In November 2023, Drury University became a new home for the fastest-growing sport in the nation: Pickleball.

“We are the first ever varsity pickleball team,” said head coach Jarrod Smith. “That was my dream for us to be the first ones to do that.”

The 2024-25 school year marks the inaugural season of Drury’s co-ed pickleball team. As one of Drury’s non-NCAA sports, the varsity team receives a full-time head coach, operational budgets, and scholarship opportunities, according to a university press release. 

With around a decade of experience in the sport, including at the professional level, Smith understood the growth of pickleball well. When the pickleball community began considering where to expand next, Smith knew it was time to bring pickleball to the collegiate level. 

“We have such a wonderful athletic program at Drury that this is a great place for collegiate pickleball to start, right in the middle of the country,” Smith said.

Smith was joined in support by several members of the O’Reilly family in designing the Panther Pad, an outdoor recreation complex that holds six pickleball courts among other activities. “[The O’Reillys] agreed to make this dream come true and create this wonderful space in the middle of campus,” said Smith. “Part of my vision for this was not just to house the pickleball team, but to make this a student recreation center in the heart of our campus where life is.”

Having served as the head coach of Drury’s tennis program for the past 20 years, Smith felt ready for a new journey. “It’s kind of like those old cliches: ‘Do what you’re passionate about,’” he said. “I’m still very close with the tennis team. They’re like family to me, and now I’ve just created another family here.”

Family rests in the heart of Drury, and the pickleball team exemplifies that. Although each member of the team varies in background and experience, the team emphasizes connection both on and off the courts. 

“We’re just a big family, and that’s just the most exciting thing every time I come to practice,” said freshman Tammy Eliasova. “I’m just going home basically.”

As one of the most social sports, pickleball centers around community, inviting all ages and athletic ability levels to play together. Having played for nearly five years before joining Drury’s team, freshman Miko Patterson was already well-acquainted with the community aspect of the game. “I’ve never found any community base better than pickleball,” said Patterson. “I’ve played with 60 to 80-year-old players. We all had fun.”

Patterson has found not only a welcoming community at Drury, but fellow players and coaches that share his passion for the game. “If I can look up to someone and ask them questions, I don’t have to worry about if I’m doing something wrong.” 

Although the team is working hard with drills and conditioning, they make the experience worth it. “When I go to practice, I don’t really think about what we’re going to do, but that I’m going to be with my friends,” said Eliasova. “Practice never actually feels like practice. It’s just a fun time.”

Along with the Panther Pad, the Drury community is already showing its support for the new team. “There’s a lot of people that have told me they’re going to come watch our games,” said Beth Matas Martin, a graduate student on the team. “They’re really excited for what’s going to happen with this program.”

Having also played basketball for the Lady Panthers, Martin shares that the sense of community is central to athletics at Drury. “The Drury community is amazing,” she said. “All sports support each other.”

The pickleball season will be primarily in the fall, allowing athletes to participate in the spring tennis season as well. The team is currently preparing for competitive matches and tournaments that will expand as collegiate programs grow across the nation. 

“I think I should give myself a pat on the back, because I think I’ve brought in some tremendous not only players, but people,” said Smith. “Watching them grow on a day to day basis is very exciting for not only me but the whole coaching staff.”

Smith hopes to see Drury host its own pickleball events in the future as a way of further connecting pickleball with the supportive local community. 

“I reiterate this to the team all the time: None of this is possible without the Springfield community,” Smith said. “There are thousands of people in Southwest Missouri that play, and they are so supportive and excited for what Drury is doing.” 

The team will have its competitive debut at the 7th Annual Nick Hostler Memorial Pickleball Tournament, hosted Sept. 21-22, 2024 at Gillenwaters Tennis Complex. On Sept. 20, the Drury team will partner with Special Olympics athletes to open the tournament. Funds raised from the tournament will go to special needs organizations, including The Arc of the Ozarks.

Keep up with the team on Facebook “Drury University Pickleball” and Instagram @druryuniversitypickleball.