APP, NIRSA, Selkirk & USA Pickleball Unite to Lead Future of College Pickleball

Four organizations collaborate to grow pickleball at the collegiate level nationwide through a robust competition platform, funding, equipment and education.

The APP Selkirk Collegiate Series will be officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball and exclusively designated as a NIRSA Championship Series platform.

Pickleball veteran, coach and lead broadcaster of the APP Tour Dominic Catalano Named Director of the APP Collegiate Series.

CHICAGO — Aug. 21, 2025—The Association of Pickleball Players (APP), the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), Selkirk Sport and USA Pickleball are joining forces to serve and grow college pickleball across the United States. Through a variety of initiatives, these four organizations are bringing their strengths to bear for the benefit of the sport, recreation and intramural administrators, and college students, resulting in more pickleball and healthier, more inclusive college communities.

“I am so grateful for the incredible collaboration between the APP, NIRSA, Selkirk and USA Pickleball,” said Shannon Dan, EVP of Strategy and Growth at the APP. “Our collective mission is to grow the game of pickleball on college campuses, and each organization has stepped up to bring meaningful benefits to college programs and players. From funding and education to equipment and a national competition platform, this offering will be transformational for college pickleball.”

Dominic Catalano, a 20+ year pickleball veteran, coach and lead broadcaster of the APP Tour, will spearhead APP’s leadership as Director of APP Collegiate Series. Catalano will be joined by longtime APP Tour pro Susannah Barr as College Player and Program Liaison.

Since debuting in the 2023-24 academic year, the APP’s college property will be primed for its biggest year yet. Now a NIRSA Championship Series event, the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series will officially be sanctioned by USA Pickleball — making it the only college property sanctioned by the sport’s governing body.

The APP will host seven regional qualifiers across the country and culminate the season with the 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships hosted at The Courts, Cape Coral, in March 2026. In total, college players will battle for $85,000 in prize money, including $5,000 per qualifier and $50,000 in the APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships.  

Longtime partner Chicken N Pickle expands its successful partnership with the APP and continues as the primary host venue for the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series. See below or visit TheAPP.global to access the college schedule.

Each partner will play a critical role in spearheading the growth of college pickleball in the United States.  

NIRSA: Elevating College Pickleball and Inspiring Wellness
NIRSA is a leader in higher education and the advocate for the advancement of recreation, sport, and wellbeing, and now the go-to resource for campus recreation professionals looking to start or grow their campus’ pickleball programs. The APP Selkirk Collegiate Series events now receive exclusive designation as part of the NIRSA Championship Series, which provides premier championship experiences in intramural and recreational sports nationwide. Pickleball joins basketball, flag football, soccer and tennis as part of the NIRSA Championship Series portfolio, expanding experiential learning opportunities for thousands of NIRSA members.

"College is a huge opportunity for millions of students to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime," says Pam Watts, CAE and NIRSA Executive Director. "Each year, member campuses have been expanding their pickleball offerings and so we're excited to partner with the Association of Pickleball Players, Selkirk and USA Pickleball to bring pickleball to the NIRSA Championship Series lineup."

Selkirk: Creating Opportunities and Driving Exposure for College Pickleball
Selkirk, a pioneer of USA-manufactured pickleball paddles and equipment, returns as a standout partner of the APP and will play a prominent role in fueling the growth of college pickleball. Notably, Selkirk becomes the official title sponsor of the APP’s collegiate pickleball initiatives, now known as the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series. Selkirk will offer sponsorship opportunities to top-performing schools and players competing in the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series and provide equipment to schools starting new pickleball programs. Lastly, live coverage from the 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships will air on Selkirk Pickleball TV alongside APPTV on YouTube. With more than 1 million monthly views, Selkirk TV provides significant exposure for college pickleball and its top players.

"We believe college campuses are a critical touchpoint for expanding pickleball’s reach," said Rob Barnes, co-founder and co-CEO of Selkirk Sport. "Collegiate athletes represent the next generation of players and ambassadors, and partnering on this initiative is a powerful way to help expand access, create competitive opportunities and foster a lifelong passion for the sport.”

USA Pickleball: The Go-To Resource for College Pickleball Administrators and Players

As the sport’s National Governing Body, USA Pickleball is deeply committed to providing funding and education to grow the game at the college level. In addition to providing travel funds and other incentives to college programs, USA Pickleball, through its charitable arm, USA Pickleball Serves, offers two primary grants: the Grow the Game grant, which supplies startup equipment such as paddles, nets and balls, and the Play It Forward grant, which helps schools and communities install or convert courts for pickleball use. USA Pickleball will also offer a discounted membership to college students, host a national club directory to connect college programs nationwide and provide a “Complete College Toolkit” with essential resources and educational materials for college programs. Additionally, The APP Selkirk Collegiate Series will be officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball — making it the only college pickleball property sanctioned by the sport’s governing body.  

“USA Pickleball is committed to nurturing the growth of pickleball within the collegiate space, recognizing the unique opportunity colleges present for expanding our sport,” said Chris Zukas, Vice President of Membership Development and Service at USA Pickleball. “We’re focused on equipping administrators, coaches and students with meaningful resources and dedicated support that they need. By investing in college pickleball today, we’re shaping the future of our sport, building a strong foundation for continued growth.”

‍2025-26 Season Schedule

Oct. 25-26: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Idaho (The Flying Pickle Boise, ID)

Nov. 8-9: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Arizona [held alongside the APP Mesa Open] (Arizona Athletic Grounds Mesa, AZ)

Nov. 15-16: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Colorado (Chicken N Pickle Thornton, CO)

Nov. 22-23: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Kansas (Chicken N Pickle Overland Park, KS)

Jan. 10-11: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Florida (The Courts Cape Coral, FL)

Jan. 24-25: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – Texas (Chicken N Pickle Webster, TX)

Jan. 31-Feb. 1: APP Selkirk Collegiate Qualifier – New Jersey (Pickleball Kingdom Hamilton, NJ)

Mar. 6-8: APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships (The Courts Cape Coral, FL)