Pickleball at MSU’s Adaptive Sports Day: Michigan State University (MSU) is honoring October as Disability Pride Month by hosting an pickleball event aimed at promoting inclusivity and awareness among students. The Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders (CSD) collaborated with the Adaptive Sports and activities Club to organize Adaptive Sports Day on Saturday, October 5. This initiative shows the university’s commitment to encouraging an environment where all students, regardless of ability, can get involved in activities.
Pickleball Takes Center Stage
Building Connections Through Pickleball
Rebekah Batu, President of the Adaptive Sports Club and a senior studying political science pre-law, showed the importance of the event in connecting the gap between able-bodied and disabled students on campus.
“We want them to feel a chance to connect over this and it’s like they realize, ‘Oh, this is a ton of fun.’ They have something to bond over. It just gets them feeling like they’re more a part of something here at MSU and they’re also being more aware of the world around them.”-(rebekah batu)
As someone who is legally blind, the Adaptive Sports and Recreation Club holds special meaning for her.
Batu shared her personal experience with pickleball, stating:
“I was born with congenital characters and glaucoma, so I’m legally blind. Playing these sports is actually quite challenging for me, but it is always a ton of fun for me to play these sports and meet new people in the process.”-(rebekah batu)
Adapting Pickleball for All
During the event, participants used adaptive equipment to show their pickleball experience. The specially designed sports wheelchairs allowed pickleball players to navigate the court more effectively, showing how adaptive sports can make activities like pickleball available. The emphasis on adaptive techniques underscored the commitment to inclusivity, allowing everyone to enjoy the pickleball game.
Opportunities for Engagement in Adaptive Sports
The Adaptive Sports pickleball program at MSU continues to provide numerous opportunities for engagement, particularly in pickleball and other activities.
“We have a lot of different sports going on all the time,” Piotr Pasik
“We just started a wheelchair basketball team last year. Last year, we played against UofM and then St. Clair County Community College. We’re doing a halftime show at the Breslin during one of the women’s games. We’re doing stuff all the time, and I just really wish more disabled students knew about it because this is a great opportunity to just engage in a healthier lifestyle.”-(Piotr Pasik)
The Adaptive Sports and Recreation Club recently celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sept. 2. Over the years, the club has expanded significantly, creating a welcoming environment for disabled students.
“I was born with cerebral palsy, which is a neurological condition that affects my muscles and my balance.”
“Growing up, I really didn’t have access to sports opportunities or exercise opportunities. So, I wanted to do something about that. Now, disabled students on campus have access to those opportunities as well, just like our able-bodied students who are part of different sports clubs, get to travel all over the country or all over the world for competitions.”-(Piotr Pasik)
News in Brief: Pickleball at MSU’s Adaptive Sports Day
Participants were encouraged to try adaptive sports, helping students connect with one another. Club President Rebekah Batu emphasized the fun and bonding that pickleball offers, while instructor Piotr Pasik talked about the program’s growth and its mission to ensure equal access to sports for disabled students on campus.
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