The New University Standard? Pickleball Courts for the Girls

Pickleball has become the go-to sport for those who prefer not to cry on the Pilates reformer. The trend has officially hit universities, too, signaling it's not going anywhere anytime soon.

If you're new to the sport, it's a beginner-friendly game that "resembles tennis in which players use paddles to hit a perforated plastic ball over a net," Oxford shared.  According to Inside Higher Ed, universities across the United States are building pickleball courts for the girls. "As demand grows, colleges are building pickleball courts to accommodate student preferences and encourage them to be physically active. The University of the Pacific was the first college to open a pickleball and padel complex in 2024."

"In the last 12 months, Arkansas Tech University, Eastern Mennonite University, Eastern Illinois University, Columbus State University, Wright State University, Penn State University, Duke University, Troy University, the University of Alabama, Tulane University and Baylor University have all announced plans to open, create or renovate spaces to accommodate pickleball players." Alongside pickleball, other sports Gen Z students have gravitated toward pilates -- hey, Pilates princesses -- and rock climbing.

While you're here, this WNBA player calls out a worrying fandom trend... Elsewhere, check out this guide to becoming a WNBA stylist.

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