By Eric Stann
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 need to be a Division I athlete to stay in the game. Club sports and student organizations allow students to keep their passions alive while building friendships along the way.
Take pickleball — a mix of tennis, badminton and ping pong.
What began as a few casual matches among a small group of Mizzou students has now turned into one of the university’s newest student organizations. With more than 300 members, the group’s recent growth reflects the sport’s popularity nationwide, said Caden Davis, president of Mizzou Pickleball Club.
Most students join the club to have fun and connect with others through a common interest. Davis, a senior in Mizzou’s College of Engineering, first learned pickleball in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri. With a background in college baseball, he quickly fell in love with the sport once he arrived in Columbia as a transfer student — finding it easy to pick up but still hard to master.
“When I first arrived at Mizzou, I didn’t know anyone and only connected with other students through the industrial engineering clubs,” he said. “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 organization fields a competitive team in the National Collegiate Pickleball Association. Matches against rival schools — including Arkansas and Kansas — at home and road trips to cities such as Indianapolis, Kansas City and Springfield allow students to experience strong competition both in and out of Columbia.
Pickleball is just one way Mizzou students can combine fun, fitness and friendship. Across campus, dozens of groups — from the court and field to esports — allow students to build confidence, make new friends and create lifelong memories.
Here’s a look at other sports that help Tigers connect, compete and thrive.
Men’s volleyball: Stealth, stamina and spikes
Fast-paced rallies, quick calls and powerful spikes define the sport of men’s volleyball.
In recent years, Mizzou students have joined Men’s Club Volleyball for its strong play, including top-five finishes at national competitions in the past two seasons. But, it’s the camaraderie on and off the court that keeps them coming back every year, Connor Grabs, a graduate student in the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business and club president, said.
“As the sport continues to grow across the Midwest, our club gives students the chance to compete at a high level,” he said. “What makes it unique is the teamwork. Six players moving and strategizing together on a small court requires trust and communication.”
With about 60 students trying out each year, the club fields three competitive teams and a practice team to accommodate the range of skill levels among its 50 players. The top two teams compete in four to five weekend tournaments annually, while the third team participates in two to three tournaments.
Fencing: Strategy, speed and skill
On the fencing strip, strategy, speed and precision define every bout — and Mizzou students of all skill levels are encouraged to jump in and try it out.
About 35 students attend each fencing practice at MizzouRec, enjoying a supportive environment that welcomes newcomers alongside experienced fencers, Christina Bertenshaw, president of Mizzou Club Fencing, said.
“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, said.
While competitions are optional, the club travels to one or two tournaments each month, making it easy for students to participate at the level that suits them.
Women’s lacrosse: Competition, camaraderie and confidence
At Mizzou, Women’s Club Lacrosse offers a family-like atmosphere.
“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, club president and a student in the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, said. “Our team dynamic and bond are what keep everyone coming back year after year.”
The club, about 40 members strong, typically travels to competitions with 18-24 players. As part of the Central Plains Women’s Lacrosse League, Mizzou faces regional opponents such as Arkansas, Kansas, Kansas State, Nebraska, Creighton, Washington University, Drury and Missouri State, with the conference champion advancing to nationals.
While prior experience is helpful, all interested students are welcome.
Esports: Excitement, energy and endurance
Video game competitions have grown far beyond just a few students playing against each other in their dorm rooms. Currently, more than 100 students participate in a thriving Mizzou Esports community, with clubs dedicated to games such as 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, said. “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 offers opportunities for every interest level, including premier teams and club teams. Students can also take on leadership roles in broadcasting, social media and community building. Many students find that esports provides competition, skills development and friendships that extend beyond the game. Interested students can attend in-person events each semester.
Interested in finding your community at Mizzou? Visit Mizzou Engage to search the database of more than 600 student organizations.
