Jimmy Hernandez ’25 returns a serve during the pickleball game at the Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center during the Pickleball Tournament in October hosted by RHA and Campus Recreation. / Photo by Francis Tatum
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.
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’s Volleyball Head Coach, was there for the January clinic. "I loved the pickleball clinic!” he says. “Learning 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’s a special community."
“Events like the pickleball clinic are what makes Saint Mary’s a special community.”
– Rob Browning, Women's Volleyball Head Coach
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 ’25 is an active pickleball player. “Playing pickleball ball at the Rec has been a pleasant and thrilling experience,” he says. “It 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.“
“Playing 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.”
— Jose Miranda ’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 Instagram 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.