This summer, DUPR partnered with a group of passionate collegiate players who stepped into leadership roles as Collegiate Summer Ambassadors. Their mission? To grow the game on campuses, build community, and showcase how pickleball is shaping the next generation of athletes.

Over the past few months, these ambassadors:

• Landed new sponsorships and brand deals thanks to DUPR’s exposure.
  
• Participated in internal social media challenges with unique prizes.
  
• Received direct feedback and guidance on how to build their personal brands in the pickleball industry.
  

The result: a summer of growth, creativity, and impact, both on and off the court.

Abbey Oliver

Abbey, a senior at Drury University, the first-ever pickleball varsity program in the nation, balances academics with competition as a key member of the school’s pickleball team. Her passion for the sport has quickly grown into opportunities for leadership, media, and community-building through DUPR.

 "This opportunity has given me all of that and more, offering a new perspective on the game."

During her ambassador journey, Abbey also became a DUPR Coach, creating a video that earned more than 21,000 views. Now, she’s using that certification to officially rate players, further solidifying her role as both a competitor and a leader in the collegiate pickleball community.

Mary Monson

At just 16 years old, Mary already plays college pickleball at Utah Tech University while traveling nationally and internationally to compete in pro tournaments. She thrives on collaboration, working with other ambassadors and DUPR’s media team to create engaging collegiate content.

‍"It has been so much fun being a DUPR ambassador and helping grow pickleball on the college scene. I enjoy collaborating to create fun content that promotes the sport on the collegiate level."

Learn more about Mary’s story here. 

Tristan Miller‍

Tristan joined the DUPR Collegiate Ambassador program as a way to build connections and gain visibility in the pickleball industry. After just a year of playing, his dedication to both the game and the community has already created meaningful opportunities.

‍"DUPR has helped me grow both in the community as well as in my social media presence, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity."

Caden McCray

For Caden, pickleball started as a hobby but quickly grew into a leadership role on campus. As a DUPR Ambassador, he’s promoted the sport among college athletes, organized events, and inspired more students to join the game.

‍"Through these experiences, I’ve gained not only valuable opportunities but also lasting connections, and I’m excited to continue contributing to the growth of pickleball."

Together, Tristan and Caden have become true “pickleball besties,” teaming up to create content that showcases both the fun and competitive side of the sport. Their chemistry has even caught the attention of pickleball brands like pickleball_besties who have reached out to collaborate with them.

Heather Kim

Heather’s pickleball journey began as a family sport, but her competitive edge quickly set her apart. From her tennis background, she transitioned into pickleball and became a Top 12 junior player in the U.S., now competing in pro events proudly sponsored by Selkirk. As president of the University of Connecticut Club, Heather leads the charge in expanding pickleball on campus.

‍"I became a DUPR ambassador because I love the competition and vibes of DUPR collegiate events, and I’m very excited to help promote these opportunities for players nationwide."

Heather is one of the many collegiate athletes working their way to the pro pickleball world. Check out this blog on how a former collegiate champ upset Tyson McGuffin on at a PPA pickleball tournament. 

Lilly Jennings

Lilly started playing pickleball three years ago, but this summer she doubled down on consistency and training as a DUPR ambassador. With eyes on making the Alabama Pickleball Club team, she used the ambassador program as extra motivation to practice and grow.

"I wanted to have some experience working with leadership and pickleball over the summer to transfer that to the pickleball club. I can’t wait to see what pickleball has to offer in the fall!"

The Fall season has already started with four collegiate pickleball tournaments happening the weekend of September 27-28. Check out Fall’s Collegiate Pickleball Schedule here. 

Eli Eliason

After competing for the University of Tennessee, Eli started the Georgia Tech competitive pickleball team, carving out a path for future players. His first full collegiate season showed him just how powerful the DUPR network could be.

"Being able to represent the collegiate tour and make connections has been a blast for the past few months."

If your school doesn’t have a pickleball team yet, check out this step-by-step guide on how to create one. 

Dylan Borowsky

At the University of Richmond, Dylan has grown his club program into one of the most active communities on campus. His ambassador journey allowed him to connect schools and promote events, combining his love for the sport with opportunities to expand its reach.

‍"Being part of this program has let me combine my love for the game with the opportunity to help it reach even more players."

Building the Future of Collegiate Pickleball

These ambassadors represent the future of the sport: athletes who aren’t just competing, but also building the culture, content, and community of pickleball at the collegiate level. With new sponsorships, stronger networks, and valuable media experience under their belts, they’ve set the bar high for what it means to be a DUPR ambassador.

We couldn’t be more excited to watch their journeys unfold and to continue supporting them as leaders in the fastest-growing sport in America.

Interested in becoming a DUPR Collegiate Ambassador? Learn more here.

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