Last week in The Spectator, a volunteer reporter made A Case For Pickleball. Now, it’s time to take a look at pickle-play that’s been happening all year on campus.
Tucked in the back half of the Redhawk Activity Court (RAC), one would be excused if they didn’t notice pickleball competition happening amid the noise of basketballs bouncing and the chatter of friendly competition. But step behind the curtain and you’ll hear the sound pickleballers know so well. That sound? Dinking, of course. Close your eyes, and you can hear it.
Seattle University Recreation (UREC) has hosted quarterly intramural pickleball tournaments for years. Tori Somsanith, a third-year nursing major and competitive sports manager at UREC, couldn’t remember a time when it wasn’t a part of the school’s intramural offerings.
“I would say pickleball’s one of the most popular sports out of the ones we offer,” Somsanith said. “It’s usually one of the ones that have all the slots fill up pretty quickly because a lot of people enjoy playing.”
In the evening of May 19, students enrolled in the spring quarter pickleball intramurals filtered in and out over three rounds. Pairs of players swapped in and out across three courts, dinking off against one another. After every game, teams tapped paddles over the net to say “good game.” Like all intramurals, each game showcased that secret sauce of casual fun and friendly competition that makes these sports an enduring presence at universities everywhere.
But pickleball takes this further. To an uneducated viewer, it might seem nonsensical. But if the dozens of players are to be believed, the game isn’t only uncomplicated, it’s something anyone can start.
“I think a lot of people are into it just because it’s a pretty simple sport to pick up, anyone can play. You don’t have to have any prior experience, so I feel like it’s very welcoming for anyone to join,” Somsanith said.
Some students see it as a nice addition to intramural offerings alongside old standards like soccer and flag football. Owen Tanner, a third-year computer engineering major, started playing his first year at Seattle U with Brian Ortiz, a third-year chemical science major.
“We’ve been friends for a while, and we’ve been playing intramurals together, so we just said, ‘screw it, let’s play pickleball,’” Tanner said.
While they play every quarter in intramurals, Ortiz doesn’t let the summer stop his personal development of pickle prowess. Outside of the university, he’s playing with the age bracket that the sport is most known for in the mainstream.
“During the summer, when I go home, I just play at the YMCA with a whole bunch of random older people. They’re like, in their 50s and like, probably better than anyone here,” Ortiz said, gesturing around the courts. “It’s insane.”
Although a casual pursuit for the likes of Tanner and Ortiz, pickleball is life to others. Lucius Turkalj, a second-year business economics major, plays almost every day. This might be too much, he admitted.
His favorite place to play is at the school’s club, but he also engages in open play at the outdoor courts that have spread across the city like generative AI in a writing-heavy university course. Turkalj appreciates how Seattle U’s pickleball club offers a range of skill levels and a smorgasbord of players.
When asked about any pickle rivalries or proficient players, Ortiz mentioned another player named Bryan. This Bryan had already left, but his specter cast a long shadow over the fluorescently lit foam floors of the RAC. Ortiz said that last year, this shadowy figure won first place in the tournament…without a partner.
Ortiz wasn’t the only person on the court that day with a whisper of pickle boogieman Bryan. Bryan’s name echoes in the mind of Turkalj since this pickle savant snatched the gold from his clutches.
“We named our team Bryan’s Nightmare this year, to come back and take gold. I think we could do it this year. We got some new competitors that I haven’t seen before that might be a little challenging,” Turkalj said.
This quarter’s tournament will be held June 2. Whether Bryan, Turkalj or an unknown team will take gold is anyone’s guess.
Other teams choose names with personal pickle connections. Tanner and Ortiz, this quarter, are going by the name Pickle Rick.
“Rick turned into a pickle and he says, ‘I’m Pickle Rick,’” Tanner said.
Fun is waiting on the pickle courts. Paddles, balls and even nets can be checked out for free at UREC. Seattle U Pickleball Club meetings are free as well, taking place every Wednesday and Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the RAC. That leaves just one question… when will you take the pickle plunge?
