Bryan College’s Pickleball Team Success: Pickleball, a sport that was virtually unknown just a few years ago, has taken Bryan College by storm. Four years ago, few students had heard of or played the game. Today, however, the sport is thriving in Dayton, Tennessee, and Bryan College is leading the charge by establishing its pickleball team. The sport’s rapid rise at the school can be credited to the enthusiasm of the local community and the dedication of key figures on campus.
Pickleball’s Rapid Growth at Bryan College
Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, has embraced pickleball with open arms. The Dayton community quickly fell in love with the sport, and as a result, several pickleball courts were built to host competitive events every month. The local interest in the game provided a fertile ground for the sport to grow on campus.
Tracy Davidson, a 1996 graduate of Bryan College and a key figure in the school’s pickleball journey, has been a major driving force behind the sport’s success at the college. Having worked with the admissions office since 2019, Davidson became involved with pickleball in 2021, initially playing for exercise. However, after participating in her first tournament and losing, she became deeply motivated to study the game and improve her skills.
“I previously coached at Sherwood Christian Academy before coming to work at BC and am married to a very dedicated coach. So coaching is not only in my blood, but also part of our family DNA.” – (Davidson)
Establishing Bryan College’s Pickleball Program
In 2021, Bryan College made the decision to take pickleball seriously as a competitive sport by offering athletic scholarships for the school’s first pickleball team. Tracy Davidson, who was already familiar with coaching, was appointed as the team’s coach. However, there was one challenge: recruiting players.
Pickleball had not yet made its way into local high school sports, meaning there were no high school teams to recruit from. As a result, the team began its recruitment process through word of mouth, college fairs, and attending sponsored events. Despite the lack of established high school programs, Bryan College was determined to build a competitive team from the ground up.
The team was initially made up of a mix of Bryan College students, including Tyler Constance, Tim Wu, Ethan Pollack, Amber Zbyszinski, and Alayna Kerr. Their first recruit, Isaac Simpson from Cleveland, Tennessee, joined the team shortly after its formation.
Competitions and the College Regional Tournament
The Bryan College pickleball team has already participated in several tournaments, including the Dayton Classic, Fairfield Glade, and The Grateful Gobbler. However, the team’s next big challenge is the College Regional Tournament at Revolve in Cleveland, Tennessee.
This event will feature several other southeast colleges, including Clemson, Auburn, the University of Alabama Birmingham, and the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Though these teams are still in their early stages, the competition promises to be a showcase of talent and a crucial step in growing the sport on a collegiate level.
This tournament is an important milestone for Bryan College, not only because it gives the team a chance to compete at a higher level but also because it could lead to more recruits, scholarships, and funding for the program in the future.
Future of Bryan College Pickleball
The future of Bryan College’s pickleball program is looking bright, and Coach Tracy Davidson is excited about what lies ahead. She remains optimistic, despite the challenges the team faces in competing against more established programs.
“We view ourselves as David against many Goliaths, but we are excited for the opportunity and look forward to good results. The future of Bryan College Pickleball is bright.” – (Davidson)
The growing popularity of pickleball at Bryan College is not just about sports; it is about building a community and providing students with new opportunities. With a strong foundation already in place, Bryan College’s pickleball program has the potential to achieve great success in the years to come.
News in Brief: Bryan College’s Pickleball Team Success
Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, has made significant strides in establishing a competitive pickleball program, led by Coach Tracy Davidson. Despite challenges in recruiting players due to the lack of high school pickleball teams, the program is gaining traction and will soon compete in the College Regional Tournament. The future looks promising for Bryan’s pickleball team.
ALSO READ: First-Ever Kilgore College Pickleball Camp Could Be the Start of Young Stars in Texas!