Jyllian Whitworth Makes History as Part of Drury University: Jyllian Whitworth, a familiar face on the tennis court, is now poised to make her mark on the growing world of college pickleball. On Wednesday, she officially signed with Drury University, marking a significant step in both her athletic career and in the rapidly developing sport of pickleball at the collegiate level.
A Bold Move for College Pickleball
Drury University, located in Springfield, Missouri, is taking a pioneering leap into the world of college pickleball. In just its inaugural year, the program is setting a precedent as the first official college pickleball team in the nation. As the sport continues to gain momentum across the country, Drury’s decision to introduce a non-NCAA pickleball program reflects the rising popularity and demand for the sport, particularly among younger athletes like Whitworth.
Whitworth, who has a deep passion for both athletics and academics, was drawn to Drury not only for the pickleball opportunity but also for its psychology program. As part of her future aspirations, she plans to major in psychology, minor in communication, and earn a certificate in wrongful convictions. Ultimately, her goal is to become an art therapist, combining her academic interests with her desire to help others.
Pickleball: A Long-Standing Passion
Pickleball is hardly new to Whitworth. Though she’s best known for her accomplishments on the tennis court, she has been playing pickleball since she was seven or eight years old. Throughout her four years in high school, Whitworth’s tennis career earned her recognition, including three all-conference awards and two all-district honors. But it was her time on the pickleball court, which she seamlessly integrated into her tennis training, that caught the attention of Drury’s coaches.
The transition from tennis to pickleball is not a difficult one for Whitworth, who already possesses the hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking developed through her tennis experience. It’s this combination of skills that makes her an exciting addition to Drury’s fledgling program.
Looking Ahead
Whitworth’s signing is more than just a personal achievement; it represents a growing acceptance and embrace of pickleball as a serious collegiate sport. As more athletes like Whitworth turn their attention to pickleball, programs like Drury’s are helping to establish the sport’s place in the world of college athletics.
It’s a fitting moment for both the athlete and the sport as they look to the future, with Drury at the forefront of a new wave in collegiate sports.
News in Brief: Jyllian Whitworth Makes History as Part of Drury University
Jyllian Whitworth, a senior from Mexico, Missouri, signed with Drury University to play for its inaugural pickleball program. Drury is launching the first-ever official college pickleball team, reflecting the sport’s rapid growth across the nation. Whitworth has extensive experience in both tennis and pickleball, earning multiple all-conference and all-district awards in her high school tennis career. She plans to major in psychology and become an art therapist while pursuing her athletic dreams at Drury.
ALSO READ: Keene Lions Pickleball Tournament Draws Top Pickleball Talent for Charity in 2025
