USC Shuts Down Pickleball Courts: Pickleball has taken college campuses by storm, and the University of Southern California (USC) is no exception. However, the rapid rise of America’s fastest-growing sport has hit a roadblock at USC. The university recently announced the permanent closure of its outdoor tennis and pickleball courts to make way for new USC Athletics facilities. It’s a significant blow to students who have embraced the game as both a sport and a social outlet.
The sport’s popularity at USC is undeniable. In Emily Phally’s article, A pickleball pandemonium hits USC, published in The Daily Trojan, she highlights the growth of Trojan Pickleball, an unofficial student group that ballooned to 500 members in just a year. That kind of growth shows the sport’s appeal on campus, and for many, the removal of the courts represents more than just a lost pastime.
Pickleball: A Social Hub
Alex Han, the sponsorships board secretary of Trojan Pickleball, captures the essence of pickleball’s allure. “People think it’s like a niche thing that they go occasionally and play, but there are so many people that love the sport and play often,” shared Han, a junior majoring in economics.
It’s clear that pickleball isn’t just about competition; it fosters a low-pressure, community-driven atmosphere. Phally emphasizes that losing the courts impacts more than just physical activity. “What students are losing is beyond a space for outdoor physical activities — they’re also losing a low-pressure social environment,” she writes, underlining how the social and recreational opportunities pickleball provides are uniquely intertwined with the game’s outdoor setting.
Adapting to the Loss
In response to the court closures, Trojan Pickleball is stepping up, organizing rideshares to nearby courts and planning open play sessions at off-campus locations. However, as Phally points out, this solution is far from perfect. “It is an understatement to say that it will take more coordination and time, especially with the nearest advertised courts being primarily on the west side of Los Angeles, which often require a membership or charge a fee,” Phally writes, citing the difficulty of finding accessible courts, with many located on the west side of Los Angeles, where fees or memberships are often required.
Alexa Medellin, a senior majoring in industrial and systems engineering, expressed the broader emotional impact of the decision. “It’s very heartbreaking to see that we’re going to have to break apart this very wholesome community that we’ve built, and also that a lot of people are not going to get to experience it,” she said.
Calls for a New Space
Looking ahead, students are hoping that USC administrators will recognize the need for a new on-campus space for pickleball. Phally advocates for action, writing, “What we’re asking for is a newly allocated open outdoor space for play, relaxation and destressing for health and well-being.” Her plea echoes the sentiments of many students who see pickleball as more than just a game — it’s a vital part of their campus experience.
“Pickleball will continue persevering, with or without the University’s help,” Phally concludes, leaving the ball in the university’s court to address the growing demand for a new space.
News in Brief: USC Shuts Down Pickleball Courts
Pickleball’s growing popularity at USC hit a snag as the university permanently closed its outdoor courts to develop new athletics facilities. Trojan Pickleball, a student group with over 500 members, is now forced to find alternatives. Students, disheartened by the loss of a key social and recreational space, are calling for administrators to allocate a new outdoor area for pickleball.
The group is organizing rideshares to off-campus courts but faces challenges due to location and fees. Students stress that pickleball’s growth is unlikely to slow down, urging USC to offer a solution.
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