The Quillen College of Medicine has hosted its first-ever Pickleball Palooza on March 23-24. This event was to help raise money for patients in St. Jude Hospital.

This two-day event was held at the Memorial Park Community Center in Johnson City. The tournament consisted of 150 sign-ups, exceeding the turnout expectations for this event within a short period. 

“It was an easy decision to go with St. Jude, but the real question was ‘what are we going to do and how are we going to fundraise for these kids?’ The answer was Pickleball because it is exploding right now and this is our way to make a difference here,” said Jacob Snipp, a pre-med student at ETSU.

Photo taken during the Quillen College of Medicine Pickleball Palooza. (Seneca Rulison/East Tennessean)

Snipp talks about how his friend, Bo Cotten who is pre-med and interested in pediatric care, had experience with St. Jude. The Niswonger Children’s Hospital also played a key role in the decision-making for Snipp because they are affiliated with St. Jude and have seen the smiles and joy of the children at St. Jude. The overall goal was to help St. Jude research by helping advance pediatric cures, prevention methods and treatments.

“It’s really a blessing just to be able to make a difference in the community and that’s how this all started,” stated Snipp.

The schedule consisted of singles, doubles, round-robin, single elimination and more. These two days focused on beginner and intermediate levels, also offering options for the younger kids to play and beginner-friendly instructional play. Sunday featured intermediate play alongside advanced men and women doubles and singles to follow.

Photo of Kassie Hopson and Bayleigh Carmichel at the Quillen College of Medicine Pickleball Palooza. (Seneca Rulison/East Tennessean)

With Pickleball being on the rise and raffles that the participants could enter, this tournament allowed the Quillen College of Medicine to fundraise money for St. Jude to help advance research pediatric care. Snipp mentions this will take place next year to help raise money for a new or similar cause. 

“We’ve just been overwhelmed with the support of our community, sponsors and raffles, it has just been amazing,” said Snipp.

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