University Life and Mason Recreation celebrated the grand opening of Mason’s brand-new pickleball courts this summer. The kickoff event was a tremendous success, showcasing learn-to-play sessions, drills, open play, and a ribbon cutting ceremony to kick off the event.
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 is now one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.
“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, Dr. Pam Patterson. “These state-of-the-art pickleball courts are creating new opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and local community members to engage with one another due to the highly social nature of the sport.”
“I think particularly in the last two years, that popularity has increased dramatically across more age groups, including college students,” said Rose Pascarell, Vice President for University Life. “University Life’s core goal is to create an inclusive, thriving community, and pickleball can really be at the center of that because it is truly a sport that is open to all,” Pascarell said.
“One of the things we really encourage [for students] is interaction outside of the classroom. This is going to be a perfect opportunity for interactions to take place more organically,” said Paul Bazzano, Assistant Director of Competitive Sports & Athletic Training.
“We offer drop-in play on certain courts for more advanced players and courts assigned for a more beginner level, so folks play with others on their own skill level,” said Lee Ann Houston, Assistant Director of Facility Operations.
“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to transform our old tennis courts into these new and vibrant pickleball courts.” Patterson said.
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 pickleball courts as part of their membership.
Learn more about the pickleball courts on the Mason Recreation website: recreation.gmu.edu