Dartmouth’s Thriving Intramural Pickleball Scene: In just its second year, intramural pickleball has rapidly emerged as the second most popular intramural activity at Dartmouth College. The distinctive sounds of squeaky shoes, the rhythmic clacking of paddles, and the occasional shout from players reverberate through the air, drawing the attention of anyone passing by the pickleball courts located behind Alumni Gym.
A National Craze
With over 50,000 courts across the United States, pickleball has captured the hearts of many. According to USA Pickleball, it was named the country’s fastest-growing sport for the third consecutive year in 2023. Dartmouth is certainly not immune to this pickleball craze.
The campus has a diverse range of players, from casual participants to those competing in more serious intramural leagues. For students looking to earn a physical education credit or simply wanting additional time on the court, the Physical Education Pickleball course offers an excellent opportunity.
Expanding Opportunities
Despite being a relatively new addition to campus life, intramural pickleball has seen impressive growth. Following the success of the first intramural pickleball tournament in the fall of 2023, J.B. Weber, the senior associate athletics director for regulatory affairs and recreation, recognized the demand and decided to create more playing opportunities.
This fall, three pickleball leagues have been scheduled, including a co-ed doubles league from September 15 to October 11, alongside men’s and women’s singles tournaments taking place from October 21 to October 25.
“Since we began pickleball programming, we have had 563 participants in our intramural pickleball leagues and tournaments, and 120 students take our introductory Physical Education Pickleball course. Pickleball is now second only to intramural ice hockey as the most popular intramural activity for Dartmouth students over the last 14 months.” – (J.B. Weber)
A Competitive Spirit
In the doubles league, the duo of Daniel Lustbader and Jack Jervis, members of the Class of 2026, emerged victorious.
“I feel great [about the victory]. Pickleball is such a great thing that Dartmouth has embraced, and I’ve gotten a lot of new friends through pickleball. I’m gonna play again in the winter with my same partner indoors and hopefully take it again.” – (Jack Jervis)
J.B. Weber attributes the sport’s growing popularity to its accessibility. According to him,
“General proficiency in pickleball is possible for the vast majority of players, resulting in a greater demand for the game.” – (J.B. Weber)
“You can get as intense or as tame as you want it to be, and there is just a wide variety of skill levels you can exhibit on the playing field.” – (Gabriel Martin, participant in doubles tournament)
For doubles tournament player Mia Harlan, the intensity adds to the excitement.
“I think my favorite part is just how serious people can take it. I think it definitely has a reputation of being more relaxed and for older people, or just for people chilling, but playing in a real pickleball game — it gets intense.” – (Mia Harlan)
Social Connections Beyond the Court
While competition thrives on the courts, the search for available playing space extends beyond them. Jack Jervis noted that with only four pickleball courts available on a first-come, first-served basis, finding an open spot can prove challenging, leading to long wait times.
However, the social aspect of the game is undeniable. Pickleball’s structure facilitates a rotation among teams, allowing players to face new opponents each session. This format fosters new connections and camaraderie among players.
“The team we played our most recent game — we lost two-zero, which was bad, but we kept playing after and we just did some rallies because we really liked playing them. They were good competition.” – (Mia Harlan)
Success Among Women
The intramural pickleball program has not only gained popularity among all students but has also seen notable success among women. J.B. Weber highlighted this trend, stating,
“We had a 44% increase in female participation last year in intramurals, and more than 50% of that gain came from women’s participation in intramural pickleball. Consistently, about a third of the intramural pickleball participants identify as female.” – (J.B. Weber)
Courts Open for All
For those who find the leagues too intense, there is no need to worry. The courts are open to all students outside of league hours, with rackets and balls available from the front desk of Alumni Gym. According to Heidi Bushway, director of recreation and wellness education operations, the outdoor courts will remain open until November 15, after which the nets will be taken down for winter.
Students will still have access to indoor courts located in West Gym during this time. J.B. Weber encourages students to seek out indoor opportunities, which include an indoor intramural league, the physical education class, and special pickleball nights.
Looking Ahead
The future of pickleball at Dartmouth looks promising. J.B. Weber is already considering the establishment of a club pickleball team to compete against other collegiate teams. While intramural teams remain local, club teams would compete against and travel to other institutions, heightening the competitive atmosphere.
“We are always looking to expand. I think a club team is the next step in the Dartmouth pickleball journey.” – (J.B. Weber)
News in Brief: Dartmouth’s Thriving Intramural Pickleball Scene
Intramural pickleball has quickly become Dartmouth College’s second most popular intramural activity in just two years. With over 563 participants and a variety of leagues and tournaments scheduled, the sport has captured the campus’s enthusiasm.
J.B. Weber, senior associate athletics director, noted a significant increase in female participation. Outdoor courts are open until November 15, offering opportunities for all students to engage with this rapidly growing sport.
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