University of Richmond’s sports clubs inspire community
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Wendy Sheppard believes Richmond has a sports club for just about everyone, no matter their interest or skill level. In recent years, she has seen a surge in the number of students joining one of the 27 sports clubs on campus overseen and advised by University Recreation.
“Sport clubs are important because they give students a real sense of belonging while supporting their health and well-being in a welcoming space,” said Sheppard, the assistant director of sports & risk management for University Recreation. “They help students find their people, build friendships, and feel connected to our campus.”
Learn about two of the sports clubs, synchronized swimming and pickleball.
Synchronized swimming
Andrea Padilla swam and took part in gymnastics before college but wanted to try something new when she arrived at UR.
“I went to SpiderFest my first year looking to join a cross-country or dance team, but instead I found myself at the synchronized swimming table,” said Padilla, now a senior and the club’s president. “I had never done it before, but I thought it would be a unique thing to try that mixed both of my old sports.”
The team competes five times each season against other universities such as Ohio State, Stanford University, and the University of Florida. None of the current athletes had prior experience before joining the team.
“It's not just memorizing the counts and maintaining synchrony, but also performing, having the strength and flexibility to do the moves,” Padilla said, adding, “and, of course, getting used to the lack of breathing.”
This is especially true for hybrids, a choreographed series of leg movements that the swimmer performs while inverted in the water.
Padilla said people are surprised to learn that they hear music via underwater speakers, never touch the bottom of the pool during performances, and slick on Knox gelatin to hold back their hair for competitions.
“Learning the hybrids and choreography, laughing with the girls when we inevitably mess it up the first time, and watching all of us get better have been highlights of my senior year,” Padilla said. “The team has brought me some lifelong friends.”
Dylan Borowsky co-founded the pickleball club in 2024. The club plays on campus courts.
Pickleball
Sophomore Dylan Borowsky competed in pro-level pickleball in high school and wanted to find a way to keep playing at a high level once he arrived at Richmond. He founded the pickleball club with fellow sophomores Lia Adams and Keira Linnane in Fall 2024.
“Our members are a mix of competitive athletes and people who just enjoy playing and improving. Some train seriously for tournaments, while others come out to play a few nights a week to stay active and have fun,” said Borowsky.
There are 166 registered members in the co-ed club, including a tournament team of 16 players. Last year, the tournament team qualified for the Collegiate Pickleball Nationals. To earn a spot, they had to finish in the top 64 teams in the country out of more than 400 total clubs nationwide.
“That result put our program firmly on the national map and set a strong standard for this season’s goals,” said Borowsky.
Since pickleball is still a relatively new sport, even high-level players are always learning and finding ways to improve, he said.
"I think pickleball has become so popular because it's incredibly accessible," Borowsky said. "With the courts right on campus, it's easy for people to pick up a paddle, learn the basics quickly, and start progressing to a higher level without needing years of experience."