Throughout recent years, pickleball has become quite popular all over North America. Its popularity has spread into our own backyard; an official Club Pickball Team will be coming to Wright State University in the fall of 2025.
History of Pickleball
In 1965, Joel Pritchard and friends decided to play badminton after a long golf day, however they did not have the proper equipment. They decided to use ping-pong paddles and a plastic ball instead, thus inventing Pickleball. Following this, Pritchard constructed the first permanent pickleball court in his own backyard.
As the sport continued to grow, it also got lots of attention from the media, thus growing the sport further. In 1976, the first known pickleball tournament was held at South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, Washington.
Only a couple years after the tournament, the sport became so popular that the United States Amateur Pickleball Association was organized to promote the advancement of pickleball on the national level.
Since the creation of USAPA, pickleball has taken off throughout the entire country. Not only has the sport of pickleball grown in the US but it has become the trend in many other countries such as Canada.
According to USA Pickleball, “The first USAPA NAtional Tournament for players of all ages was held in Buckeye, Arizona, November, 2009. The tournament drew almost 400 players from 26 states and several Canadian Provinces.”
As of now, Pickleball has attracted over 70,000 participants, and is constantly growing in all ages.
Wright State University Pickleball
In fall of 2024, WSU's very own pickleball court came to Lot 4, thus bringing on the talk of a new Club Pickleball Team at WSU. The team is currently still in creation but will be official in fall of 2025.
There have also been a few different events hosted at the pickleball court, including a Pink-Out Pickleball tournament, where the proceeds went to the American Cancer Society.
While the Wright State Guardian was unable to get personal accounts from the current pickleball team members, it is safe to say that the team is excited to get things started this upcoming semester.
As the team builds and prepares for next school year, they continue to look for members who want a fun and inclusive team even if you do not have the experience. To find more information about the club, you can go to their Engage page or follow their Instagram, wsuclubpickleball.
Be on the lookout for updates on the club as the fall 2025 semester draws closer, and this summer, get outside and try your hand at pickleball!
