Pickleball Social

Entry Details

The pickleball social was a collaborative event hosted at Blacksburg Country Club, designed to take our chapter's meeting beyond the classroom. By partnering with a local country club to use their pickleball courts, we created an opportunity for members to experience a club environment. This event combined hands-on pickleball instruction with social engagement, introducing participants to a popular activity in the club industry. The setting allowed members to connect and learn about the sport in a professional yet relaxed atmosphere. This event strengthened our relationship with a local club, and provided members with exposure to a club setting. By offering an interactive experience outside the classroom, this social reinforced the value of active participation in chapter activities. Members gained insight into a popular activity within the private club industry, broadening their understanding of what makes clubs appealing to members and how these activities are managed. This event also fostered a sense of teamwork among members, as they worked together on the court and shared the experience of learning a new skill.

Implementation

This idea was implemented by talking with our faculty advisor, who used to be the General Manager of Blacksburg Country Club. We were able to get assistance with securing the use of the courts for the social and the ability to use their pickleball equipment. Our executive board helped coordinate the logistics of scheduling, transportation, and the order the social would follow. The event began with an introduction to pickleball, led by experienced players and provided hands-on instruction. Afterward, attendees participated in casual games and were able to socialize between matches. The social was structured to accommodate players of all skill levels, ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone. Members enjoyed going off campus and experiencing a new environment. New players to the game of pickleball enjoyed the instruction and wanted to continue playing pickleball outside of our student chapter. This event fostered an atmosphere of learning and socializing with all the members of the chapter.