Cheyenne DeGross/Fourth Estate

How pickleball reignited this Mason student’s love for the university

BY BENJAMIN SPITLER, STAFF WRITER 

“I think that’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my life… giving up the sport I love.” For many, the college experience brings both the highest and lowest moments of our young lives. 

This sentiment especially resonates with Cheyenne DeGross, a junior at George Mason University, majoring in communications with minors in sports journalism, criminology, and law and society. Cheyenne’s journey—from a collegiate softball player to a pickleball enthusiast—is a story of resilience and reinvention.

Navigating college recruitment during and after the COVID-19 pandemic was challenging for Cheyenne. As a standout softball player, she considered offers from East Stroudsburg University, a small school in Pennsylvania, and George Mason. 

After much deliberation, she chose Mason, drawn by the coaching staff’s encouragement and the university’s proximity to Washington, D.C. It seemed like the perfect combination of academics and athletics.

In her freshman year, Cheyenne contributed to Mason softball’s historic season, one filled with memorable achievements. The team broke the school’s all-time steals record, clinched the A-10 conference championship, and advanced to the NCAA tournament, where they competed against powerhouse programs like Duke and Campbell. For many, this would have been a dream season, but Cheyenne faced a very different reality.

“I felt like an odd man out,” she reflected. “I wasn’t treated fairly, never got a chance, and didn’t have the confidence instilled in me like I saw in many of my other teammates.” For an athlete accustomed to being a vital part of her team, the experience was disheartening. The lack of support and the mental toll it took began to overshadow her love for the sport.

By the spring of her sophomore year, Cheyenne made the difficult decision to leave the team and enter the transfer portal, a process that allows athletes to explore opportunities at other schools. This bittersweet step reflected her enduring love for softball and the hope of finding a program where she could thrive.

Amid the uncertainty, Cheyenne discovered a new outlet: pickleball. She was introduced to the sport by a friend she met while taking an Italian culture course when she studied abroad in Italy. 

What began as a casual activity quickly evolved into a new passion. Encouraged by her friend, Cheyenne began visiting the Mason pickleball courts and soon joined the university’s pickleball club.

The club became more than just a recreational space; it offered a sense of belonging that Cheyenne had been missing. “Pickleball helped me feel like I had a purpose again,” she said. 

The sport allowed her to connect with others, challenge herself and rebuild her confidence. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly supported and accepted by her peers.

The positive environment of the pickleball community led Cheyenne to reevaluate her plans. Although she had entered the transfer portal with the hope of continuing her softball career elsewhere, her experiences at the pickleball club gave her a new perspective. Staying at George Mason no longer felt like settling but instead seemed like the right choice for her growth and happiness.

Ultimately, Cheyenne removed her name from the transfer portal, deciding to remain at Mason and leave softball behind. It was not an easy choice, but it allowed her to focus on her newfound passion and the friendships she had built. This turning point marked the start of a new chapter, one where she could prioritize her well-being and redefine her college experience.

Cheyenne’s story is a familiar one for many college students who enter university with a clear vision for their future, only to find life taking unexpected turns. For Cheyenne, stepping away from softball was a painful decision, but embracing new opportunities allowed her to rediscover her passion and sense of belonging. 

Her journey reminds us that the path to finding ourselves is often not the one we plan, but the one we truly need. Reflecting on her experience, Cheyenne shared, “There’s always hope, and sometimes you have to take a different path than you initially wanted.”