The University of North Carolina’s Executive Branch is holding a “Pickleball Madness” tournament today, which hopes to promote the Student Health Action Coalition (SHAC).
It kicks off at noon at the South Campus Recreation Complex, an outdoor, multipurpose facility located across from the Dean E. Smith Center.
Torn Meniscus
Christopher Everett, the Undergraduate Student Body President, views this event as a chance to connect with the campus community, marking it as one of his final endeavors in his current role. He said, “I don’t want student government to be branded as just politics,”
Everett was keen to point out that he would definitely have participated if he hadn’t suffered a torn meniscus during a pickleball game in December.
Although the organizers had initially planned to impose a $15 registration fee per team to support SHAC, the team announced on Monday that logistical hurdles had led to the decision to make the event free for all participants.
Read more about our collegiate pickleball scene here.
An Integral Part Of UNC School Of Medicine
SHAC is an integral part of UNC’s School of Medicine. It offers an array of clinics and resources, including medical services, STI testing, dental care, gender-affirming support, and a syringe exchange program. Focusing on serving underserved communities, SHAC served over 1,000 patients in 2023, largely from the Triangle area.
“Everything [SHAC provides] is completely free for the underserved communities of, honestly, anywhere in North Carolina, but most of our patients come from the Triangle area,” said Ricardo Crespo, co-CEO of SHAC and fourth-year medical student, said.
Various sources, including the UNC Health Foundation and external donations, fund SHAC’s operations. Emily Kounlavong, SHAC’s co-CEO, highlighted the importance of community partnerships: “We want to partner with our community, and I think this event is a great way to do that.”
Welcome Participants Of All Levels
Everett’s admiration for SHAC dates back to 2022 when a visit to a free clinic in Carrboro caught his interest. Beyond fundraising, he envisions the tournament as a platform to boost SHAC’s visibility.
Pallavi Maladkar, a senior advisor to Everett, explained that pickleball was chosen because it is accessible and welcomes participants of all skill levels.
“Everyone is encouraged to come out and watch and have fun,”
UNC Club Pickleball members will officiate the 22 games, with limited equipment provided by Campus Recreation. Participants are encouraged to bring their own paddles, and all players will receive complimentary t-shirts. The top three teams will be awarded medals, with the champions receiving gift cards to The Purple Bowl.
A Significant Impact
The tournament format will feature a 25-pair single-elimination bracket.
Everett aims to make sure the tournament’s impact can be just as significant as a change in policy.
“In many ways, this event just encapsulates everything that I’ve been working to build as president this past year,” he said. “I want to create open, accessible, and friendly spaces where anyone can be invited and welcomed.
Colin Schick
A year ago, UNC medical school student Collin Shick made it all the way to the finals of the Professional Pickleball Association’s Florida Open where he was defeated by the world’s No. 1 ranked player, Ben Johns. Shick, 23, was only in his third tournament and came into the tournament as the 54th seed!
The UNC Pickleball team also won the Collegiate Title in Texas in 2022,
North Carolina is often featured in our news articles. Read more about its thriving pickleball scene here.
