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Liz and Emilie started to play pickleball as a weekly getaway. It is easy to forget the need to refresh and have fun, especially as busy, working moms.

Their inspiring motto, “Try Harder,” applies to their daily routine with family, work, and pickleball. The two friends love traveling and competing against players of different backgrounds, ages, genders, and abilities.

With the DUPR Waterfall format, of four competitive matches all within a four-hour period, they've discovered how to make the most of their time and be able to play pickleball and still return to work or other commitments afterward.

Liz and Emilie's friendship is a reminder that pickleball is a way to create memories, as well as build and maintain lasting friendships. They support each other, compete, and strengthen their bond on and off-court.

What do you like the most about pickleball?

"The competition is fun, meeting different people from all over. We played in a bunch of different states. It has been a really fun adventure getting to see and meet new people," said Liz.

"You get your energy out; you get to do something where you lose yourself. We laugh every single time that we get out there, and we just have fun," said Emilie.

How was your first experience playing at a Waterfall event?

"I like the quickness of it. There was not a lot of downtime, which was nice. We played four matches within an hour; that constant play was really beneficial. Even when we were not playing, they had courts reserved where we could warm up and continue to play. It was a really positive experience, " said Liz.

"Also, when people would lose, they could play on the other courts. It is not like all of sudden you had to just leave, and you could still enjoy the whole experience of the Waterfall," said Emilie.

What have you enjoyed most about the Waterfall format?

"The DUPR Waterfalls are great to be able to play, have fun, and be comfortable with yourself. I feel like it's not as much of a competition where people are shoving the ball down your throat and thinking they're better than you or you're better than me. And it moves quickly and it's fast which is a big deal, especially when you have to fit things into your busy schedule. We have our kids but we can still do things for ourselves," said Emilie.

"With these DUPR Waterfall tournaments, I was still able to go to work that afternoon after a morning tournament, so that's pretty awesome," said Liz.

How has the DUPR rating system enhanced your pickleball experience?

"I do like the idea that with DUPR, it's genderless and ageless. It really is strictly a rating. It gives more competition, especially when it is the two of us against two guys who are younger than us and look like they are in a lot better shape, but it is the rating system that keeps everything leveled, which is fun and makes us play better," said Liz.

Grab a friend and sign up for Waterfall Nationals today. Make memories, enjoy some pickleball, and meet new people, all while playing for the chance to win 20,000+ in prize money. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss. Sign up today! Registration ends Friday, October 6.

View the full video story on our YouTube channel.

Jake is a software engineer from Minnesota who loves pickleball and how it brings people together of all ages and sports backgrounds. He first played in a DUPR Waterfall Tournament at Lucky Shots Pickleball Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

DUPR first introduced the waterfall concept back in July 2022 when they announced the first ever Newport Beach DUPR Waterfall Presented by Takeya, which at the time had the largest prize purse in pickleball history at $100,000.

A DUPR Waterfall is a newer tournament format and came to life in 2023 with thousands of players entering into hundreds of tournaments across the country. It offers players four competitive matches all within a four-hour period. Players sign up with or without a partner and DUPR will create brackets of 16 teams based on the rating of the highest DUPR-rated player of the team.

What do you like about DUPR Waterfalls?

"I’d recommend Waterfalls to other pickleball players because they’re a cool twist on traditional pickleball tournaments. It’s exciting how everyone in your bracket plays at the same time, and it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, you still get to play 4 matches," said Jake.

What makes people want to play in a DUPR Waterfall?

Jake said, “I was excited about how everyone in your bracket plays at the same time and that no matter if you win or lose you get to play four matches.”  

Most pickleball players will agree that the downside to the standard pickleball tournament is that there is too much downtime, or too much time in between matches, whereas in a waterfall format, players can expect to play for a specific four-hour timeframe on a given day.

Jake Bendickson played in a DUPR Waterfall in 2023, won a platinum ticket, and will have free entry into the DUPR Waterfall Nationals next month. The DUPR Waterfall Nationals takes place in Rockwall, TX on October 12-15, 2023, and there will be over $20,000 in prize money given away.

About Lucky Shots Pickleball Club:

Lucky Shots Pickleball Club has over twenty five hundred players on the DUPR platform and they are based in a historical office/warehouse originally built in 1947 for the Foley Manufacturing Company. Over the last several years, First & First has been actively transforming the property, which led to converting 40,000 square feet of the building into the Lucky Shots Pickleball facility. More info on their website.

Keep up with the collegiate regionals, all leading up to the 2023 November National Championship. Stay tuned for more updates! The Regional Championships were a testament to the hard work, dedication, passion, and growth of collegiate athletes. As this chapter closes, a new one opens as the teams prepare to compete at the National Championship.

Watching these young athletes has shown us that the future of the sport is in great hands. We look forward to seeing you all coming together and competing for the ultimate prize. The stakes are higher, the competition is fiercer, and the expectations are greater.

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Check out the list of regional champions:

- Georgia Regional - Clemson

- Arizona Regional - Utah Tech

- Minnesota Regional - Michigan

- North Carolina Regional - UNC

- Ohio Regional - Maryland

- Oklahoma Regional - Mississippi State

- Colorado Regional - Utah Tech

- Utah Regional - Utah Tech

- Texas Regional - TCU

- Florida Regional - FAU

- Michigan Regional - Indiana

- Nevada Regional - Utah Tech

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Full list of National participants. For more info, please visit DUPR Collegiate.

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Nevada Regional Championship

October 7-8, 2023

Henderson, NV

Nine schools competed last weekend at the Nevada Regional, closing the regular season for DUPR Collegiate Pickleball.

It was the last chance to secure a spot for the six schools that still needed a bid for Nationals. However, it proved challenging, as the aspiring teams faced the western powerhouses Grand Canyon University (GCU) and Utah Tech.

Utah Tech put its two teams in the semifinals against GCU and the University of California San Diego (UCSD). As they advanced through the semifinals, the two Utah Tech teams faced each other in the finals for the third consecutive time this season.

UCSD secured its bid to Nationals, while the University of Arizona faced off against Arizona State University to determine the last qualifying spot. The University of Arizona won, becoming the second Arizona team to secure their place at Nationals this year.

The top schools have just over a month to prepare until they hit the courts in Atlanta for the DUPR Collegiate National Championships.

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Michigan Regional Championship

September 30 - October 1, 2023

Rochester Hills, MI

With the fall season coming to an end, the Michigan Regional showcased 11 schools and 90 players competing for two of the final remaining bids to the Collegiate National Championship.

Virginia Tech, Ohio State, and Michigan University faced fierce opposition from schools like Wisconsin-Whitewater and Case Western.

The Indiana University squad won an incredible Dreambreaker against Ohio State in the semi-finals and a convincing 3-0 victory over the number one-seeded Miami University.

In their first-ever regionals appearance, Indiana University and Miami University have earned their tickets to the 2023 DUPR Collegiate National Championships.

Next week will conclude the 2023 regular season with the Nevada Regional Championship, where hopeful schools must fight veteran teams Utah Tech and Grand Canyon to earn their bids for Nationals.

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Florida Regional Championship

September 23-24, 2023

Boca Raton, FL

The most competitive Collegiate Regional Championship took place in Boca Raton, Florida, with 24 teams from 17 schools battling to earn one of the few remaining spots available for the Collegiate National Championship on November 17.

Auburn, Florida State, and the University of Florida battled for every point against the pickleball newcomers Florida Atlantic, the University of Miami, and the University of Georgia.

Multiple rain delays weren't enough to stop Florida Atlantic University from becoming the new regional superpower.

Florida Atlantic and the University of Georgia guaranteed their spots at the National Championship in November.

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Texas Regional Championship

September 16-17, 2023

Humble, TX

This weekend wraps up the DUPR Collegiate Texas Regional Championship, where nine teams from six universities battled on Life Time's newest outdoor pickleball facility in Humble, Texas.

The teams traveled across the region to compete for the title of Texas Regional Champions, a bid to the Collegiate National Championship, and their share of the $4,000 prize pool.

In the finals match, Texas Christian University (TCU) and Florida State University stood undefeated and faced each other for the first time in their school's history. Ultimately, the TCU Horned Frogs emerged victorious winning the Texas Regional Championship.

TCU had already earned their bid to Nationals at the Individual Championship that took place in April, but Florida State University and the University of Texas earned their respective bids.

Next week, the collegiate tour madness continues with the DUPR Collegiate Florida Regional Championship in Boca Raton. This tournament, which is the largest regional event of the year, will host 24 teams.

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Utah Regional Championship

September 9-10, 2023

South Jordan, UT

Utah Tech dominated again despite solid opposition from Utah Valley and Utah State, winning its third straight Regional Championship.

Three teams (*#2 Utah Tech, #5 Utah State, and #8 Grand Canyon University) were veterans on the tour, with a spot locked in for the National Championship in November.

Other schools were debuting their teams in this tournament, including the University of Utah, Utah Valley University, Rick's College, and Northwest Nazarene University.

*Numbers reflect the GAMMA Power Rankings from September 1, 2023.

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For the full 2023 DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Schedule, check out our page: HERE

Schools can attend any regional they want, and can bring as many players as they want! Email us at college@mydupr.com if you’re interested in bringing a team to a regional.

Think you’re a hardcore picklehead? Chances are, you’re no match for Michael Cobb who has played 1420 games in one year, averaging 27 games per week.

At 1400+ matches, you hold the record for most matches entered on DUPR, out of hundreds of thousands of users. When do you even sleep?

I have a special situation here in Kansas City, as I've been the regional director of iPickle Nation for three and a half years now. We run Round Robins five days a week using the DUPR system. It's the best thing out there, because it helps us put people in the right levels. It just seems to create really good competitive games. We probably run 15,000 matches through DUPR in a year.

Whenever the level is high enough, I play myself. That’s how I've been averaging 27 games a week, which is how I’ve gotten 1420 matches entered in DUPR since August of 2022 — so that's only little over a year’s worth. I don’t have a set goal I’m aiming for. As long as I can continue playing, I'll do it.  

What got you hooked on pickleball?

About four and a half years ago, I was at a community center working out in Kansas City, and I went to go get a drink at the water fountain and it was down below where the gymnasium was. I looked in there and saw people playing a weird game. There was a guy at the fountain, I asked him: “what is that?” and he goes, “it’s pickleball, you ought to try that sometime.”

The next day I was playing, and I've been hooked ever since. There’s a competitiveness to it, but you can play recreationally if you want to. That's the great thing about pickleball — it’s an easy game for anybody to play, but to master it, there's a little more to it. And also the camaraderie. There's no discrimination on who can play this game. I also think it's going to keep elderly people living longer, honestly.

What was your favorite match you ever entered?

About two and a half years ago, we went to St Louis to qualify for the Nationals. My partner — his name is Raven Pier — does everything barefoot. It’s amazing. He walks out in the snow, barefoot. If it's 100 degrees out, it'll be barefoot. On the pickleball court, he’s barefoot. So the last match of the day, we had to win it to qualify, and it was an intense match. It probably lasted close to 40 minutes, with a lot of back and forth. I made some phenomenal plays, and so did he. We ended up winning 15-13, and we got to go to Nationals. That was definitely my best match that I can remember.

What about the worst one — the one you wish you could forget?

The worst match I remember goes hand in hand with the best: we went to nationals and got our butts smoked. It was in California, and they forced Raven to wear shoes. I told him the night before when we were practicing, “Hey, Raven, let me give you a pair of socks”, knowing that playing barefoot with shoes might be hard on his feet. He said he’d be okay and played without socks. During practice, I noticed he wasn't moving as well, and usually he's a phenomenal player, so I knew something wasn't right. Well, after the matches were done and we had lost, he took off his shoes and he had bloody heels.

How do you feel about the changes to the DUPR rating algorithm?

When they changed the algorithm, it seemed drastic. We went from like a chess type algorithm to strictly almost on wins and losses and it affected people. My community was asking me, “what’s going on?” and I had to explain you were just revamping the algorithm. But I do think it's a great system. Of course, there's going to be some tweaks to it that need to be done. If I'm not mistaken, there's wins and losses and the first type of algorithm being mixed together now, so it has definitely improved tremendously in the past months.

Which features would you want to see added to DUPR?

If there was a way to check in-depth stats for the last hundred games, or eventually, once you get enough data, you can bring up a player and get insight into your stats with that specific player.

What do you say to players who complain about their DUPR rating?

90% of players will think they're better than they are. I mean, that's just a given. And that’s ok, but it means they have trouble accepting their classification at first. I always tell them, you're just going to have to play and keep it going because the more games you get in, the more accurate it'll be.

Full interview on YouTube: HERE

Check out Michael Cobb’s Profile: HERE

At DUPR, we believe that fair, level-based play creates the most enjoyable experience for pickleball players and is a key driver of adoption for the sport. Today, we’re proud to announce a joint partnership with Pickleball Software and Ace Pickleball Club to ensure its players can experience the most competitive and enjoyable matches possible, based on the most accurate rating system. This will elevate the game for all players.

“This partnership underscores our unwavering dedication to the sport of pickleball here at DUPR. We are thrilled to collaborate with Ace Pickleball Club and Pickleball Software, uniting to deliver players an unparalleled experience that combines competitive fairness with precise data accuracy,“ said Tito Machado, Head of DUPR.

“Ace Pickleball Club is committed to providing our members and guests with the optimal pickleball playing experience. We’re thrilled to be partnering with DUPR to ensure our players can experience the most competitive, fair, and enjoyable matches possible while helping to drive a high level of accuracy in their ratings,” said Mookie McDevitt, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Ace Pickleball Club.

"Pickleball continues to grow because of a highly addictive community, great software tools for management and the growth of premier facilities like Ace Pickleball Club. Pickleball Software is eager to help streamline the technical side for Ace players by connecting DUPR's Universal standard to the app, promoting competitiveness and growth at every Ace club in the nation,” said Scott Hause, Founder of Pickleball Software.

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About DUPR

DUPR is the gold standard in Pickleball ratings and event management, and is the official ratings system for MLP and PPA. In November of 2022, DUPR successfully launched a collegiate pickleball national championship in which 16 co-ed teams participated using the same unique team format used in MLP.

For more information on DUPR, visit the official website and follow DUPR on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

About ACE Pickleball Club

Ace Pickleball Club is the fastest growing indoor pickleball franchise in the world, with over 50 facilities currently in development across 11 states. Each Club will feature between 8 to 16 regulation size courts in a climate controlled environment, and the membership based club is focused on providing optimal playing conditions for everyone from beginners to experts. Ace Pickleball Club began offering franchises for development in February of 2023, opening their first corporate-owned location in Roswell, GA in July 2023.

About Pickleball Software

Pickleball Software, powered by Sports Carnival Software, is the premier all-in-one facility management solution designed to streamline operations for pickleball clubs and enthusiasts alike. PS empowers pickleball clubs to manage every aspect of their operations to help scale and grow their community. It offers a versatile, customizable solution for clubs to oversee player members, staff, events, court reservations, lessons, leagues and more.

DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with the Asia Federation of Pickleball (AFP). AFP has adopted DUPR as its official ranking platform for the 2023 Asia Pickleball Games, which will take place October 6-9 in Taichung City, Taiwan.

The first ever Asia Pickleball Games are representative of the sport's growth in the Asian market. Open to players of all skill levels, the event will showcase the passion, camaraderie, and athleticism that define pickleball. DUPR and AFP are excited about the potential this partnership holds to introduce pickleball to new audiences, promote level-based play through the sport’s most accurate rating system, and foster a sense of unity.

“I am honored to be a part of this pivotal moment in pickleball history. Our commitment to an accurate rating and innovation aligns seamlessly with the Asia Federation of Pickleball's vision, and together, we are dedicated to providing players and fans with an unforgettable experience. We envision the Asia Pickleball Games as a platform for cultural exchange, athleticism, and sportsmanship, and we are eager to contribute to the growth of pickleball not only as a sport but as a global phenomenon,” said Ryan Maher, Head of Commercial at DUPR.

“We are excited about the collaboration with DUPR. Their innovative ranking solution aligns perfectly with our mission to provide 44 Asia nations with a seamless, transparent, efficient and user-friendly ranking experience. DUPR is the appointed ranking platform for the 2023 Asia Pickleball Games and we look forward to leveraging the DUPR platform for future Asian tournaments,” said Jimmy Tan, CEO of Asia Federation of Pickleball.

The Asia Pickleball Games is open exclusively to DUPR Users from Asian countries. To register for the event, a DUPR user must join the club via this link. All event details are in the player handbook published on the Asia Federation of Pickleball website.

About DUPR

DUPR is the gold standard in Pickleball ratings and event management, and is the official ratings system for MLP and PPA. In November of 2022, DUPR successfully launched a collegiate Pickleball national championship in which 16 co-ed teams participated using the same unique team format used in MLP.

For more information on DUPR, visit the official website and follow DUPR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Asia Federation of Pickleball

Established in 2020 and headquartered in Singapore, Asia Federation of Pickleball (AFP) is a not-for-profit organization and missioned to work collaboratively with 45 countries/states to participate in the Asian Games. On another scale level, AFP is working with 11 countries in hope to participate in Southeast Asia (SEA) Games 2025/2027/2029 in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore respectively.

Through tournaments, coaching, and partnerships, AFP aims to expand the sport's reach and create a vibrant pickleball community. In emphasizing fair play and integrity, AFP would enforce standardized rules and ethical practices. AFP strives to make pickleball accessible to all individuals and aims to play a pivotal role in advancing pickleball across Asia.
www.afpickleball.org

facebook.com/AFPickleball/

instagram.com/afpickleball/

Leading club management platform CourtReserve is extending its offerings and elevating players’ pickleball experience thanks to a new strategic partnership with DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) - pickleball’s most accurate global rating system that is trusted by pro leagues, clubs, and players around the world.

The partnership will see a seamless integration directly into CourtReserve’s advanced reservation system, allowing clubs and players to better match skills and experience.

From the end of September, club accounts on CourtReserve will be able to automatically sync all player ratings straight from DUPR. Clubs can manage players and events based on specific DUPR ranges, create leagues based on ratings, and foster stronger communities with players of the same ability.

Speaking on the partnership, Tim Owens, CourtReserve Co-Founder said: “Pairing Pickleball’s leading club management system with the number one rating system is an absolute no-brainer. Not only does it give all our clubs access to the most accurate, most comprehensive pickleball player ratings, it makes it easier than ever for the entire pickleball community to join in with matches and tournaments tailored to their skill level.”

Tito Machado, DUPR Head of Operations added: “We’re really excited to announce this strategic partnership between two of pickleball’s key players. It allows us to add even more value to the community and foster a more fun, more competitive player experience across the board.”

The partnership with DUPR is part of CourtReserve’s mission to drive innovation and elevate pickleball clubs worldwide. It’s another clear step in the organization’s efforts to deliver best-in-class technology and software that elevates the player experience. It will also support additional new features within CourtReserve’s platform - such as advanced League and Organized Play.

The DUPR integration will be available for clubs to activate within their existing CourtReserve account by the end of September.

About CourtReserve

CourtReserve is the leading all-in-one court reservation & club management platform that helps tennis and pickleball clubs run their business with ease and confidence. It provides a flexible, configurable set up for clubs to manage players, staff, events, court bookings, lessons and much more. With an online scheduler and customized member portal, players can easily see court availability and sign-up for events right from their computer or mobile device.

Learn more at https://courtreserve.com.

About DUPR

DUPR is the gold standard in Pickleball ratings and event management, and is the official ratings system for MLP and PPA. In November of 2022, DUPR successfully launched a collegiate Pickleball national championship in which 16 co-ed teams participated using the same unique team format used in MLP.

For more information on DUPR, visit theofficial website and follow DUPR onFacebook, Twitter,Instagram, andTikTok.‍

For further details, contact: CourtReserve, via: support@courtreserve.com

Collegiate picklers, listen up: this fall semester, collegiate pickleball is coming to you!

So if this summer you’ve been practicing your dink shots, lobs, and overhead slams, why not sign up for a DUPR Collegiate Pickleball event in your area and take a shot at gaining eternal glory and winning some bonus scholarship money?

We are excited to kick off the fall semester at DUPR, and put on five more Regionals and the 2nd Collegiate National Championship (CNC)! Detailed in this article is updated information about bids, CNC registration, our new club guide, and the remaining Regionals.

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As of October 17th, 2023: These are the 36 schools that have obtained a bid to CNC:

- Clemson

- JMU

- Utah Tech

- GCU

- Michigan

- UW-W

- UNC

- TCU

- Florida

- UVA

- NC State

- Maryland

- Ohio State

- MS State

- Texas A&M

- Utah State

- CU-Boulder

- Utah Valley

- UofU

- FSU

- UT Austin

- FAU

- Georiga

- Miami (FL)

- UNF

- Auburn

- Indiana

- Miami (OH)

- Virginia Tech

- Villanova

- GCSU

- Arizona St.

- Iowa

- Duke

- KSU

- UConn

In order to participate in the Team Bracket in the Collegiate National Championship on November 17-19, 2023 a program must meet these two requirements:

1. Obtain a bid
2. Attend at least one Collegiate Regional

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Your school can bring players to participate in the Challenger Bracket without having a bid. A bid is only required to play in the Team Bracket. All players in all brackets must be taking at least 6 credit hours at the school they are representing.

As a reminder, there are 36 bids to be given out. 10 more bids will be given out at the remaining Regionals (2 at each Regional). The remaining 9 bids will be decided by the DUPR Collegiate Advisory Committee.

Here main the factors we are considering for these bids (this is not an exhaustive list):

• How many collegiate regionals a program has attended
• How many events a program has run on their DUPR Digital Club
• How many dual matches against other schools a program has played
• How many members are in their DUPR Digital Club
  

Collegiate Pickleball National Championship Registration

Registration for the CNC is now live! Here is the link to the event on DUPR.

In order to make registration as smooth as possible, here is the link to the CNC Registration Guide outlining all of the necessary information.

Listed below are the high-level bullet points from the guide:

• Dates: November 17-November 19, 2023
• Registration Deadline: October 17, midnight EDT
• Address: 6350 Courtside Dr NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092
• Entry Fee: $75 per player for the Team Bracket, $25 per player for the Challenger Bracket

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Collegiate National Championship Scholarship Money

For the team bracket, money is awarded based on how far your team advances.

Play-ins $500 (x4) $2000

Quarterfinals $1000 (x4) $4000

Semifinals $2500 (x2) $5000

Runner-Up $5000 (x1) $5000

Champion $15,000 (x1) $15,000

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Total $31,000

This year, there will also be prizes for the challenger bracket!

• $1000 will go to the college that brings the most challenger bracket teams
• $1000 will go to the college that wins the most challenger bracket games
• Prizes for the winning team of each bracket

Club Guide

DUPR is committed to supporting the growth and development of pickleball programs at colleges across the country. In order to help these clubs, we have created the DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Club Guide, which is a 15+ page document on everything you need to know to run a pickleball club. Here is the link to the club guide. If you have any questions about the contents of the club guide, or about starting a pickleball club at your school, you can email us at college@mydupr.com.

Fall Semester Regionals

Here are the remaining Regionals for 2023:

Utah Regional - September 9-10

10996 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095

Texas Regional - September 16-17

13600 Will Clayton Pkwy, Humble, TX 77346

Florida Regional - September 23-24

1499 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431

Michigan Regional - September 30-October 1

200 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307

Nevada Regional - October 7-8

121 Carnegie St, Henderson, NV 89052

Schools can attend any regional they want, and can bring as many players as they want!

Email us at college@mydupr.com if you’re interested in bringing a team to a regional.