JMU senior achieves No. 1 pickleball ranking, academic success

Ryan Morneau arrived at James Madison University with a simple goal: to put himself in uncomfortable situations and grow. 

Four years later, he accomplished his mission, and then some. 

Morneau will graduate from JMU on May 15 with a degree in finance and a minor in mathematics, as well as the distinction of being the No. 1-ranked collegiate pickleball player in the United States.

“I came to JMU so I could be forced to take risks outside my comfort zone,” Morneau said. “JMU has provided every opportunity to do exactly that.” 

His first major turning point came early. After a difficult first semester socially, Morneau pushed himself to join the Theta Chi fraternity. 

“It was the true definition of out of my comfort zone,” he said. “But the result was that I became much more self-confident, a trait I will always be thankful for.” 

That willingness to embrace discomfort carried into his academic and professional development. As a sophomore, Morneau set his sights on joining the Madison Investment Fund, one of the College of Business’s most competitive student organizations. The rigorous eight-week selection process, filled with high-pressure quizzes, presentations and constant evaluation, tested his resolve. 

“Eventually I made it through,” he said. “And with it I gained newfound skills in networking, presenting and finance background that helped me succeed in my future semesters.” 

But it was on the pickleball court where Morneau made perhaps his most lasting mark. 

Morneau got involved with JMU’s pickleball club early in his college career, a decision that shaped his experience and his legacy. Over time, he rose to become the top-ranked collegiate player in the country, holding the No. 1 spot for more than a year. 

Leveraging his personal success, Morneau secured multiple sponsorships for the club, a milestone rarely achieved in collegiate pickleball. He and his executive team also arranged for a sponsor-funded documentary that followed the team’s journey to nationals, where JMU brought more players than any other school. 

In April, Morneau capped his career with a defining achievement: winning a national championship and becoming the first collegiate singles national champion, etching both his name and JMU’s into the sport’s history. 

The team, he said, became far more than a competitive outlet. 

“I’ve found my roommates, my best friends and family for life on this team,” he said. 

Reflecting on his time at JMU, Morneau points not only to personal accomplishments but also to the people who shaped his experience. He describes a culture of mentorship and support that defined his journey. 

“At every turn, at every hardship, I’ve had mentors and leaders willing to help me when they didn’t have to,” he said. “There is what feels like an unspoken culture of ‘paying it forward.’” 

He has worked to carry that mindset forward, mentoring others just as he was mentored. 

After graduation, Morneau will move to Scottsdale, Arizona, to begin his career as a commercial banker with UMB Bank. At the same time, he plans to grow a pickleball-focused social media platform and launch a business tied to the sport. 

“I hope people remember that I took risks, that I pushed myself into unfamiliar territories where I knew I would struggle, and I came out a better person every single time,” said Morneau.