By AJ Werner | Reporter
In 1965, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum were bored during a summer in Bainbridge Island, Wash. With nothing to do on the island, they decided to create a new game. After tinkering around with equipment and rules, the trio finally decided on the name: pickleball.
Almost 60 years later, pickleball has exploded onto the sports scene with fans of all ages picking up a paddle. That trend has made its way to Waco and onto Baylor’s campus. Tyler junior Austin Emery, the vice president of the Baylor Pickleball Club, said that the simplicity of the sport and the community it’s built have been key driving forces for its popularity for students and staff.