CLEVELAND, Miss. — Delta State University is excited to announce the addition of twelve permanent outdoor pickleball courts that will open to the public Thursday, November 7, with a grand opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m. The courts, located behind the Young Mauldin Dining Hall will serve Delta State students, faculty, staff, and the Cleveland community.
The construction of these courts honors a long legacy of pickleball at Delta State, which has been a part of campus life for over 35 years. Instructors such as former Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) chair Dr. Milton Wilder and HPER professor Dr. Andrea Farrow first incorporated pickleball into coursework in the 1987-1988 school year, adding it to the Dual and Individual Sports course. Wilder, who initially taught badminton in the course, noted that the addition of pickleball offered a second sport for physical education classes without a significant expense, due to its similarities in court dimensions and equipment to badminton.
Pickleball quickly gained popularity at Delta State, with HPER faculty, staff, and students regularly playing in Wyatt Gym. Over the years, alumni and current HPER instructors, including current instructors Britnee Smith and Casey Bourgoyne-Charles, have continued to integrate pickleball into their courses, keeping the sport’s legacy alive on campus.
In the early 1990s, pickleball was added as an intramural sport at Delta State, spearheaded by then-Intramural Director Shane Handy. Since then, pickleball has remained a staple of the intramural program, enjoyed by thousands of students, alumni, and staff.
The plans for permanent courts emerged in 2023, driven by student government leaders, including then-SGA President Haley Rooks and current SGA President Hayden Kirkhart. Their efforts, along with support from the Delta State community and local businesses, made this project possible. Delta State’s Assistant Director of Collegiate Recreation and Wellness, Kyle Partridge, helped secure a donation from Cannon Buick GMC of Cleveland and additional funding from the City of Cleveland thanks to a partnership with Cleveland Parks Commission Director and HPER alumnus Christian Johnston.
Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Eddie Lovin said, “A project of this magnitude shows how a student-led effort can become a reality on a college campus. Through collaboration with university departments and engaging the local community, our Student Government Association has taken a student-led vision and created an impactful reality that will be felt for generations to come through the usage of these pickleball courts. Together as a community, we empower students to lead initiatives that not only enhance their campus experience but also strengthen our ties with the community.”
Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the DSU Foundation Dr. Suzette Matthews said, “We are extremely grateful to Cannon Motors and the City of Cleveland for partnering with us on this great community asset. Having such great relationships allows us to pursue these types of projects that are beneficial not only to the DSU campus community, but the community at large.”
The new courts will feature resurfacing by Delta Courts of Lake Village, Arkansas, and new LED lighting installed by Robinson Electric. The courts will be open to the public, with reservation options available for a fee.
These new courts symbolize the commitment of Delta State University and the Cleveland community to enhancing recreational opportunities for all.
For more information about the courts and HPER programs at Delta State University, visit www.deltastate.edu/nursing-health-sciences/health-physical-education-recreation/.
