Mason Recreation celebrated the grand opening of its brand-new pickleball courts on Tuesday, July 18th. With learn-to-play sessions, drills, and open play, the Mason Nation prepared to perform practically perfect pickleball plays.
Invented in 1965, pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Using a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net, players volley a plastic ball with holes back and forth over the net using paddles. It's now one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.
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Relishing the moment. Philip Wilkerson (pictured above on the left), employer engagement consultant in University Career Services and MEd Counseling and Development ’12, brought his wife and mother-in-law to the grand opening. "It was so exciting to be a part of something new, something that's for the community. We'll be able to enjoy pickleball together as a family, and get outside and stay active."
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A sweet dill. "University Life and Mason Recreation made this innovative and strategic investment to cultivate engagement and to support Mason's university-wide commitment to faculty, staff, and student well-being," said Associate Vice President of University Life Pamela Patterson. "These state of the art pickleball courts create new opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and local community members to engage with one another due to the highly social nature of the sport."
"The Grand Opening of the Pickleball courts really highlighted how the sport can build community with participants at all skill levels," said Lewis E. Forrest, II, associate dean of University Life. "Having these courts on our campus will bring more people to the sport and greater engagement with Mason and Mason Recreation."
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Rise and brine. New players, skilled player, and every level in between had a chance to take to the courts and enjoy the game together. "I'd been interested in learning how to play pickleball for some time, so I jumped at the chance to learn the sport, connect with colleagues, and be a part of the opening celebration. The experience solidified my interest in the sport for both physical wellness and social connections," said attendee John Cicchetti, associate director for the Student Support and Advocacy Center.
Mason’s pickleball courts are behind the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC) on Fairfax Campus. Memberships are required for use—those with facility memberships are also eligible to utilize the pickle ball courts as part of their membership.
Learn more about the pickleball courts on the Mason Recreation website.
Photos by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding.