Pick-Up Sports at Tufts
If you’ve read a few of my blogs, you’ve at this point noticed that I’m quite the athlete. From being the fourth-string designated hitter on the 2024 NECBA champion Tufts University Club Baseball Team to being a two-time intramural pickleball semi-finalist, I’ve had my share of ESPN-worthy success on the field, the court, and beyond. Even as a world-class athlete, though, I still try to make time to play sports with “normies” around campus to sharpen my skills for the biggest games. So, here are some of my experiences playing pick-up sports at Tufts, so you know where to find me, and I can beat you in knockout.
The sport that I’ve played the most pick-up games in at Tufts is by far basketball. Many Saturdays, I’ve ventured to the intramural court at the Sports and Fitness Center to join in games ranging from half-court to full court, and one-on-one to five-on-five. Players of all skill levels frequent the court, which is located just to the left of the staircase on the building’s top floor. I’ve always found the games to be welcoming and inclusive, with frequent rotations and team swaps. No equipment is necessary, as there are usually balls floating around the court or available upon request at the gym’s welcome desk. Moreover, an entertaining cast of characters partakes in the pick-up contests, making for a competitive, jovial, and, oftentimes, humorous environment. Simply, the intramural court is a great place to meet others interested in sports and to get a good workout in without hitting the weights.
Additionally, the Sports and Fitness Center offers pick-up opportunities in a sport I had never heard of before matriculating to Tufts: squash. A fast-paced racquet sport played with paddles that look like smaller tennis racquets and a rubber ball, the sport is one of the few at Tufts with a varsity Division I team. As such, the Tufts Squash Center is a top-class facility, and is free to use by the student body when practices and games are not scheduled. You can reserve a court online and pick up equipment at the front desk. I’d highly recommend trying squash at least once during your time at Tufts. While it’s not the easiest game, it’s a fun new activity to try in a stellar space.
Another spot for pick-up games in a variety of sports is the South Tennis Courts. Located adjacent to Harleston Hall, the courts are fitted for basketball and tennis, featuring hoops, nets, and the necessary court boundaries. My friends and I have used the courts for spontaneous games of pickleball, commandeering the tennis outlines for our matches. The courts are bustling early in the fall semester, typically through October, and then again during April and May. It is often very windy there, however, so be prepared to battle the elements. Furthermore, you must bring your own equipment, as no Tufts Recreation staff are present.
A final locale for playing pick-up on campus is any grassy spot. Whether it be the Res Quad in front of Carmichael Hall, Fletcher Field, the Academic Quad, or Kraft Field, there is plenty of greenery on the Hill to satisfy your pick-up cravings. Spikeball battles, frisbee tosses, and games of catch, from football to baseball, dominate these locations when the weather is warm. The best conditions for pick-up football, two-hand touch, of course, around campus are snowy ones, though those have been few and far between during my time at Tufts. So, next time you and your friends have the afternoon off, head over to the nearest green spot and, in the words of Kevin Costner, have a catch.
Overall, even if you’re not on a varsity, club, or intramural team at Tufts, there are still plenty of options for playing team sports on a routine basis. You can meet new people, keep your competitive juices flowing, and get a workout in, anywhere from an indoor squash center to an outdoor basketball court. If anyone’s interested, I’m seeking out pickleball challengers.
Photo Credit: Mina Terzioglu, The Tufts Daily