Hope College, located in Holland, Michigan, has a long list of student clubs and organizations from fly fishing, to outdoor adventure clubs, and more. Over the past year, the newly added pickleball club has gained traction within the student body, boasting an average of 50 students showing up weekly to participate in practices. Club President Nate Jobson says, “We encourage students to join through campus advertisements, like putting meetings in the weekly campus emails or on the TVs around the school. We also use Instagram to post events, and those will often get put up on other campus accounts.”
The pickleball club partners with a local facility, the DeWitt Tennis Center, where they have access to twelve courts, all of which are typically occupied during the club’s meetings. In deciding when the club would meet, Jobson explained that weekends were the most favorable time slot to avoid conflicts with class schedules and other obligations during the week. Meetings are typically held on Saturday nights to cater to both the student lifestyle and also the busyness of the tennis center. The club hosts a wide range of members from students who just started playing pickleball to others who have played for years. “We get a good showing of tennis players [as well],” Jobson notes, attributing that to the tennis center playing host for the pickleball club.
Members of the Hope College pickleball club described the atmosphere as a place for “fun and friendly competition” as stated in an article written for the college paper earlier this year. Jobson claims that “unlike many clubs, we foster a more relaxed environment with open play. Our goal is to spread pickleball and make it available to everyone.” While competition is always welcome, it’s not what drives the club. Since there is such a diverse background in skill levels, Jobson notes that it is important to make everyone feel welcome, especially the players who might not have a lot of experience playing. The club’s success has seemingly stemmed from an emphasis on a fun and social experience for people of all skill types.
At the moment, they are looking for ways to engage with a broader community. Jobson notes that they are currently trying to collaborate with other colleges like Grand Valley State and Michigan State University, attempting to arrange matches and tournaments for club members interested in competitive play. One of the club’s main goals is consistently getting new students involved and excited about playing. Additionally, the team strives to make meetings engaging by hosting events such as “Anything but a Paddle”, where the players use objects other than paddles to play pickleball. For Jobson, it is important for the club to switch things up from the usual open-play structure for maximum engagement.
Emphasizing a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the club prioritizes fun and socialization over intense competition, fostering a welcoming environment for all skill levels. Students have been given an outlet to play, hang out, and take a break from the stress of school while building friendships and improving their skills. The pickleball club at Hope College continues to thrive as a vibrant and inclusive community for students passionate about the sport.
