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What is America’s fastest-growing sport? It’s not any of the “Big 4” sports of football, baseball, basketball, or hockey. It’s not sports that are popular here at Tufts like lacrosse or squash. It’s not even a global game that has begun to spread its roots stateside, like rugby or soccer. Nope, the fastest-growing sport in the United States is pickleball. A cross between tennis, ping-pong, and badminton, pickleball is one of the world’s most accessible, and, to be quite honest, most audibly annoying, sports. In light of its newfound popularity, it was only a matter of time before Tufts introduced pickleball as an intramural sport offering. Having played the game at home in New Jersey, I thought I’d take my talents to the big stage of the Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center in search of one of Tufts’ biggest prizes - an intramural champion t-shirt. 

In December, my friend Lucas and I signed up to compete in the Open Doubles division for intramural pickleball. I highly recommend signing up early, as there is often a very long waitlist! No experience is required and most players are new to the game. While some teams are more experienced than others, the environment is definitely a fun one, as opposed to cutthroat competition. Those who know the game well always patiently offer advice to new players. 

Games are played weekly on Tuesday nights between 9:00 and 10:30 pm (something you learn very quickly about college is that an acceptable time to hold a class or event is anywhere between 8:30 am and 11:00 pm). The center of the Gantcher Center, which is normally divided into tennis courts, is split in half, with one half being allocated to pickleball and the other, at least this year, to the club Spikeball team. Four courts are then created, with yellow rubber boundary markers delineating each one. Oftentimes, students who arrive early help to set up the nets and courts. Equipment is provided, though I prefer to bring my own paddle. Games are played to 11, win by two, and the first pairing to win two out of three games takes the contest. 

Last year, Lucas and I (team insert-catchy-name-here-that-we-failed-to-think-of) finished the regular season with one loss and made it all the way to the semifinals. This year, we are 3-1 in the regular season with one match left before the playoffs. 

While I have, thus far, not received a coveted intramural champion t-shirt, I have still thoroughly enjoyed my experience. The week can be a long haul. Monday through Thursday often blend together, with homework and classes seemingly piling up. Thus, hitting a plastic ball back and forth for 35 minutes, and listening to its annoying but somehow welcoming sound, offers a welcome retreat from reality. For a half-hour once a week, Lucas and I are not Jumbos who need to get to bed so we can wake up for our 9 AM classes, but rather John McEnroe and Andre Agassi (who apparently play pickleball now). 

So, as the regular season winds down and I gear up for the playoffs, I will cherish the remaining pickleball experience I have left this year. Soon, the snow will melt, the leaves will reappear, and the sun will shine brighter as spring nears. Though this will mean the end of the intramural season, at least there are always the outdoor courts. 

Photo Credit: Tufts Athletics