The Growing Popularity of Pickleball at Babson College: A Look at the Sport’s Rise Among Students
The Rise of Pickleball at Babson College: A Growing Trend Among Students
Pickleball, the popular sport that has been taking Wellesley by storm, is now making its mark at Babson College. The Babson Pickleball Club, founded by Carmelo Carbone, is quickly gaining traction among students on campus.
Carbone, a senior at Babson College, has seen the club grow from a small group of 10-15 members to a whopping 125 members signed up. The club recently held its first open play event of the school year, with 40 students showing up to participate.
“I would describe the pickleball scene here as rapidly growing,” said Carbone. “More people are organically finding out about the sport and they want a place to play at Babson. My goal is to try and provide that for them.”
Carbone, a certified trainer with a wealth of experience in the sport, is dedicated to helping students learn the game. He provides his phone number to those interested in getting involved, offering guidance on rules, strategy, paddle recommendations, and basic motions.
Despite the growing interest in pickleball at Babson, Carbone faces challenges in securing court time. Like many communities grappling with the sport’s popularity, finding available court space can be a struggle. Carbone has been exploring options for indoor and outdoor facilities, including in Natick and at the Boston Pickle Club in Hyde Park.
“It’s tough to find time not because of faculty but other club sports using the space, events going on, and generally people just using the courts for basketball and other sports,” Carbone explained.
As he navigates these challenges, Carbone remains optimistic about the future of pickleball at Babson. He hopes to establish the club as an official organization at the college, paving the way for funding, equipment expansion, and ultimately, the growth of the sport to varsity level.
“This is my last year to make an impact and set the program on the right path,” Carbone shared. “Once it becomes official, we can get funding, get more equipment, expand the sport, and keep it growing until it becomes a varsity sport at the collegiate level.”
With pickleball’s popularity on the rise at Babson College, Carbone is determined to leave a lasting legacy for future students to enjoy.
