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Pickleball Brings Our SMC Community Together

Campus Rec and Residence Hall Association team up for tournaments and clinics open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider community.

by Campus Recreation | January 20, 2024

Pickleball interest across the nation has been elevated through recreational opportunities for participants to be involved at different levels. At SMC, various programs dedicated time to this experience has provided our SMC community with an opportunity to connect while being active. 

In October, the Residential Hall Association (RHA), in collaboration with Campus Recreation, hosted a pickleball tournament for students. One clear request: more gameplay!

For the most part, the participants were fairly new to pickleball, and proper instruction was needed to further enhance the experience. Mariel Littorno, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation for Programs and Operations, brought in volunteer instructors Carl Littorno and Ricardo Netro from the Benicia Fire Department to help with teaching the fundamentals and rules of pickleball. The clinic was offered in January and attracted over 35 SMC students, staff, and affiliated community members. Affiliate members, such as SMC Alumni were able to join in by purchasing a recreation center membership to allow for access.

Rob Browning, Women鈥檚 Volleyball Head Coach, was there for the January clinic. "I loved the pickleball clinic!鈥 he says. 鈥淟earning the game and getting some practice playing in the beautiful rec center [was great], but I especially liked interacting with everyone who was there from different parts of campus. Events like the pickleball clinic are what make Saint Mary鈥檚 a special community."

鈥淓vents like the pickleball clinic are what makes Saint Mary鈥檚 a special community.鈥
鈥 Rob Browning, Women's Volleyball Head Coach

 

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Nick Cassman plays pickleball in the Alioto Recreation Center in October 2023
Eye on the ball: Nick Cassman 鈥24 rallies with his opponent. / Photo by Francis Tatem

Jan Term 2024 programming for Intramural Sports included a weekly pickleball match to give the clinic participants a chance to show their skills. Each week competing pairs faced off in the single gym at the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center. 

Jose Miranda 鈥25 is an active pickleball player. 鈥淧laying pickleball ball at the Rec has been a pleasant and thrilling experience,鈥 he says. 鈥淚t has been enjoyable to break a sweat while enjoying the presence of friends. It allows us to get together, compete competitively, and have a good time on the court.鈥

鈥淧laying pickleball ball at the Rec has been a pleasant and thrilling experience. It has been enjoyable to break a sweat while enjoying the presence of friends.鈥
鈥 Jose Miranda 鈥25

The Jan Term tournament series concludes on Wednesday, January 24, and the championship team will be crowned. Campus Recreation looks to continue the pickleball league for the spring semester and encourages anyone from our SMC community to join in. 

Be sure to check out our website and follow us on for up-to-date information and registration instructions.

 


EXPLORE MORE: Check out programs and services offered by Campus Recreation.

READ MORE:  Fall Intramural Playoffs Begin

For more information about Intramural Sports and pickleball leagues contact Mariel Littorno, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation for Programs and Operations.