Scholar-led sports activities bridge enjoyable and competitors at Mizzou

Oct. 1, 2025
Contact: Eric Stann, StannE@missouri.edu
Photos by Abbie Lankitus, Gretta Cohoon, Sarah Henry Harvard and Mizzou Visual Productions

At Mizzou, you don’t should be a Division I athlete to remain within the recreation. Club sports activities and scholar organizations enable college students to maintain their passions alive whereas constructing friendships alongside the way in which.

Take pickleball — a mixture of tennis, badminton and ping pong.

What started as a couple of informal matches amongst a small group of Mizzou college students has now changed into one of many college’s latest scholar organizations. With greater than 300 members, the group’s current progress displays the game’s recognition nationwide, mentioned Caden Davis, president of Mizzou Pickleball Club.

Most college students be part of the membership to have enjoyable and join with others by means of a standard curiosity. Davis, a senior in Mizzou’s College of Engineering, first realized pickleball in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri. With a background in school baseball, he rapidly fell in love with the game as soon as he arrived in Columbia as a switch scholar — discovering it simple to choose up however nonetheless exhausting to grasp.

“When I first arrived at Mizzou, I didn’t know anyone and only connected with other students through the industrial engineering clubs,” he mentioned. “Pickleball helped me build confidence and, more importantly, led me to find some of my best friends — including the club’s leadership team and coaches.”

The group fields a aggressive staff within the National Collegiate Pickleball Association. Matches in opposition to rival faculties — together with Arkansas and Kansas — at residence and highway journeys to cities reminiscent of Indianapolis, Kansas City and Springfield enable college students to expertise sturdy competitors each out and in of Columbia.

Pickleball is only one approach Mizzou college students can mix enjoyable, health and friendship. Across campus, dozens of teams — from the court docket and discipline to esports — enable college students to construct confidence, make new pals and create lifelong reminiscences.

Here’s a have a look at different sports activities that assist Tigers join, compete and thrive.

Men’s volleyball: Stealth, stamina and spikes

Fast-paced rallies, fast calls and highly effective spikes outline the game of males’s volleyball.

In current years, Mizzou college students have joined Men’s Club Volleyball for its sturdy play, together with top-five finishes at nationwide competitions up to now two seasons. But, it’s the camaraderie on and off the court docket that retains them coming again yearly, Connor Grabs, a graduate scholar within the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business and membership president, mentioned.

“As the sport continues to grow across the Midwest, our club gives students the chance to compete at a high level,” he mentioned. “What makes it unique is the teamwork. Six players moving and strategizing together on a small court requires trust and communication.”

With about 60 college students attempting out annually, the membership fields three aggressive groups and a apply staff to accommodate the vary of talent ranges amongst its 50 gamers. The prime two groups compete in 4 to 5 weekend tournaments yearly, whereas the third staff participates in two to 3 tournaments.

Fencing: Strategy, velocity and talent

On the fencing strip, technique, velocity and precision outline each bout — and Mizzou college students of all talent ranges are inspired to leap in and take a look at it out.

About 35 college students attend every fencing apply at MizzouRec, having fun with a supportive setting that welcomes newcomers alongside skilled fencers, Christina Bertenshaw, president of Mizzou Club Fencing, mentioned.

“Fencing is primarily an individual sport, so you can go at your own pace while still enjoying the encouragement and camaraderie of a team,” Bertenshaw, a senior in Mizzou’s College of Health Sciences, mentioned.

While competitions are non-obligatory, the membership travels to at least one or two tournaments every month, making it simple for college kids to take part on the stage that fits them.

Women’s lacrosse: Competition, camaraderie and confidence

At Mizzou, Women’s Club Lacrosse gives a family-like ambiance.

“Most of our team had the opportunity to play at the collegiate level after high school, but they chose Mizzou as the best place to continue their education,” Morgan Turpin, membership president and a scholar within the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, mentioned. “Our team dynamic and bond are what keep everyone coming back year after year.”

The membership, about 40 members sturdy, usually travels to competitions with 18-24 gamers. As a part of the Central Plains Women’s Lacrosse League, Mizzou faces regional opponents reminiscent of Arkansas, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Creighton, Washington University, Drury and Missouri State, with the convention champion advancing to nationals.

While prior expertise is useful, all college students are welcome.

Esports: Excitement, vitality and endurance

Video recreation competitions have grown far past only a few college students taking part in in opposition to one another of their dorm rooms. Currently, greater than 100 college students take part in a thriving Mizzou Esports neighborhood, with golf equipment devoted to video games reminiscent of Rocket League, Overwatch and League of Legends.

“Esports is a great way to find a sense of community and belonging with a warm and welcoming group of people,” Colin Graham, esports coordinator at MizzouRec, mentioned. “If you want to play casually with friends, we’re the place for that. If you want to rise through the ranks and compete nationally, you can do that, too.”

Mizzou Esports gives alternatives for each curiosity stage, together with premier groups and membership groups. Students may tackle management roles in broadcasting, social media and neighborhood constructing. Many college students discover that esports gives competitors, abilities growth and friendships that reach past the sport. Interested college students can attend in-person occasions every semester.

Interested to find your neighborhood at Mizzou? Visit Mizzou Engage to go looking the database of greater than 600 scholar organizations.