Jason Cho ’27: From Outrage to Obsession – The Rise of the Cornell Pickleball Club
The Rise of Pickleball at Cornell: How a New Club is Making Waves in the Sport
Jason Cho ’27, a student at Cornell University, was initially outraged when the park where he used to play basketball removed two hoops to make room for a pickleball court. However, his frustration quickly turned into fascination as he discovered the game of pickleball and became obsessed with it.
Now, Cho is the president of the Cornell Pickleball Club, a club that has quickly risen to unexpected heights in its inaugural season. The club’s competitive team recently won its group at the 2025 Collegiate Pickleball Tour’s New Jersey Super Regional, earning an invitation to the 2025 Collegiate National Championship.
The club, which is still new and doesn’t have any alumni yet, has been working hard to raise money for their trips. Rachel Zhang ’27, the club’s programming manager, mentioned that their trip to regionals was made possible by staying at her family’s home in New Jersey. Now, they are gearing up for the upcoming nationals in Peachtree, Georgia, with Cho’s family in Atlanta offering their support.
The club not only focuses on competitive play but also aims to grow the game at Cornell by hosting weekly sessions for anyone interested in pickleball. These sessions regularly draw dozens of players, with as many as 200 people showing up to play.
Richard Li ’26, the club’s vice president, transferred to Cornell from the University of Virginia, where pickleball already had a strong presence. He has been instrumental in helping the club grow and succeed on a larger stage.
With the support of the Cornell community and local businesses like Pickleball Mania, the club has been able to thrive and make a name for itself in the world of collegiate pickleball. As they continue to represent Cornell at national competitions, the club members take pride in how far they have come and look forward to the future of pickleball at the university.
