Pickleball boom sweeps colleges and universities across the U.S.

In recent years, as an emerging sport, pickleball has rapidly emerged in colleges and universities across the United States, attracting a large number of students to participate. Many colleges and universities have not only actively built pickleball courts, but also established corresponding clubs and organized various competitions, enriching the campus sports culture.

College venue construction
In order to meet students' enthusiasm for pickleball, many colleges and universities have invested resources to build pickleball courts. For example, the University of Alabama invested $1.6 million to build 10 new pickleball courts. Texas A&M University has 10 permanent pickleball courts and 18 temporary courts to meet student needs. The University of Maryland has 16 pickleball courts in its recreational facilities. Ohio State University has 8 pickleball courts and 16 tennis courts. Pepperdine University has built 8 new pickleball courts and provides free equipment rental to students. Baylor University provides students with 11 newly renovated pickleball courts. The University of Georgia has 18 pickleball courts on its campus. The University of Michigan has expanded its recreational facilities to include 12 indoor pickleball courts, and currently has more than 300 students waiting to join the pickleball club.

Clubs and Tournaments
As venues increase, pickleball clubs are popping up in colleges and universities. Although pickleball has not yet become an officially recognized sport by the NCAA, its popularity is growing. The annual Collegiate National Championships attract more and more schools and players to participate. For example, the 2024 national champions are from Utah Tech, where players Averee Beck and Liam Duffin performed well in the competition and plan to enter the professional field after graduation.

The appeal of pickleball
The popularity of pickleball in colleges and universities is no accident. The game is easy to learn and suitable for players of all levels. For freshmen entering college, pickleball courts are a great place to make friends and get involved in campus life. Even if you don't plan to become a professional player, playing pickleball is a positive way to socialize and keep fit, and it helps build a sense of community and belonging.

Future Outlook
As more and more colleges and universities invest resources in building pickleball facilities and organizing related activities, the influence of this sport on college campuses will continue to expand. In the future, pickleball is expected to become an official sport recognized by the NCAA, further promoting its development in colleges and universities.