This summer, DUPR partnered with college athletes across the United States to launch its Collegiate Summer Ambassadors program. The goal was to grow pickleball on campuses, create community, and help young players build leadership skills. The ambassadors landed sponsorships, joined social media challenges, and received personal guidance to expand their reach in the pickleball world.
Building Skills and Connections
Throughout the program, ambassadors gained exposure through brand deals and creative media projects. They participated in social challenges with prizes and received advice on how to grow their personal brands in the sport. This experience gave them a platform to promote pickleball while improving leadership and networking skills.
Ambassador Highlights
Abbey Oliver, a senior at Drury University—the first school with a varsity pickleball program—balanced classes with competition and leadership roles.
“This opportunity has given me all of that and more, offering a new perspective on the game,” Abbey said. She also became a DUPR Coach, creating a video with more than 21,000 views and earning certification to officially rate players.
At 16 years old, Mary Monson plays for Utah Tech University while traveling nationally and internationally for pro events.
“It has been so much fun being a DUPR ambassador and helping grow pickleball on the college scene. I enjoy collaborating to create fun content that promotes the sport on the collegiate level,” Mary said.
Tristan Miller joined the program to connect with others and gain visibility in the sport.
“DUPR has helped me grow both in the community as well as in my social media presence, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” Tristan said.
Caden McCray turned a hobby into a leadership role by promoting pickleball among college athletes and organizing events.
“Through these experiences, I’ve gained not only valuable opportunities but also lasting connections, and I’m excited to continue contributing to the growth of pickleball,” Caden said. He and Tristan teamed up to create content that caught the attention of brands like pickleball_besties.
Heather Kim, president of the University of Connecticut Club and a Top 12 junior player in the United States, transitioned from tennis to pickleball and now competes in pro events sponsored by Selkirk.
“I became a DUPR ambassador because I love the competition and vibes of DUPR collegiate events, and I’m very excited to help promote these opportunities for players nationwide,” Heather said.
Lilly Jennings focused on training this summer while aiming for the Alabama Pickleball Club team.
“I wanted to have some experience working with leadership and pickleball over the summer to transfer that to the pickleball club. I can’t wait to see what pickleball has to offer in the fall!” Lilly said.
Eli Eliason, who competed for the University of Tennessee, launched the Georgia Tech competitive pickleball team.
“Being able to represent the collegiate tour and make connections has been a blast for the past few months,” Eli said.
At the University of Richmond, Dylan Borowsky built one of the campus’s most active pickleball communities.
“Being part of this program has let me combine my love for the game with the opportunity to help it reach even more players,” Dylan said.
Future of Collegiate Pickleball
These ambassadors are shaping the next era of pickleball by promoting events, leading clubs, and sharing content that inspires new players. With their sponsorships, connections, and media experience, they have set a high standard for future DUPR ambassadors and continue to drive the sport’s rapid growth on college campuses.
News in Brief: Collegiate Summer Ambassadors
DUPR’s Collegiate Summer Ambassadors program helped young pickleball leaders promote the sport, land sponsorships, and build campus communities. Players like Abbey Oliver, Mary Monson, and Heather Kim gained leadership skills, media experience, and brand deals, proving that college athletes are key to the sport’s fast-growing future.