Badminton has long been known to be a fun and recreational sport. Kids grow up pinging birdies joyfully around in their backyards. To members of the ETHS badminton team though, the sport is much more than an afternoon pastime.
Girls at ETHS have been competing with other schools in IHSA sponsored tournaments for decades now.
In 2023 however, for the first time, boys got a go at tasting that competitiveness in wildkit colors. Since then, the sport has skyrocketed in participation at ETHS.
The first girls badminton official ETHS season started in 1977. This was in compliance with the passing of Title XI, which stated that the amount of male-only sports and women-only sports at a public school must be the same. Since then though, many other girls sports have been created at ETHS. This–along with increasing interest from ETHS students–allowed for the first boys badminton team at ETHS, a whopping forty-six years after the sport was introduced for girls.
“Badminton in general is a really accessible sport. People are less intimidated to try it,” said boys badminton coach Tina Lulla when asked why she thinks it has become so popular.
“We also have a really strong return rate. Out of 14 players from our team last year, 13 returned this season,” adds Lulla.
Although this may be true, competing for the team is not as easy as it looks. Coach Lulla says that a common misconception about badminton is that it is just a “drop-in sport,” but ETHS takes badminton just as seriously as any other program.
“We did have to make some cuts. 38 boys came out, we kept 26.”
In its first year, the boys team only had one competitive meet. During the 2025-2026 season, they had about seven. Four of which were hosted by ETHS in its own Nannini gym. ETHS now offers coed weekday badminton camps throughout the month of June too.
Unfortunately, a big challenge that the team has had is finding other teams to play.
“It’s difficult to run a program and not be sure if we’re going to run a match or not,” laments Lulla. There are only five teams that ETHS competes against in Illinois. The sport has not even been officially adopted by IHSA yet. Still, Lulla sees the bright side.
“The longer we’ve had the team the longer we’ve built out the program. Skill levels have gone up. Everyone’s understanding of the game has gone up.”
It is important to remember that boys badminton has only been a sport for three years. The program is still young and improving. For now, Lulla focuses on the positives.
“My favorite moment is always the end of season celebration. The boys can hang out, it’s really nice to see the way the team has gelled and come together.”
In the next few seasons at least, boys badminton will attempt to build on its existing accomplishments. Coach Lulla and her team will continue to improve and learn. Although, that reality not only depends on the current players, but also the incoming freshmen of years to come. It is up to them in order to make those forward steps.
