Exciting changes happened over Winter Break at MATC’s Downtown Campus. The gymnasium added two pickleball courts. What is pickleball and why did MATC decide to add it to their gym? If you’re new to pickleball and curious about the game, check out the breakdown below. Also, Assistant Athletic Director Tarvis Mrozek shares his thoughts on the new courts.
Facts about Pickleball
Pickleball began in the 1960s. The game combines tennis, ping-pong, and badminton; it’s played with a flat paddle similar to a ping-pong paddle. The ball is lightweight, made of plastic, and is larger than a tennis ball. Pickleball can be played in doubles or singles groups, as the game is easy-going and very welcoming to anyone no matter their age. Pickleball became one of the fastest-growing games during the 2020 pandemic and is widely popular nationwide. In 2020, 4.2 million people had played pickleball at least once in the U.S. Today, players ages 18-24 make up the largest percentage of the 48.3 million pickleball players, which is 28.8% nationwide.
Health Benefits
Research has shown that pickleball offers a wide range of health and wellness benefits. This enjoyable sport provides ways to stay physically active through cardio exercise, sharpening muscle memory, reaction time, and focus. The Department of Health recommends spending at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, and pickleball could be one of the ways you’d do that.
Professional Pickleball
The first National Pickleball Tournament was held in Tukwila, Washington in 1976. David Lester and Steve Paranto both won the men’s singles tournament. Many players who participated in the tournament were college tennis players who knew little about the sport. The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (APA) perpetuates the growth and development of pickleball at a national level. The first rulebook for the game was published in March of 1984. The game is played in all 50 states, demonstrating its popularity. In Major League Pickleball (MLP), the U.S. players compete against each other in co-ed teams of four players.
Playing Pickleball on Campus
MATC Athletic Director Randy Casey said, “in the future there will be open hours for the courts and other recreational options in the gym/fitness center area.” Currently, he said, “the logistics are still being worked out.”
Assistant Athletic Director Travis Mrozek says the pickleball lines were added over the break, “so the gym could stay closed while the paint dries and has time to cure.” He said, “It is set up more as a fun activity; we will not be adding it as a sport.” Also, Mrozek said it’s been a while since anything has been done to the gym floor. “I have been with the college for 17 years, and this is the first update to the playing surface during that time.”
