Since she was six years old, Jada Manning, junior, has been playing pickleball with her family. 

“I thought by having a pickleball club at Marquette we could become closer as a community, because that’s what it did for my family,” Manning said.

During the Activities Fair earlier this month, more than 100 students signed up for the club and 30 students met to go over what the club will consist of during mod one of Ac Lab on Wednesday, Sept. 10. 

Manning said she was surprised so many people were interested in the club.

“Seeing all these people sign up made me realize that other people have the same passion for this sport, that makes me happy,” Manning said.

The club plans on meeting every other Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to play pickleball. Manning said they’re working on securing courts at Missouri Pickleball Club (MPC) on Manchester Road in Ellisville, but they need to raise money to book the courts first.

If the club were to play at MPC it would cost about $30 per member if the club were to have 50 members, the sponsor of Pickleball Club Rob Durham, language arts teacher, said. Due to this cost, Durham said he’s looking for other places to play like local gyms and public courts.

“Unfortunately, pickleball is not free to play at most places, and the parks are overcrowded with retired people,” Durham said.

Pickleball has helped Durham maintain his competitive spirit, and he hopes that students find the same joy that he has since he started playing eight years ago.

“No matter the level you’re playing at, it’s fun either way,” Durham said. “It’s really changed my life.”

After playing pickleball with his dad two years ago, Brendan Yn, senior, has turned the sport into a new hobby. 

During the summer, Yn played pickleball twice a week, and he continues to play once a week during the school year.

“Pickleball is a sport that’s easy and relaxing,” Yn said. “You don’t have to put in a lot of effort unlike tennis or football.”