While the University of Southern California (USC) recently bid its outdoor pickleball courts goodbye to make way for new athletics facilities, another well-known insitution of higher learner has blessed its students with a pickleball player's paradise.

Penn State University (PSU) held a grand opening of 12 new pickleball courts for the campus community on Sept. 9. 

According to Senior Director of PSU Campus Recreation, Stephen Kamp, the project was initiated because no outdoor spaces could meet the demand from the ever-growing pickleball club membership.

“At Penn State, we’re lucky to have plenty of outdoor tennis facilities,” said Kamp in a Sept. 19 article published in Campus Rec. “We opted to transform a three-court tennis area into twelve pickleball courts, selecting the site for its high student traffic, visibility and potential to enhance the overall appearance of the area.”

The 24,000 square foot facility also features two spectator cabanas to provide shade.

Writer John Reecer explained that the courts "are open to all Penn State students, or those with a Campus Recreation membership, from sunup to sundown every day."

Kamp knew the courts would be a resounding success given the major uptick in students already playing pickleball indoors on campus.

“Moving forward, we’re committed to offering new opportunities for students to engage in activities that enhance their overall well-being,” shared Kamp. “The addition of pickleball courts not only meets this goal, but also has the potential to attract students who may not typically participate in other campus recreation activities.”