USD is planning to remove the pickleball courts at the Sports Center—a decision that would eliminate one of the most heavily used and community-driven recreational spaces on campus. These courts support physical well-being, foster connection, and serve as a hub for tournaments, Club Pickleball practices, Campus Recreation classes, and informal play. They are consistently in high demand and play a meaningful role in campus life.

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, largely due to its accessibility and minimal equipment requirements—making it especially well-suited for a campus environment. At USD, the courts are frequently at capacity during peak hours. Removing them would significantly reduce opportunities for recreation and community engagement, leaving only two shared-use courts on campus that would rarely be available. This renovation would remove access to a sport that many members of the community rely on for connection, stress relief, and physical activity. This decision would also reduce the value of Sports Center access for employees and their guests, many of whom rely on these courts as a key benefit.

Peer institutions across San Diego have expanded access to pickleball in response to growing demand. Schools such as SDSU, UCSD, and Point Loma Nazarene all have dedicated pickleball courts, allowing a space for students to practice and compete on competitive pickleball teams.   Removing these courts would place USD at a disadvantage, forcing students and employees to seek costly off-campus alternatives. To many of us, this is not just a minor inconvenience, but a significant barrier to accessing a sport that has allowed us to stay healthy, and active, as well as find meaningful connection and community (see testimonials below). Therefore, lacking accessible on-campus courts could potentially impact decisions about where to study or work, particularly when compared to access at other local institutions. Beyond recreation, pickleball contributes to student engagement, campus culture, and inclusivity—values that align directly with the university’s mission. At a time when universities are competing to attract and retain students and staff, removing a popular, accessible recreational option will hurt the USD students, faculty, staff, and guests alike.

We are not opposed to expanding athletic programs like beach volleyball—but it should not come at the expense of an existing, thriving community. Removing all of the pickleball courts is not the answer. We therefore urge the university to utilize alternative options, such as: preserving half of the courts, identifying alternative spaces to build new courts, or investing in additional facilities. 

We ask the University of San Diego administration to fully consider the impact of this decision and to prioritize solutions that preserve access to this sport while also supporting new programs. Please sign this petition to support keeping the pickleball courts open and maintaining a valued part of campus life.