Selkirk Sport has announced a groundbreaking sponsorship with Utah Tech University’s Pickleball Club, the reigning No. 1 collegiate pickleball team in the nation.
The partnership marks the first of its kind for Utah Tech, setting the stage for a new era of growth and legitimacy for the sport at the university level.
The team, led by head coach Chloee Butterfield, has quickly become a national powerhouse. For Butterfield, the sponsorship is about more than equipment and visibility — it’s about pioneering the future of collegiate pickleball.
“Every ounce of resources a club sport can get, they need,” Butterfield said. “Having Selkirk as a partner not only provides our athletes with reliable gear, but it also adds legitimacy. It tells our players, ‘You’re seen. You matter. This is real.’”
Butterfield’s journey to coaching
Butterfield discovered pickleball in 2020, shortly after moving to St. George. Following the loss of her sister, her husband encouraged her to join a city pickleball league. What started as a hesitant step into a new sport quickly became a passion.
“I was completely hooked,” Butterfield said.
After playing for several months, she transitioned into coaching for the city of St. George and The Picklr before eventually taking over Utah Tech’s program. She’s now entering her second season as head coach.
Butterfield says the opportunity to mentor student-athletes at a pivotal point in their lives is what drives her.
“It’s about more than their on-court experience,” she said. “I want to help them figure out what’s important to them — whether that’s going pro, starting a family, or using pickleball as a springboard for whatever comes next.”
Building a national powerhouse
Utah Tech’s team has grown rapidly alongside the city’s booming pickleball community. Last year, more than 150 students showed up to tryouts. This year, 75 players competed for spots on the roster.
Butterfield and assistant coach Melinda Wilkins now manage two tiers: a competitive team of 12 elite athletes and a developmental team of 12 more players with high potential. Together, they form a 24-player program, making it one of the largest and most competitive programs in the country.
The team practices twice a week with structured drills, match play, and detailed statistical analysis. Butterfield reviews player performance shot by shot, using numbers to guide training.
“We’ll look at their third-shot percentage, unforced errors, and tailor practice to exactly what they need,” she explained.
That system has paid off. Utah Tech has consistently placed at the top of collegiate tournaments, including the 2024 Collegiate National Championships, cementing its reputation as the No. 1 collegiate pickleball program in the nation.
A partnership to shape the future
While powerhouse athletic programs in football and basketball have long been defined by brand sponsorships with Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour, pickleball is just starting to take that step.
Club President Brinley Horton said that Selkirk Sport’s deal with Utah Tech represents collegiate pickleball’s next chapter.
“This partnership means that someone believes in us and our abilities to progress and win,” Horton said. “Our team has worked super hard to get where we are and to have someone invest in our future and give us opportunities to learn how to be the best at pickleball. It means a lot, and we are so proud to be part of the Selkirk legacy.”
Butterfield added that the partnership not only supports current athletes but also strengthens recruiting efforts.
“When we can tell a prospective player that Selkirk is behind our program, it changes everything,” she said.
The future of collegiate pickleball
Butterfield predicts explosive growth for collegiate pickleball over the next three to five years, especially as high schools begin to formalize their own teams. She sees sponsorships as critical in accelerating that growth.
“Parents are starting to see that their kids can pursue pickleball at a serious level while still getting their degree,” Butterfield said. “That’s going to shift entire pipelines of athletes who might have gone into tennis or other sports.”
She added that college tournaments are quickly becoming must-see events.
“The energy is the same as watching the pros — and maybe even more exciting because these are young players balancing school, internships, and life. It’s inspiring.”
Lessons beyond the court
Ultimately, Butterfield hopes her players leave the program with more than a winning record.
“Confidence and a willingness to sacrifice for something bigger than themselves — that’s what I hope they take with them,” she said. “Pickleball teaches them to show up for their teammates and for themselves. If they carry that into their lives, they’ll succeed no matter what.”
As Utah Tech and Selkirk Sport move forward with this historic partnership, both sides hope it will open the door for other programs and brands to follow suit.
“Selkirk is putting their money where their mouth is,” Butterfield said. “This is just the beginning of what’s possible for collegiate pickleball.”
