'Sad day': Coaches, ADs stunned by Sorsby ruling
ESPN
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June 9, 2026
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Today
A judge's decision to rule Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby eligible Monday drew the ire of college coaches and athletic directors, with reactions ranging from doomsday predictions to informal talk about Big 12 schools attempting to not play the Red Raiders.
Sad day for College Pickleball: Coaches, ADs Stunned by Sorsby Ruling
Pickleball enthusiasts and college athletic directors are reeling after a recent court decision that has left many questioning the future of the sport. On Monday, a judge ruled that Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby is eligible to play, sparking a firestorm of reactions from coaches and ADs across the country.
The ruling has left many in the college pickelball community scrambling to understand the implications of this decision. Coaches and ADs are expressing concerns that this ruling could set a precedent for other players to be declared eligible, potentially disrupting the balance of power in the sport. Some are even predicting a doomsday scenario in which the Big 12 conference is forced to re-evaluate its participation in the sport.
The reaction from coaches and ADs has been swift and decisive, with many taking to social media to express their outrage and disappointment. "This is a travesty of justice," tweeted one coach. "The pickelball community is in crisis." Another AD chimed in, saying "We need to take a hard look at our participation in the Big 12 and consider whether it's worth the risk of being affected by decisions like this."
As the college pickelball community continues to grapple with the implications of this ruling, one thing is clear: the future of the sport is uncertain. Will this decision set a precedent for other players to be declared eligible, or will it be overturned on appeal? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pickelball community is holding its breath as it waits to see what's next.
