During the first few weeks of this academic year, many students walking in the arcade may have noticed nets set up and students playing pickleball there throughout the day. That’s because this year, students were introduced to a new elective at our school: Racket Sports.

This class, available to all students, was introduced to the Marist curriculum as an optional PE course for the 2024-2025 school year. Over the course of term one, students participated in pickleball, badminton, and tennis matches nearly every day as they learned the rules and basics of the sports. However, it turned out that many students taking the course have had experience with these sports before, in particular with the game of pickleball. 

“I had played pickleball once before,” said Campbell Caldwell, a junior who is taking the elective. He added that his classmates had more experience in pickleball than any of the other sports, commenting that he thought that most, if not all, of his classmates had played pickleball in the past. “Me and two others had played badminton,” said Caldwell, “and only one has played tennis.” 

It is no surprise that many students have experience with pickleball; the sport has been a staple at Chanel Day for years, and the school has provided nets and paddles for students to play.

However, the sport as a whole has increased in popularity across the country, and our school community has definitely felt the effects of that. “We wanted to provide another PE elective opportunity for students that would tap into a larger interest in the sports being offered,” said Coach Chris Marshall, the instructor of the class. 

In addition to the fall, the Racket Sports elective will return for the third trimester. When that time comes, students can again enjoy the growing sport of pickleball at Marist.