Carolina Pickleball Club Rise: Pickleball is growing quickly at the University of North Carolina, where students can join the club pickleball program. The group includes both social and competitive teams, giving students of all skill levels a chance to play while also representing Carolina in tournaments.
Club Structure
The club started in 2021 and now has two groups. The social team is open to all students who want to play for fun. The competitive team, which has 30 to 35 players, holds tryouts at the start of each semester. From there, 12 to 16 players are chosen to compete in tournaments.
Tournament Play
The competitive team faces schools across the East Coast, including Duke University, NC State University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson University, Florida State University, University of Maryland, Penn State University, and Villanova University.
In 2022, Carolina won the first Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating Collegiate National Championship by defeating Utah Tech University. Former club president Scott Gilliam, Class of 2025, said,
“The sport has grown so much. We got a lot of attention by winning the first one, but every school that competed got some looks. Pickleball in general extended to the collegiate world for the first time that year, and it was an instant success.”
The team followed with a runner-up finish in 2023 and a semifinal appearance in 2024. The national event has expanded to 64 teams, with a bracket like the NCAA basketball tournament.
Sponsorships and Support
The team has also earned sponsorships that bring in shoes, paddles, energy products, and other gear. Players often receive free or discounted items, while the club helps promote the brands through social media posts.
Community and Friendship
For many players, the team is more than just competition.
“Club pickleball opened up a lot of doors for me while I was at UNC. Just sticking around in the group chat and staying interested is probably the reason why I’m still playing and was the president.”(Scott Gilliam)
Current president Mihir Upadhye, a third-year doctoral candidate in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, agreed.
“Pickleball has gone from an incredibly small part of my life to being really the biggest part of my life outside of my work. I love the social aspect of it. Everyone on the team is so kind and funny, everyone gets along, and we have a very happy team.”
Gilliam added,
“We travel all the time and spend a lot of time together. I had other commitments outside of pickleball that I dedicated my time to, and having an outlet where I’m with a lot of friends and getting some exercise relieves my stress.”
Looking Ahead
The Carolina pickleball club has shown steady growth in both results and community. With tournament success, sponsorships, and strong friendships among its members, the team has built a model that can continue to grow as pickleball spreads across college campuses.
News in Brief: Carolina Pickleball Club Rise
Pickleball at the University of North Carolina is thriving with both social and competitive club teams. Since 2021, the team has earned national recognition, including a championship in 2022. With sponsorships, tournament play, and close friendships, the Carolina pickleball program continues to grow as the sport spreads across colleges nationwide.
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