Page 33 - BusinessWest December 26, 2022
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 The new indoor pickleball courts at HCC’s Bartley Center have seen plenty of use.
  Serving Up Success
Pickleball Continues to Grow in Popularity Across the Region, Nation
CBy Joseph Bednar
hristina Royal was once a competitive amateur tennis player. But not long after taking the job of Holyoke Community College (HCC) presi- dent back in 2017, she discovered a new outlet for those skills — and a new passion.
It was pickleball, which she tried at the suggestion of former HCC trustee Julie Pokela. At the time, Royal was looking for a way to get some exercise and relieve some stress from her busy new job. She found pickleball to be the perfect outlet — and a lot easier on her knees than tennis.
“I love competitive sports, and I’ve played them all my life, so to be able to get back into that was really thrilling,” she said. “When I’m interested in something, I go full immersion, so I got my own equipment and started playing regularly.”
Three years ago, Royal was playing in a pickleball league in Easthampton and invit- ed Tom Stewart, director of HCC’s Bartley Center for Athletics & Recreation, to watch.
“People are into it big time. Players range from novices to advanced, so it’s not like it’s just advanced folks taking over. All abilities come in and play, and they gravitate to each other based on ability level.
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