Growing sport

Anyone who has visited the Wright State University Student Union in recent weeks has probably heard hollow popping sounds echoing from the basement. It’s the distinctive sound of pickleball.

The fastest growing sport in America, pickleball is now being played on-campus, with two pop-up courts available every Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. and every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union gymnasium.

“It’s fun, easy to learn and I feel like everyone can play it,” said Cody Moore, a junior majoring in middle childhood education who attended a Learn to Play Pickleball event on Nov. 10.

The event offered students a chance to quickly learn the rules of the game from semi-professional pickleball players Mohammad “Mass” Shalash, a graduate student studying computer science and engineering, and Kathy Durlak, a 1977 Wright State alumna who was excited to return to campus and teach students a lifelong sport.

“If they can get some exercise and learn a sport like pickleball while they’re students it’s good for them too because it will benefit them throughout their lifetime,” said Durlak.

Pickleball racquets and balls are available to students, faculty and staff at the Student Union Recreation Desk. More information about pickleball and Campus Recreation events and programs is available wright.edu/crec.