Johnson Family Pickleball Court Donation: On Monday, July 29, 2025, the Johnson family officially opened 12 new pickleball courts at the Jack Johnson Tennis Center in Pittsburg, Kansas. The courts were built with a $600,000 donation from the family, who wanted to give back to their hometown and support the growing sport.
Honoring Their Roots
Julie Johnson and Jack Johnson are both proud graduates of Pittsburg State University. Julie once worked as a physical therapist in the city, and Jack spent 38 years running Broadway Animal Hospital. Their children, JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson, also spent their early years in Pittsburg before moving to Naples, Florida, to focus on tennis.
A Big Day for Pittsburg
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked a special moment for the family and the community. JW Johnson said,
“It’s really special to be here for our hometown and just to get to see how much that it is even grown from even the last time we were here, which was like two years ago now.”
Many local residents attended the event, which took place at the same center that already carried Jack Johnson’s name. The new pickleball courts are now part of that growing complex.
Changing Times in Sports
Jack Johnson talked about how pickleball is becoming more popular than tennis.
“We see all the time that the pickleball courts are completely full whereas the tennis courts just have a few people out there, or none even,” (Jack Johnson).
Jacob Cooperman, a reporter from KSN 16, said the ceremony was
“the culmination of decades of dedication the family has given to the sport”
and added that the Johnsons want
“to donate additional resources to help other communities, as the sport they love continues to grow.”
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
The Johnson family’s gift is expected to bring more people to the courts and help more young athletes discover pickleball. As the sport keeps growing in Kansas and across the country, the Johnsons hope their contribution will inspire others to support their communities in the same way.
News in Brief: Johnson Family Pickleball Court Donation
The Johnson family donated $600,000 to build 12 new pickleball courts in Pittsburg, Kansas. The ribbon-cutting was held on July 29, 2025, at the Jack Johnson Tennis Center. The family, originally from Pittsburg, now plans to support other communities as pickleball gains popularity across the U.S.
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