Pickleball, a sport invented in 1965 by Joel Pritchard and friends using ping-pong paddles and a plastic ball, has grown significantly in popularity across North America. The first permanent court was built by Pritchard, and the sport gained momentum with its first tournament in 1976 and the formation of the United States Amateur Pickleball Association shortly after. Today, pickleball boasts over 70,000 participants and continues to expand, including internationally in countries like Canada.
Wright State University is joining this trend with the addition of a pickleball court in fall 2024 and plans to launch an official Club Pickleball Team by fall 2025. The university has already hosted events such as a charity Pink-Out Pickleball tournament, and the team is actively recruiting members of all skill levels. Interested students can find more information through the club’s Engage page or Instagram as the team prepares for its inaugural season.
