William and Mary’s Pickleball Club: In recent years, pickleball has emerged as the fastest-growing sport in America, eclipsing even traditional favorites like basketball and soccer. With a staggering growth rate of 51.8% from 2022 to 2023 and a remarkable 223.5% increase over the past four years, pickleball has captured the attention of a diverse range of participants. At the forefront of this surge is the College of William and Mary, where the newly established Pickleball Club is driving the sport’s expansion on campus.
Founding the Club: A Grassroots Effort
The College’s Pickleball Club was founded in the spring of 2024 by Ryan Blackburn ’26 and Ben Rakatansky ’26, driven by their shared enthusiasm for the sport and the absence of a recreational pickleball opportunity at the College.
“When I got to William and Mary, I was really bummed that there was no club or anything like that. So I had it in the back of my mind where I was like, ‘Man, we should start a club,’ and then I found Ben, and then we got to playing, and now we’ve just been playing together ever since.” – (Blackburn)
Accessible and Social: The Club’s Appeal
Both Blackburn and Rakatansky attribute the sport’s rapid growth to its accessible and forgiving nature. Rakatansky, who transitioned from competitive tennis to pickleball, appreciates the sport’s lower barrier to entry.
“People who have never played can’t just go pick up a tennis racket and play tennis, because the technicality required to perform those strokes is much harder for a beginner compared to pickleball.” – (Rakatansky)
This sentiment is echoed by Pickleball Club member Dipin Khati Ph.D. ‘26, who highlights the sport’s easy entry point and complex mastery.
“It’s very easy to get started and difficult to master.” – (Khati)
Building a Community Through Competition
The Pickleball Club fosters a sense of community not only within the College but also through inter-collegiate interactions. Rakatansky shared his experiences from tournaments, noting connections made with other university clubs.
“I played in a couple of tournaments over the summer, and there was one tournament where I actually met the former president of the UVA Pickleball Club.” – (Rakatansky)
For the upcoming fall 2024 semester, the club plans to offer two to three practices per week, catering to all casual and competitive players.
“Even if you’re not a competitive player and you’re just looking to play once a week or so, we’re open and we want everyone from all skill levels to come.” – (Rakatansky)
The Future of Pickleball at the College
The club’s efforts are indicative of the broader trend in pickleball’s growth, with local courts often bustling with players of all ages.
“I go down to my local courts and I’m playing with people who are literally 80 years old, and we’re laughing and having a good time.” – (Blackburn)
Rakatansky noted the increasing popularity and demand, with queues forming at busy courts.
“The amount of people who are playing pickleball, and the growth I’ve seen compared to a year or two ago, I don’t really see how it wouldn’t stop growing.” – (Rakatansky)
Ultimately, the College’s Pickleball Club aims to expand its community and encourage new participants to experience the sport’s appeal.
“This sport will surprise you. There’s a reason why it’s growing so quickly. We just want people to come out, and truly, we want to build a community around this sport.” – (Blackburn)
News in Brief: William and Mary’s Pickleball Club
Pickleball is rapidly growing in popularity, with the College of William and Mary embracing the trend through its new Pickleball Club, founded by Ryan Blackburn and Ben Rakatansky. The sport’s accessible nature and social aspects are drawing in participants, with the club planning regular practices for all skill levels.
The club’s connections with other university teams through tournaments are further expanding its reach. Local courts are seeing increased activity, reflecting pickleball’s broader growth. The club invites students to join and experience the sport’s community-building benefits.
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