The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) announced today a major initiative to expand collegiate pickleball through a partnership with the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA), Selkirk Sport, and USA Pickleball.
The collaboration will introduce the APP Selkirk Collegiate Series , now officially sanctioned by USA Pickleball, making it the only collegiate pickleball tour sanctioned by the governing body. The series will include seven regional qualifiers across the country and conclude with the 2026 APP Selkirk U.S. Collegiate Championships in Cape Coral, Florida. A total of $85,000 in prize money will be awarded—$5,000 at each qualifier and $50,000 at the championship.
Leadership and Structure Dominic Catalano, a 20-year pickleball veteran and APP Tour broadcaster, has been named Director of the Collegiate Series. He will be joined by professional player Susannah Barr, who will serve as College Player and Program Liaison.
The 2025-26 season will begin October 25-26 with a qualifier in Boise, Idaho, and travel to Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey before the national championships March 6-8, 2026, in Cape Coral, Florida. Chicken N Pickle, a longtime APP partner, will host several events.
Partner Roles Each organization will play a central role in supporting the growth of collegiate pickleball:
NIRSA : As the leader in collegiate recreation, NIRSA has designated the series as part of its Championship Series portfolio, w... FULL ARTICLE FOUND ON: https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/app-tour-nirsa-selkirk-and-usa-pickleball-partner-to-launch-collegiate-series/