s a really simple concept. It’s pretty easy for people to pick up a racket and start playing, and even people who are less athletic can have fun with it.”
Woo plays pickleball frequently, both non-competitively and in Campus Rec Intramural tournaments. Woo said there are many reasons why people might enjoy playing pickleball on campus.
“I like to stay really active,” Woo said. “I played sports in high school, and I think this is just a low-commitment way of continuing those athletic endeavors. Playing pickleball through Campus Rec isn’t as high a commitment as, say, joining a club, but it’s enough to stay active and have fun with my friends.”
Campus Rec has hosted numerous pickleball competitions and tournaments in recent years, with high attendance. In response to student interest in pickleball, Pi Beta Phi is hosting its own pickleball tournament to raise money for philanthropy on Saturday, April 12.
“Pickleball is definitely growing in popularity on campus,” junior Rebekah George said. “I feel like it got really popular in general over this past summer, and a lot of people have brought it to campus this school year in particular.”
Mistry said that pickleball is a good way for Hillsdale students to fit athletics into their busy academic schedules.
“It’s just another opportunity for students to get out of the library and take a break from studying,” Mistry said. “We just want to provide a way for students to get outside, be active, and get rid of any barrier possible between them walking onto the court and playing.”
