Members of the USFSP Pickleball club, from left to right: Miah Bridges, Olive Smith, Autumn Johnson, Gene West
Photo courtesy of Autumn Johnson
By Mahika Kukday
For some college students, 9 p.m. is the time to retire to the library for the night, or to get some rest before an early class. For others, it’s time to put on sport shoes and head to pickleball practice.
Over 30 students grabbed a paddle at the Pickleball Club’s first practice on Sept. 10.
The new club has been tremendously popular at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg – and it’s only been a week since play began.
This semester, the new club holds practices on Tuesdays from 9 to 11 p.m., and Thursdays from 8 to 10 a.m.
According to the club’s founder and president, Giovanna “Gigi” Belisario, these hours help avoid conflicts with classes and other programming.
“After the very first practice, I had people come up to me and say how much they’re loving it,” Belisario said, who is a marketing major and USFSP senior. “Even if it was their first time, they’re meeting new people, bonding over not knowing how to keep score or learning how to play.”
With 8 years of competitive tennis experience, Belisario started the club to bring people together while staying active.
Photo courtesy of Giovanna Belisario
“[Pickleball] is not too extreme on the body or joints, that’s why a lot of older people play it,” she explained.
But the paddle game isn’t just for the elderly — according to USA Pickleball, the sport’s governing body, it remains the fastest growing sport in the United States with a 51.8% participation increase between 2022 and 2023.
Many USF St. Petersburg students picked it up over the summer and joined the club to keep their newfound passion going.
“My friend got me out one time and I was hooked, it’s a really fun, addictive sport,” said freshman finance major Jack Eddy. His pickleball journey began in his hometown of Jacksonville, back when he still thought “it was an old person sport.”
Eddy was desperately hoping there’d be a pickleball club when he arrived at Get On Board Day in the University Student Center on Aug. 27. Now, he helps fellow “picklers” with rules and technique while enjoying the game’s social aspect.
“I love the camaraderie on the sidelines,” Eddy said. “I’ve made quite a few friends [through the club].”
While the majority of club members are intermediate players like Eddy — with casual playing experience and general technique knowledge — beginners and advanced players are welcome too.
For the first hour of practice, one court is instructional and beginners are led through drills, taught the rules and given a chance to practice. Club leaders, like vice-president and senior finance major Nathan Steen, help lead these sessions.
The other court is competitive, for more experienced players to engage in fast-paced gameplay.
During the second hour of practice, both courts are dedicated to competitive play. Picklers of all levels are welcome to play, usually in doubles.
If they’re not playing on campus, Belisario and fellow pickleball enthusiasts also enjoy the services of various public parks near the university.
Health sciences major Miranda Mose and business management major Hannah Rancourt attended the Sep. 10 practice. The freshmen are first-time pickleball players, and they appreciated how quickly and effectively they were taught the basics.
“Everyone is so nice, it’s super fun meeting new people and trying something new,” Mose said. She is a freshman with a background in tennis, wrestling and roller derby.
Rancourt is a freshman, and also has sports experience. She is a former high-school track athlete and said she loves how competitive and energetic the club’s gameplay is.
Currently, club member play matches of seven points instead of the standard eleven, to allow more people a chance to participate.
The group has 48 members registered on BullsConnect and 118 people on the GroupMe chat.
With club funding, Belisario has purchased supplies like paddles, balls and sunscreen. She said they plan to buy more paddles, as well as mini nets so that play can continue on the sidelines.
To join the club, students can contact Belisario by email (gbelisario@usf.edu) or join the GroupMe.
