Pickleball gains popularity at NGU
Jesus Arce, Staff Writer
When it comes to the world of tennis racquets, a new sport has emerged to grab the attention of the students here at North Greenville. Pickleball is a sport that emerged in the 1960s between three friends who shared a passion for entertaining their children.
This sport has made its way from Bainbridge Island, Washington to the mountains of Tigerville to stay with the students. In an interview with intramural Sports Manager Dru Riley, he explains why the sport has taken such a stronghold here in North Greenville.
“Pickleball is often mistaken for a derivative of tennis; the rules are very similar, but the only thing that changes is the lighthearted nature, and its physical demands are light,” said Riley.
This certainly demonstrates why this sport has such an impact on the lives of people on campus, as it does not require a lot of physical demand and fosters camaraderie among students. Because of this, the staff in charge has decided to create a tournament to create community among the students.
The staff decided to start this tournament with the intention of adding a new sport to the intramural program, though no one thought it would have such a significant impact. This decision led to the school breaking its record for the largest number of teams registered to an intramural sport in the history of the program.
“The intramural sports program decided to add this sport last year; it quickly became a hit among the students. We had 24 teams sign up for the tournament,” Riley said.
When Riley was asked about the impact of pickleball on campus, he noted first and foremost the inclusive nature of the sport. People of all ages and physical conditions bring it to places such as churches and meetings.
A second reason the current impact has been so profound is the fact that sport is a community builder. The university’s pickleball courts have become a social gathering place for many students who don’t just gather to play but also enjoy a great time and meet new people.
These courts have become a place to socialize and hang out with friends. The sense of community has become so strong that people often ask for a key to the university’s storage facility so they can play pickleball casually with their friends outside of organized tournaments.
Riley, as the on-campus tournament manager, encourages all students to try this wonderful sport. Whether it’s a way for people to stay physically active or just enjoy a hobby or pastime with friends.
Pickleball has not only found its place in the world of recreational sports here in North Greenville, but it has also created a community of fun and competition among students of all types.
As the sport continues to grow in popularity, it is very clear that pickleball has become a major factor in campus life here at NGU, bringing people together through the joy of the game.
Feature photo provided by Moriah Faulk.
