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Tag: Collegiate Pickleball

  • Sam Hutner: Leading the Charge in IU’s Pickleball Scene

    Sam Hutner: Leading the Charge in IU’s Pickleball Scene

    In a candid interview with Sam Hutner, the president and co-founder of Pickleball at IU, we explore his transition from tennis to leading a top-ranked pickleball team. His journey highlights the growth and community spirit of pickleball, a sport that thrives on inclusivity and fun.

    Tennis Roots in Pickleball Play

    Sam’s tennis background adds a unique flavor to his pickleball strategy, often bringing in baseline plays and powerful ground shots. These quirks, along with his teammates’ playful reminders, exemplify the friendly and adaptive nature of pickleball.

    A Vision for Community and Competition

    With advisor Timber Tucker, Sam is expanding IU’s pickleball reach. Their plan focuses on making pickleball accessible to all students, featuring larger play sessions, special events, and maintaining a strong competitive team. Their efforts have led to an impressive team of diverse talents, ready to showcase their skills at the upcoming National Championship.

    Looking Forward to Nationals

    The club’s evolution from a small group to a community of over 500 members is a source of pride for Sam. As they head to the National Championship, the team is grateful for the support from the Bloomington Pickleball Club and is excited to represent IU on the national stage.

    Sam Hutner and Mehvish Safdar, Bloomington Pickleball Club members, stand with their partners holding a Nationals Bid Winner banner and a $2,000 check at a Life Time Pickleball event. The group smiles in front of a branded backdrop on an indoor court.

    Interview with Sam Hutner

    Q: Can you share more about your journey from being a tennis player to becoming the president and co-founder of Pickleball at IU?
    “My buddies and I founded Pickleball at IU to find new people to play with. We had no real intentions of making it as big as it is today. However, it grew and grew. Through managing the club, we’ve gained valuable leadership experience that would have been hard to find elsewhere.

    We’ve also made so many awesome connections with both other students and members of the Bloomington community, like you all. Some of the closest relationships I’ve made in my three years at IU have been catalyzed by pickleball.”

    Q: How did your personal experience with pickleball shape the formation of the team?
    “I think the best quality about pickleball is its ability to connect people. It brought my high school friends and me closer together and has allowed me to create so many awesome new friendships with such a myriad of people. So, I naturally gravitated towards pursuing a team that embodies this.”

    Q: How are you and Timber Tucker planning to grow the program, especially with the development team of 32 players next semester?
    “We are pursuing a twofold approach to shape the future of IU pickleball.

    The ultimate goal is to provide a fun and convenient way to play pickleball. After all, the best part about pickleball is that it’s so low-barrier that anyone can play with anyone. To do this, we are working with both IU and other Bloomington leaders to get court space both on campus and indoors. The plan is to provide all students a weekly larger play session and multiple monthly special events like tournaments, networking nights, and social mixers. This will all start this January!

    Another goal is to have a strong competitive team. Currently, we fluctuate between the 8th and 9th overall rankings in the country. As of now, we are looking to create a team of around 32 students, ideally 16 men and 16 women. We currently have 9 on the team, including Mehv, Carter, Thea, and myself, along with the new members I shout out later. We will be practicing Monday and Wednesday nights from 8-10 PM throughout the semester at The Crimson Pickle.”

    Q: What are your thoughts on the upcoming National Championship, and how is the team preparing for it?
    “It’s surreal to think that three years ago the club had 20 people. Now, we have over 500 members and are sending a top-ten ranked team to nationals. Since I was a kid, I dreamed of being an IU athlete. It’s amazing to see how life plays out. I’m blessed to be in this situation.

    We’ve been having 2-3 weekly practices in preparation for the championship. We added some awesome new players—shoutout to Connor, David, Jaden, Merin, and Michael. We’re excited to see how it all goes down.

    Thank you to all the members of the Bloomington Pickleball Club who’ve been cheering us on. It really means the world to the whole team and me. We hope to make you proud this weekend!”

    A live pickleball match featuring IU Pickleball team members Carter and Sam. Carter, in a red and white striped shirt, prepares to return a serve while Sam stands ready at the net. The match is held in an indoor facility with green and blue courts and spectators in the background.

    Good Luck, Hoosiers!

    Watch the team play live:
    DUPR Pickleball National Championships pool play begins Friday, 11/17.

    Stream Live from The Crimson Pickle YouTube Channel:
    https://www.youtube.com/@TheCrimsonPickle/streams

    Friday Matches:

    • 10:00 AM: IU vs. Auburn
    • 1:00 PM: IU vs. Georgia
    • 4:00 PM: IU vs. Florida

    Saturday Matches:

    • 8:00 AM: IU vs. Mississippi State
    • 11:00 AM: IU vs. Utah Valley
  • From Tennis Star to Pickleball Pro: An Interview with Mehvish Safdar

    From Tennis Star to Pickleball Pro: An Interview with Mehvish Safdar

    In our previous article, “BPC & IU Pickleball: The Journey Towards Building a Championship Team“ we had the pleasure of introducing you to the dynamic world of Pickleball through two exclusive interviews from the Bloomington Pickleball Club (BPC). The interviews feature Carter Wittendorf, a nationally-ranked player, and Timber Tucker, the chair of the competition and training committee at BPC. They delve into the team’s journey to the National Championship, the balance between academics and sports, team dynamics, and the future of Pickleball at IU.

    Today, we continue the conversation with our third interview featuring the accomplished Mehvish Safdar – A 27-year-old Pakistani-American, Mehvish hails from Cincinnati, Ohio, but now calls Bloomington, Indiana home.

    Mehvish Safdar, a Bloomington Pickleball Club member and professional pickleball player, smiling and waving at a social event while holding a plate of food. Other attendees serve themselves from a buffet table in the background.

    With an impressive background in tennis, she has smoothly transitioned into the sport of pickleball. As a former 3x Ohio state tennis champion (2x singles, 1x doubles), a top 20 nationally ranked junior tennis player, a 5-star college tennis recruit, and a nationally ranked college doubles player on a nationally ranked college team, Mehvish has always been a fierce competitor. She played DI tennis for the University of Minnesota, demonstrating her commitment and skill on the court.

    We hope these interviews provide you with a deeper understanding of the sport and the dedication, hard work, and camaraderie that goes into building a successful team.

    Enjoy reading!

    Best,
    Dave Martin

    CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL?

    Mehvish Safdar, a professional pickleball player, mid-swing on the court during a competitive match. She is wearing a rust-colored tank top and black leggings, with a determined expression. The backdrop features branding from a professional pickleball tour.

    My name is Mehvish Safdar – I am a 27-year-old Pakistani-American female, from Cincinnati, Ohio but currently residing in Bloomington, Indiana, and I am a tennis player turned pickleball player! I was a former 3x Ohio state tennis champion (2x singles, 1x doubles), top 20 nationally ranked junior tennis player, 5-star college tennis recruit, and a nationally ranked college doubles player on a nationally ranked college team, having played DI tennis for the University of Minnesota. I am now a 5.0+ pickleball player and a member of the Indiana University Pickleball Club Team which recently won the DUPR Michigan collegiate regional tournament! I am also currently a Ph.D. student at Indiana University aspiring to be a sport psychologist, dedicated to helping athletes improve their athletic performance and overall well-being through providing mental health and mental performance services.

    Mehvish Safdar, professional pickleball player, focused during a match as she prepares to hit a low shot with her paddle. She is wearing a blue sleeveless top and black shorts, with a wristband on her right hand. The match takes place on an outdoor court with a green and blue surface.

    HOW WAS THE TRANSITION FROM TENNIS TO PICKLEBALL?

    I think my competitive tennis background helped me become a “good” pickleball player quickly, but I soon realized that a competitive tennis background is not enough to be a “great” pickleball player. I am unlearning certain tennis tendencies that actually hurt my pickleball game, while learning the unique technical and tactical skills required for pickleball, in hopes of going from being a good player to a great player. I think the mental skills I developed from playing competitive tennis, which are also necessary in competitive pickleball, have helped me most with my transition from competitive tennis to competitive pickleball!

    HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE IU PICKLEBALL CLUB TEAM BEEN?

    Being on the IU Pickleball Club Team has been such a fulfilling experience thus far, which can be largely attributed to the strong team chemistry, the exciting team format, and the honor that comes with representing the university. We not only have great players and a great coach on our team, but great people, who make it an enjoyable time on and off the court. Also, getting to practice and play mixed doubles, gender doubles, and singles creates an unbeatable practice and competition experience. Lastly, I am grateful to represent another Big Ten school that has provided me with opportunities for personal and professional growth.  

    WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU IN PICKLEBALL?

    I foresee a lot of pickleball in my future! I plan to continue to play on the IU Pickleball Club Team, along with playing PPA and APP events. I am looking forward to our IU Pickleball Club Team playing at the collegiate national championships in Atlanta, Georgia November 17-19th, as well as at the APP collegiate championships in Westfield, Indiana January 4-7.

    Mehvish Safdar, professional pickleball player, and her sister Komal Safdar sitting in director chairs at a pickleball event. The backdrop features a green wall with the Pickleball logo, and food trucks are visible in the background.

    Additionally, I plan to continue to play in 5.0+ and/or the pro division at PPA and APP events hosted around the country. While I intend on playing women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and singles at these events, I am most excited to play women’s doubles. My older sister, who is also a former Division I tennis player turned pickleball player, and I plan to continue to team up for these events. I am enthusiastic and dedicated to continuing to develop my game!

    Sam Hutner and Mehvish Safdar, Bloomington Pickleball Club members, stand with their partners holding a Nationals Bid Winner banner and a ,000 check at a Life Time Pickleball event. The group smiles in front of a branded backdrop on an indoor court.

    The team will play in the DUPR Collegiate National Championship in Peachtree Corners, Georgia from Nov. 17-19.

  • BPC & IU Pickleball: The Journey Towards Building a Championship Team

    BPC & IU Pickleball: The Journey Towards Building a Championship Team

    We’re delighted to present to you two insightful interviews from the Bloomington Pickleball Club (BPC). These interviews offer a unique perspective on the sport of Pickleball and its growing prominence at the collegiate level.

    Our first interview is with Carter Wittendorf, a nationally-ranked pickleball player and a major contributor to the team’s success. Carter shares his thoughts on the National Championship, balancing academics with pickleball, and the vital role of team chemistry.

    Our second interview is with Timber Tucker, the chair of the competition and training committee at BPC. Timber’s involvement with IU’s Pickleball team began due to a conflict around public court usage. He discusses the current team’s dynamics, his contribution to the team’s preparation for the National Championship, and the future of Pickleball at IU with the establishment of a development team next semester. He also shares his thoughts on the challenges and plans in getting pickleball recognized as an official club sport at IU.

    We hope these interviews provide you with a deeper understanding of the sport and the dedication, hard work, and camaraderie that goes into building a successful team.

    Enjoy reading!

    Best,

    Dave Martin

    BPC Interview Questions For Carter Wittendorf

    As a nationally-ranked pickleball player at such a young age, what are your expectations going into the National Championship?
    “Things like rankings and ratings can really only tell you so much about players, and I would never create expectations solely off those. At the regional event our team attended, we saw plenty of players with no ratings whatsoever who were fantastic! The collegiate league is filled with a lot of talent and tough competition. Even so, our team has been putting in a lot of work, and I believe it’s setting us up to make some waves at nationals!”

    How do you manage your time between academics and your commitment to the team?
    “For me, it really comes down to creating chunks of time each day for both school and the team. Typically, I try to complete most of my work during the day so my nights are free for practice. Right now, we have team practices on Monday and Wednesday nights, which focus on drilling, working on technique, and employing new strategies. We also play other nights of the week to ensure we’re getting enough actual play-time in.”

    Can you share your thoughts on how the team’s chemistry has contributed to its success?
    “Good chemistry amongst the team is essential to success. Having positive relationships not only lightens the mood during practices and recreational play but also helps the team dig out of tough spots during matches. Sometimes all it takes to come back from a deficit is a little encouragement, and I think we’ve created a fun and supportive environment that does this well.”

    BPC Interview Questions for Timber Tucker

    As the chair of the Competition and Training Committee, how did your involvement with IU’s pickleball team begin?
    “There was some conflict around public court usage at RCA Park. Bloomington and IU face similar issues with a lack of court space. On weekends, IU students often come to RCA to play, putting more pressure on the courts. I was asked to work with them to find ways we could all coexist.”

    What are your thoughts on the current team’s dynamics and performance?
    “Well, we’re undefeated in seven matches, so it’s hard to complain! We’ve been fortunate to have a few really talented players, but now it’s about building depth in the program. That work starts in the spring semester with the launch of our developmental program.”

    How are you contributing to the team’s preparation for the National Championship?
    “They’re kind enough to call me ‘coach,’ but that’s not entirely accurate. My role is more about organization. There are lots of moving parts, and my job is to help guide them through that. Mostly, I make sure they have clean uniforms and stay hydrated!”

    How do you see the future of pickleball at IU, especially with the establishment of a development team next semester?
    “We’re dreaming big and trying to do something special here. There are over 600 students in the club right now. Most of them won’t play in the developmental program—they just want to play for fun, socialize, and unwind. Pickleball has exploded post-pandemic because it’s a great way to stay active and meet new friends.

    At the same time, our travel teams will bring attention to the sport on campus. My dream is to build a winning program that leads the Big Ten and beyond while having a lot of fun along the way.”

    What challenges do you foresee in getting pickleball recognized as an official club sport at IU, and how are you planning to overcome them?
    “IU has been great in helping us navigate the process. It won’t be long before we’re a full club sport. That comes with some nice perks, but we’ll just keep doing what we’re doing to grow the sport on campus.”

    Support the Team!

    We’re still raising funds for the National Championship and upcoming spring events. Please donate using the button below to help send the IU Pickleball team to the National Championships!

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