By: Savannah Halle
If you haven’t seen or heard, St. Norbert College installed two pickleball courts over the summer between Gries Field and the Michael’s apartments. Many students, including myself, have indulged in the luxury of these courts, and the rackets that come along with them in a bin on the side. While they get used by many students, the Pickleball Club uses them most often. Though it wasn’t their idea for them to be constructed, members of this club did meet with John Seckel during the planning process and worked with him to design the courts.
This club is currently in the hands of Gianna Carroll, a third-year Health and Human Performance major who is serving as Vice President. It was initially created to foster an environment where students could play pickleball together. Though this club has been around for a while, Gianna herself got involved through an SNC program called “Emerging Leaders.” She was assigned to create a tournament for the club during her time in this program, and has been a part of it ever since. Without being in the Honors Program, Gianna mentions that she never would’ve gotten involved with Emerging Leaders, and therefore this club.
The club currently hosts about 20-25 people every practice and drop-ins are always welcome! Students don’t typically stay for the entire hour, coming and going as they finish playing so others can have the opportunity to play. They “practice” from 6:00-7:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, meeting at the pickleball courts to start. With these large numbers, they run a specific system during club hours, rotating players in and out so everyone gets a chance to play. The club also provides paddles and a ball, so it’s an entirely free on-campus activity!
As Vice President, Gianna’s job consists of checking people into the events and cycling people on and off the courts. She’s also in charge of service events, promotions, and running their tournaments. Their next tournament is on the 27th, and she’s excited to see how it goes and what feedback they can get to improve future events.
For anyone debating attending an event or not, you have the Vice President’s full support! She offers solace that there is no commitment to attending a practice, but that instead you might find out you really like it! Gianna mentions that she hadn’t played often before this, and kindly digresses that she doesn’t believe she’s super great at it, but she has such a blast with all of her friends that it makes it all worth it. Many people of different skill levels attend every week, and to those who don’t know the rules, those in the club are happy and willing to be of assistance! Gianna’s favorite memory is their first tournament she was a part of, and she’s incredibly excited to make many more.
