Rotary Club’s First Pickleball Tournament: The Siloam Springs Rotary Club held its first-ever pickleball tournament on March 1, 2025, at the Walton Lifetime Health Complex at John Brown University. The event was organized as a fundraising initiative to support a scholarship program, using the growing popularity of pickleball to engage the community and raise funds for education.
Tournament Winners and Competition Highlights
The tournament featured mixed doubles matches, with awards presented to the top three teams:
- First Place: Sherri Rogers and Alan Hevener
- Second Place: Verleen Didier and Michael Rivera
- Third Place: Chloe Griffin and Ethan Wessman
The competition attracted enthusiastic participation, contributing to the event’s success in raising scholarship funds.
Pickleball as a Fundraising Tool
The Siloam Springs Rotary Club, which will celebrate its 102nd anniversary in October 2025, saw pickleball as a unique way to connect with the community while promoting education. The sport’s accessibility and widespread appeal made it an ideal choice for a fundraising event.
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, it has become an effective way for local organizations to raise funds and build community connections. The tournament at John Brown University serves as an example of how recreational sports can be leveraged to support educational and charitable causes.
Future Community Impact
Given the success of this first tournament, the Siloam Springs Rotary Club may consider hosting future pickleball events to further support its educational initiatives. The club’s commitment to service and education ensures that more students in the community will benefit from scholarship opportunities in the years to come.
News in Brief: Rotary Club’s First Pickleball Tournament
The Siloam Springs Rotary Club hosted its first pickleball tournament on March 1, 2025, at John Brown University to raise funds for a scholarship program. Mixed doubles teams competed, with Sherri Rogers and Alan Hevener winning first place. The event’s success highlights pickleball’s surging role in community fundraising.
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