APP Partners with PB5star: The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) has announced a significant partnership with PB5star, a brand renowned for its high-performance pickleball apparel and footwear. This collaboration is set to elevate the APP’s nationwide collegiate events, with PB5star becoming the exclusive apparel partner for the 2025 APP U.S. Collegiate Championships and the four regional qualifiers throughout 2024.
The Road to the Championships
The journey to the 2025 APP U.S. Collegiate Championships begins with a series of regional competitions this fall. These events will see college teams competing for a spot in the prestigious championships, which are scheduled for January 3-5, 2025, at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana. The regional qualifiers are set as follows:
- West Regional: September 26-28 in Glendale, Arizona
- Southwest Regional: October 11-12 in Dallas, Texas
- Midwest Regional: October 17-19 in St. Louis, Missouri
- East Regional: December 5-7 at The Fort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
From these regional competitions, 32 teams will secure their places for the APP U.S. Collegiate Team Championships. Additionally, the APP U.S. Collegiate Individual Championships will feature college players competing in various categories, including men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
PB5star’s Commitment
PB5star’s involvement goes beyond just branding and signage at each event. The company is pledging financial support for team hotel accommodations at the 2025 APP U.S. Collegiate Championships. Participants will also receive a player gift from PB5star, enhancing their experience on and off the court.
“We’re excited to have PB5star as a key partner of the APP’s collegiate platform, a very important initiative for the APP. Geared towards one of the fastest-growing age segments in the sport’s participation, PB5star has a phenomenal product that we know collegiate pickleball players will love. We look forward to showcasing the best of the best at all our upcoming collegiate events.” – (Sara Bonds, SVP of strategic partnerships for the APP)
Angela Caltagirone, chief digital and marketing officer for PB5star, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the company’s dedication to supporting collegiate athletes and the future stars of pickleball.
“PB5star is excited to partner with the Association of Pickleball Players for the 2024/2025 APP U.S. Collegiate Regionals and Championships. We are proud to support collegiate athletes and the future stars of pickleball, providing resources that enhance their experience both on and off the court. We look forward to being a part of their journey and celebrating their achievements. Our motivation is to grow the sport of pickleball within the collegiate space and inspire the next generation of players.” – (Angela Caltagirone)
The Grand Event
The 2025 APP U.S. Collegiate Championships will be a grand spectacle, nationally televised and featuring a prize pool of $80,000 in scholarship money. The Grand Park Sports Campus, known for hosting the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts training camp, will be transformed into a pickleball mecca for the event. The facility, spanning 377,000 square feet, will feature a Championship Court, along with various player and spectator accommodations, including locker rooms and a large bar and restaurant overlooking the play.
This partnership between the APP and PB5star marks a significant milestone in the growth of collegiate pickleball, promising an exciting and competitive season ahead.
News in Brief: APP Partners with PB5star
The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) has partnered with PB5star, a top pickleball apparel and footwear brand, to enhance the 2025 APP U.S. Collegiate Championships and regional qualifiers in 2024. The qualifiers will be held in Glendale, AZ; Dallas, TX; St. Louis, MO; and Fort Lauderdale, FL. PB5star will provide financial support for team accommodations and player gifts.
The championships, scheduled for January 3-5, 2025, at the Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, IN, will feature a $80,000 scholarship prize pool and national TV coverage. This collaboration highlights the growing prominence of collegiate pickleball and PB5star’s commitment to supporting the sport’s rising stars.
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