TCU’s First All-Campus Pickleball Tournament Unites Staff, Faculty, Students, and Alumni
TCU Hosts First All-Campus Pickleball Tournament, Bringing Staff, Faculty, Students, and Alumni Together
In a bid to foster a sense of community and camaraderie outside of the traditional office and classroom settings, Texas Christian University (TCU) recently hosted its first all-campus pickleball tournament. The event saw participation from staff, faculty, students, and alumni, with a total of nine teams competing for the top honors.
The tournament featured a diverse mix of participants, including two teams from the student pickleball club, three teams from an employee pickleball club, two teams from the Silver Frogs group, and two teams comprising students from the Burnett School of Medicine.
The brainchild behind the tournament, Tee Tyler, an associate professor of social work at TCU, saw pickleball as a unifying force that could bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. Tyler shared, “I played pickleball over Thanksgiving in 2022 and was inspired by how inclusive and accessible the game is. It’s something that can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and skill levels.”
What started as a small initiative quickly gained momentum, with Tyler receiving an overwhelming response from faculty and staff interested in forming an employee pickleball club. Within hours of launching a sign-up survey on Qualtrics, over 100 people had expressed their interest in joining the club.
The employee pickleball club now boasts 170 members, representing various departments and units across the campus. Tyler expressed his delight at seeing individuals from different areas, such as the Neeley School of Business, student affairs, and human resources, coming together to play and socialize.
Building on the success of the employee group, Tyler expanded the initiative to include members from the Silver Frogs group, medical school students, and the student pickleball club. The move has further strengthened the sense of community and connection among Horned Frogs from diverse backgrounds.
Reflecting on the impact of pickleball in fostering relationships and building community, Tyler remarked, “Not only is the game fun, but it’s also a great tool for bringing people together and forming lasting friendships.”
The tournament culminated in a thrilling competition, with the Burnett School of Medicine emerging as the champions. The winning team comprised AJ Khawaja and Mebeli Becerra, followed by the second-place team from the same school, Sean Canfield and Timur Seckin. The TCU Employee Club secured the third spot, with Cole Marchi and Sam Davis putting up a commendable performance.
Overall, the all-campus pickleball tournament at TCU proved to be a resounding success, showcasing the power of sports in uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds and fostering a strong sense of community among the university’s stakeholders.
