Pickleball is a sport that originated in Bainbridge Island, Washington (near Seattle) in 1965. So how did it travel all the way here to the South over this long period of time?

Joel Pritchard, congressman from Washington State and Bill Bell, successful businessman, returned to Pritchard’s home after playing golf to find themselves bored with nothing to do. There was an old tennis court, but they could not find any tennis rackets worth playing with. So, they improvised by gathering ping pong paddles and a plastic ball with holes to begin playing on the court. As the businessmen continued to play, they remembered the purpose of this game, to provide a game that the whole family could play together.

During the spring of 1976 the first ever known pickleball tournament was held in Tukwila, WA. The players mostly consisted of collegiate tennis players who wanted to give it a try!

The United States Amateur Pickleball Association (U.S.A.P.A.) was organized to grow the popularity of the newfound sport at a national level in 1984. The first pickleball rule book was published in March of 1984. The first pickleball paddle was made by an Industrial Engineer, Arlen Paranto, made of fiberglass and nomex honeycomb panels that airlines use for their flooring and the airplane’s structural system.

By 1990 pickleball was being played in all 50 states of the United States, but it seems to just now be on the rise throughout the south. In 2022 pickleball was one of the hottest and most popular trends throughout the United States and has continued to increase in numbers in 2023 and 2024.

Recently in Oxford, Mississippi, the campus recreation facilities have renovated some tennis courts into pickleball courts where students can enjoy this sport on campus. After studying for a test, going to class, or just in downtime, it is a great way to see different members of the student body come together to play pickleball.

Head Rebels Football coach, Lane Kiffin, has also been spotted playing pickleball with the students on evenings and weekends. He plays in matches against students, which draws a lot of eyes to the courts as they face off. This is what it is all about isn't it? Coming together with friends and family to enjoy a sport together that is fun and brings each other closer.

By the end of the year, it is expected the pickleball courts will be completed at Mineral Springs Park for the community to give it a try.