November 21, 2024

New Main Campus pickleball courts now provide Columbus State University students easy access to the country’s fastest-growing sport.

Adrian Peterson, president of the university’s Student Government Association, credits SGA Senator Gabrielle Holmes-Hodge with leading the charge for the new courts.

“University leadership received our recommendation with open arms and positive support,” Peterson said. “It’s one of many examples of our administrators being open to new ideas and assisting SGA with initiatives that benefit our students”

That interest could translate into students gathering to participate in an intramural sports league and competing in tournaments.

“Student interest in our new pickleball courts has been steadily growing since we put the ‘courts are coming’ signs out,” said Lashica Thomas, director of campus recreation. “We’re as excited as they are about opening the courts for play. Their availability of these courts will make a great addition to our campus recreation and sports programs.”

The courts may be new at Columbus State, but pickleball isn’t. Former Cougars tennis standout and current instructor Giorgia Vitale has taught pickleball as a credit-bearing physical education class for the past three years.

“Teaching pickleball has been a fantastic experience, watching the sport and my classes grow in popularity and seeing students of all skill levels enjoy playing," she said. “My classes are always fully booked during the fall and spring. I am confident that pickleball will soon become a college sport!"

Vitale said the permanent courts will greatly assist her teaching efforts. The new courts now give her and her students an outdoor alternative to the indoor temporary spaces they use in the Student Recreation Center.

“For one, it allows them to practice in a setting that mirrors how pickleball is usually played in tournaments or recreationally,” she explained. “The new outdoor courts will provide a permanent space to play in their free time. Plus, it is an opportunity to get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and socialize with classmates—especially in the spring and fall when the weather is perfect for outdoor play.”

As a former collegiate tennis player, Vitale found the transition to pickleball an easy one, but she said the sport easily serves players of all backgrounds.

“I have loved seeing how quickly others can pick up the game and how much fun they have, which is why I decided to start offering the course,” she said. “Pickleball uses a smaller court and does not require as much technical skill as tennis, making it an ideal sport for people of all ages and skill levels."

According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), pickleball is now a $2.1 billion industry in the United States, with annual equipment sales growing by more than 40%. More than 48.3 million Americans played pickleball at least once in 2023, with nearly 20% of those playing regularly. Between 2020 and 2023, the number of people playing pickleball has increased by 158%, leading communities to add roughly 130 new courts monthly. Eighteen- to 24-year-olds represent approximately 21.4% of new pickleball players—the fastest growth rate among any age demographic in college-aged players.

OTHER CSU FITNESS PROGRAMS

The university’s Student Recreation Center is the heart of Columbus State’s physical fitness offerings for students. The 106,000-square-foot facility provides students with access to an indoor track, weights, swimming pool and lazy river, group fitness classes, basketball courts and a rock wall. Membership and most recreation center classes and programs are free to students and included in their student fees.

“I really enjoy using the Student Recreation Center because of the sense of community it fosters,” explained Rosie Tates, a senior from nearby Harris County majoring in mathematics. “It’s an important part of my routine for staying active and de-stressing. Staying fit and active is extremely important to me because it has such a profound impact on both my physical and mental well-being.”

Preparing to cut the ribbon are (from left to right) Columbus State President Dr. Stuart Rayfield, Peterson, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Gina Sheeks, Student Government Association Senator Gabrielle Holmes-Hodge (who championed the new courts), Thomas, and Cody the Cougar.

Pickleball promises to expand the university’s intramural and club sports programs next. Intramural sports are great for students of any skill level and provide a great way to make friends, have fun and exercise. As many as 400 students each semester participate on an intramural sports team—ranging from outdoor options like soccer, flag football and softball to indoor sports like basketball, dodgeball and volleyball.

Club sports allow students to extend their playing time beyond high school or travel ball. Around 200 Columbus State students annually compete through the university’s 10 club sports teams and against other colleges and universities within their respective leagues. Its tackle football program is its most popular, and it fields a team each year with 50 to 70 players; most teams include up to 20 or so players each season.

Club teams are as selective as high school programs, requiring previous playing experience, tryouts and skills level tests. Club sports offerings vary yearly based on student interest and involvement. Coaches are volunteers—typically faculty, alumni or community members with previous college or semi-pro playing experience.  

Jaylen Gandy, a junior from Dallas, Georgia, majoring in kinesiology, calls Columbus State’s club basketball team “the perfect fit” for staying in the game after playing for his high school and on a travel team. His three years on the club team took him and his teammates to the 2023 NIRSA national playoffs, where they claimed the Men’s Intramural National Championship title after being teams from Georgia Southern, Sheridan College, Stockton University and Virginia Commonwealth.

“It was a very blessed and surreal moment,” Gandy recalled of the team winning the national title. “Since Columbus State is a smaller school compared to the others, we were seen as an underdog. That definitely put more drive and passion into us winning the NIRSA tournament.”

HOW THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS

Thomas envisions the university’s new pickleball courts being available to the community for individual use or in conjunction with community groups, especially those focused on sports generally or pickleball specifically. However, she cautions that, for now, court access will be limited to university students and employees via university ID. Opening them to the community will come after Thomas and the Campus Recreation team evaluate student and employee demand and usage patterns.

The new pickleball courts will be available to students and employees from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily via CSU ID access. Two of the six courts will be available for drop-in free play, and four may be reserved daily in one-hour increments through the university's Rec Express online portal.

Community members can continue to access the Main Campus tennis courts without appointments as they are available. The Student Recreation Center also offers community memberships starting at $22 a month. Membership provides access to the center’s workout facilities, aquatic center and group fitness classes. At an additional cost, members can access fitness assessments, personal training and other one-on-one services.

Visit the university’s website for more information about its campus recreation programs.

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Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu