Each week, LIFE@Elon members, 50 and older, gather in South Gym for a fun session of pickleball that encourages healthy activity and builds meaningful community.
Every week, a group of LIFE@Elon members shows up ready to play, laugh and take a break from the usual routine. Pickleball has quickly become more than just a game — it’s a space where people can move their bodies, meet new faces and build real connections in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
Whether someone is picking up a paddle for the first time or already brings a competitive edge, the courts have become a hub for community, stress relief and healthy activity.
LIFE@Elon’s mission is to provide lifelong learning for adults 50 years and older through an educational community that offers enriching experiences through unique programs and ongoing engagement with Elon University.
“It’s a great opportunity to bring you full circle with activities, education, new friends, and new opportunities such as travel,” said Mary Anne Butler, who has attended LIFE@Elon for about three years.
Butler, who is an avid pickleball player, has been a member of LIFE@Elon for around 3 years. She says LIFE@Elon has helped her stay active within the Elon community, and that pickleball “brought friends together.” These same friends, she says, go out to eat together and play pickleball almost every day.
This pickleball group averages about 14 players each week. Some of the members branch out beyond physical involvement and delve into everything else the community has to offer, such as special guest lectures at Elon University.
If you, your family members, or friends are looking for more information about LIFE@Elon, you can contact Kathryn Bennett, director of LIFE@Elon, at kbennett9@elon.edu or 336-278-7431.