Student interest and necessary facility upgrades fuel the rise of campus rec pickleball courts at Eastern Illinois University.
Pickleball’s popularity is undeniable. According to the Sport and Fitness Industry Association, it’s been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. since 2022. Across the country, campus rec pickleball courts are emerging to keep up with the trend.
At Eastern Illinois University (EIU), the demand is clear. The student-run pickleball club already has over 100 members, leading the university to invest in both indoor and outdoor courts.
“For EIU, the new courts provide not just recreation, but also an avenue for belonging,” said Sarah Daugherty, the director of Campus Recreation at EIU. “This type of engagement is a critical part of EIU’s mission and aligns with health and recreational initiatives vital to our campus and collective communities.”
A Project Years in the Making
The indoor courts were overdue for renovations. Daugherty said they hadn’t been fully functioning for over a decade because of water intrusion and deterioration, with the most recent renovation shutting them down for over 160 days.
When EIU partnered with Robbins Sport Surfaces and Missouri Floor Company on a new design, the department chose to have pickleball court lines to match growing interest. The space can also host basketball, volleyball and badminton.
“The single biggest challenge for the indoor courts was the water intrusion issue which had to be solved before we could consider replacing the floors,” said Daugherty. “It made the project cost double, so funding had to be in place before we started on anything.”
While the indoor courts just needed renovating, the outdoor courts were built from scratch. The construction was folded into a preplanned parking lot resurfacing project. After evaluating sites for over a year, they found an ideal location near the rec center and were able to finish construction over the summer while students were away.
With six fully lit courts, the outdoor space has become a hit with the students and the community.
Student and Community Engagement
Student engagement and patience was high from the start. Daugherty said even while the indoor courts were closed, many continued attending group fitness classes in temporary spaces and used outdoor equipment made available across campus.
When the courts reopened at the start of the school year, turnout was immediate. Daugherty said every court was in use as soon as the ribbon cutting ceremony was complete.
“The outdoor courts have been used almost non-stop since the construction was completed,” said Daugherty. “At the ribbon cutting, we had six courts going with people waiting to play the next game. We have the only courts with lights in the area right now, so it allows for evening play, attracting community members and the campus community. It’s been a great addition.”
The dual appeal is central to the campus rec department’s vision. The pickleball club regularly plays with local groups from neighboring cities, and the new facilities give campus and community players a consistent place to meet. They also help the campus rec department grow their offerings.
Expanding Programming and Engagement
With fully functioning courts finally available, EIU now has the flexibility to offer drop-in play, intramural leagues and student organization events at the same time. The campus rec team also plans to reintroduce large events forced to relocate in the past, boosting both visibility and participation.
Outdoor programming is another area where campus rec hopes to grow. “Not having had outdoor leagues before, I hope to see some growth in the intramural program through both diversity in programming and visibility of the leagues,” said Daugherty.
Looking ahead, the department is already exploring new opportunities. Plans include developing longer intramural leagues, hosting tournaments with other collegiate pickleball clubs across the Midwest and even returning as a site for the Midwest Pickleball Championships.
A Campus Rec Cornerstone for EIU
From addressing infrastructure challenges to weaving in community partnerships, the pickleball project is much more than a facility upgrade. For EIU, the new campus rec pickleball courts represent student interest, operational planning and a commitment to belonging — all while tapping into the nation’s fastest-growing sport.
