Kean University’s New Pickleball Club, created by Emily Lari in January 2024, is quickly becoming one of the most popular student organizations on campus. The club, which offers a fun and casual environment for students to learn and play pickleball, has attracted nearly 150 sign-ups.
The idea for the club came last fall during a pumpkin painting event hosted by another campus club. Lari, a freshman at the time, was inspired to start her club after discussing it with Makenzie Kuntz, the president of the Student Government Association (SGA).
“I sat with Makenzie [Kuntz], the president of SGA, about how to create a club. I told her I think it’ll be cool to have something on campus that’s popular but not everyone knows about it, and pickleball just came to mind.” – (Emily Lari)
Club Structure and Meetings
The club holds bi-weekly play meetings on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. in the D’Angola small gym. The meetings are casual and focus on teaching the fundamentals of pickleball.
Once members are familiar with the basics, they are encouraged to play friendly matches or engage in mini-games like “Queen of the Court.” Although the fundamentals are emphasized, the club’s primary goal is fun, not competition.
“Since pickleball is not in the NCAA, it is not a recognized sport. So, the only thing we could have done was to make it recreational. I said no to that because it’ll lose the purpose of a club.” – (Emily Lari)
Fundraising and Support
As a student club, the pickleball club relies on fundraisers to cover its expenses. To raise money, members organize bake sales and collaborate with other campus organizations, such as the Anime Society. These efforts have helped them purchase equipment, including rackets, balls, and nets.
Despite some leadership changes in the spring semester, the club has continued to grow in popularity. With the addition of new members, the club is now fully staffed and ready for the spring semester.
A Growing Campus Activity
The Kean Pickleball Club offers students a fun way to meet new people and stay active. New members are always welcome, and no sign-up is needed to join a meeting. The club’s relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere makes it an appealing option for anyone looking to try something new.
As the club continues to grow, it’s clear that it will remain a popular and welcoming activity for students at Kean University.
News in Brief: Kean University’s New Pickleball Club
Kean University’s Pickleball Club, founded by Emily Lari in January 2024, has grown rapidly, attracting nearly 150 members. The club meets bi-weekly, focusing on fun and learning the basics of pickleball. Fundraisers support equipment costs, and the club offers a non-competitive, social way for students to stay active and meet others.
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