It’s been interesting recently to see how the attraction of pickleball is starting to expand beyond the classic 60-75 demographic into younger areas.
One of the biggest growth areas in the sport is at the collegiate level, with news of universities forming new clubs all the time.
In this article, we bring you news of the latest university to feature a thriving pickleball social group.
TCU Pickleball
The Texas Christian University Pickleball Club prides itself on fostering a welcoming atmosphere for novice and seasoned players.
With an impressive membership exceeding 1,000 on TCU Engage, the club extends an open invitation to students of all skill levels, offering leisure play or competitive matches.
At the helm of the TCU Pickleball Club is Lily Vandixhorn, a junior majoring in speech pathology.
“Come And Have Fun”
Vandixhorn encapsulates the club’s ethos: “The whole idea of this club is just to create an environment for people to just come hang out, play pickleball, and compete with each other. I want people to join the club to come and have fun.”
Vandixhorn’s sentiments are echoed by Ellison Norwood, a sophomore majoring in data science, who emphasizes pickleball’s unique sense of community.
While the club does engage in competitive play, it maintains a lighthearted spirit, as Norwood points out: “There are tough games, and you play against talented people in the club, but it’s always lighthearted.”
Exploding Membership
TCU’s pickleball club took on 160 members between its launch in the fall of 2021 and February 2022, which was impressive enough. However, the club has just exploded since then, with the membership hitting 1,000 and still growing.
Jack Vandixhorn, the club’s vice president and a finance major, reflects on this surge, remarking, “We just started playing more and more, and then we realized how many people here actually want to play.”
The sociability of the sport is a key draw, attracting members who range from avid players to those seeking a more social experience.
To support its activities, the TCU Pickleball Club has received generous contributions from sources such as the TCU Student Government Association and various pickleball companies, including a notable donation of over 70 paddles.
Gaining Traction
Jack Jacobson, a sophomore double majoring in finance and accounting, appreciates the club’s competitive edge, stating, “It’s fun to just get out here and compete like once or twice a week, just for fun.”
The club’s ethos is clear – it’s a place where you can hone skills or enjoy casual play.
Lily Vandixhorn underlines this: “Our vibe is to come and hang out. It doesn’t feel like practice.” The club aspires to further expand and aims to secure permanent pickleball courts at TCU.
Pickleball is gaining traction within the TCU community, and current club members wholeheartedly encourage fellow students to give it a try.
As Calvert emphasizes, “It is something you just have to do.”
How To Sign Up
Interested students can join through GroupMe or TCU Engage. For updates and announcements, the club’s Instagram account, @frog.pickle, serves as a reliable source.
Notably, it boasts the largest following among college pickleball accounts nationwide.
In summary, the TCU Pickleball Club offers college students an inviting and competitive environment.
Weekly sessions and tournaments punctuate the semester, with gatherings held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and Friday at 3 p.m. at the TCU Tennis Courts located behind Greek Village.
For further updates and announcements, text 847-840-6844 to join the GroupMe.
For inquiries, Lily Vandixhorn can be reached at [email protected].
About TCU
TCU is a private research university located in Fort Worth, Texas.
Established in 1873, it is affiliated with the Christian Church and spans 302 acres, approximately 10 miles from downtown Fort Worth.
The address is 2800 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76109.
