A year after its formation, the DGS Pickleball Club has quickly evolved from a small, student-led group into one of the school’s fastest-growing extracurricular activities. Fueled by national enthusiasm for the sport and support from the student activities office, the club has expanded its resources and visibility. Members now have access to a bus for trips to off-campus courts, allowing for more consistent and competitive play.
Senior Aaron Richards said he joined the club last year when it was created to try a new sport.
“I’ve always been interested in playing a sport, but I’ve always pushed the thought away because I thought it was too late to join something like that,” Richards said. “I do like individual and dual sports so I thought tennis or pickleball would be a good starting pick.”
Richards said the first semester last year drew strong attendance before participation declined in the spring, but the club’s relaunch this fall has seen greater student interest.
“From the first meeting alone, it seems there is more interest in the sport this year,” Richards said.
Pickleball Club sponsor and physical education teacher Jillian Karsa said she brought the club to DGS to give students a social, accessible way to stay active.
“I love the way that it incorporates competition in my adult years post playing competitive softball my entire life,” Karsa said. “It’s super social. I wanted to incorporate it in the high school setting because I’m very passionate about it personally, and I know what it’s done for myself.”
Karsa said the club meets weekly, typically on Mondays or Wednesdays, and attracts students with varying experience levels.
Richards said the sport’s appeal comes from its simplicity and inclusive nature.
“It is a friendly place to learn if you have no idea how to play or how the rules differ from tennis,” Richards said. “It’s more about learning the sport and competing with others who are also learning rather than being thrown onto a team.”
Pickleball is currently listed as an emerging sport by the Illinois High School Association, meaning it could become sanctioned in the future.
“The nice part about the game of pickleball is it’s on the emerging IHSA list,” Karsa said. “So I think it’s just a matter of time as the sport continues to grow.”
Richards said formal recognition could help expand the club’s opportunities in coming years.
“Now, pickleball is on a waitlist to potentially be approved in the next couple years by the IHSA to become an official high school sport,” Richards said. “It would open up many opportunities for current and future students to join this sport and compete against other schools.”
Karsa said she looks forward to developing the club and introducing more students to the sport.
“This is my first opportunity to start something here at South as far as extracurriculars go,” Karsa said. “I’m looking forward to sharing my passion with other students and to teach them the fastest growing sport in the United States.”
