As winter fades and warmer weather returns, students across campus are heading outside to enjoy the increasingly warm Michigan spring.

“Generally, just being outside on a regular basis as much as possible is great,” said senior Oliver Bieser, a member of the running club and the Sigma Chi fraternity. “Sig always plays volleyball the first week when it’s warm enough to. It always feels like such a relief after a long winter.”

That sense of relief is felt across several clubs on campus, especially run and pickleball.

“Running club meets four days a week rain, snow, or shine, but we definitely see a lot more people out running as it gets nicer out,” Bieser said. “I’d guess that one in every three students runs with some regularity, which is an increase over the last few years for sure.”

Bieser said the change of seasons plays a major role in getting students to show up for runs, but the weather at Hillsdale is not ideal for the activity.

“Generally speaking, Hillsdale is not a good place for spring activities, just because winter seems to last for so long and nice weather is so irregular,” Bieser said. “But when it finally is warm out, people feel ready to take advantage, so you see just about all of campus outside.”

Outside of running club, Bieser enjoys many other spring campus activities. 

“I’ve only been to pickleball once, but I do enjoy a beach volleyball game, especially at the start of fall semester or during fool’s spring,” Bieser said. “There’s nothing quite like feeling like you’re on the beach when it’s February and 60 degrees out for some reason.”

Junior Alex Mooney is not a part of running club, but he said he runs for fun.

“Running is challenging during the colder months. Spring is especially difficult for that,” Mooney said. “When I stayed for summer session a few years ago, people were much more active outside because the weather is extremely nice then and people have more free time.”

Mooney said he also notices students taking advantage of the temperatures in more creative ways.

“I know lots of people enjoy just taking a walk around campus or visiting the arb. Statue golf is big, as well as chilling Baw Beese,” he said. “I think running is more popular than people usually give it credit for, but more people should probably do it.”

Coming off a semester spent in D.C., Mooney said he notices how the weather keeps people inside at Hillsdale.

“During WHIP, some of us would get up and do sprints at the park before getting ready for work, which was actually one of our favorite things to do when the weather permitted,” Mooney said. “I think that shows that Hillsdale students would do more outdoor activities – specifically running – if the weather and schedules permitted.”

Pickleball has also emerged as a major force in the campus recreation scene.

“Pickleball is an all-season sport,” junior Nathan Furness, president of the Pickleball Club, said. “Greatness doesn’t fit in a box, and as the greatest sport of all time, pickleball proves it can be played and enjoyed anytime, anywhere. That said, it can be difficult to play outdoors when it’s -10 outside.”

For Furness, spring is the turning point where the club really takes off. 

“Spring is a perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy nice weather for the first time after four months of arctic conditions,” he said. “Good weather is always better when you’re doing something. Pickleball just happens to be the perfect way to soak it in.”

The club itself has grown rapidly since its founding, according to Furness.

“Pickleball Club was founded nearly two years ago by myself and a few other students who fell in love with the sport and started playing constantly,” Furness said. “Over the last year of being an official club, we have grown into being one of the most popular clubs on campus, boasting the largest GroupMe on campus, and averaging 40 members present during good weather meetings in the fall.”

Looking ahead, the organization plans to expand further, Furness said.

“The club will be moving into becoming an official club sport and officially competing with other schools in the following year, while still keeping the recreational element of the club alive, to include all levels of players,” Furness said.

Furness attributes much of pickleball’s appeal to its accessibility and social atmosphere. 

“Pickleball appeals to everyone because of its low barrier to entry,” he said. “Because of that, it’s become just as much a social hub as it is a place to play. Imagine a club where the greatest sport in the world is played alongside one of the best environments to meet people and connect on campus.”

“If you’re not playing pickleball,” he said, “you’re missing out.”