By: Alivia Rhodes, Emilie Williams and Lilia Compton
The Governor’s Scholars Program has not only encouraged the interests of clubs but also the interest in different activities, such as pickleball, tennis, running, ping pong, foosball, card games, and weightlifting. Pickleball has been deemed one of the most popular activities with many scholars playing all the way to curfew. Scholars have spent time, spent money, and started relationships on the pickleball court.
Pickleball is a fun game but be careful of its expense!
When the clock strikes 9 and night perimeter begins, dozens of scholars rush past one another to try and claim a spot on the court. With only 6 open courts and 300+ scholars, the IM fields become a frenzy. Scholars bombard the fields and rest by the fences while waiting for a spot to open. Scholars who are looking for a fun night activity take to the courts to play the much loved sport of pickleball.
Pickleball, created in 1965 by a United States Congressman and Washington’s Lieutenant Governor, Joel Pritcher, is a racket or, more typically, paddle sport with two or four players. Players use a paddle to hit a perforated, plastic ball, and it is played indoors or outdoors. For these scholars, outdoors on the IM fields is the hot spot for all social and recreational activities, including pickleball. The sport commonly resembles tennis and table tennis, as it is played on a double badminton court, but pickleball has more unique scoring rules. After its introduction in 1965, the sport gained some traction in the Pacific Northwest, and soon shot up in popularity, and by 2024 an estimated 19.8 million players were participating in the sport.