Arizona Christian University (ACU) is excited to announce the addition of Pickleball as the newest intercollegiate sport offering for Firestorm Athletics.

"We are thrilled to officially welcome Pickleball to the Firestorm family," said Dr. Peter Dryer, Director of Athletics at Arizona Christian University. "Pickleball's growth in Arizona makes it a perfect fit for our student-athletes, and we are committed to providing them with a championship-level experience - spiritually, academically, and athletically."

Pickleball has exploded in popularity both nationally and here in Arizona, which consistently ranks among the fastest-growing states for the sport. ACU's own pickleball club has mirrored this trend, growing rapidly in just a few short years.

The Firestorm will compete in the National Collegiate Pickleball Association (NCPA) as well as DUPR Collegiate contests, ensuring a robust and competitive schedule for student-athletes.

Noah Suemnick, Founder and CEO of the NCPA, comments, "We're thrilled to welcome Arizona Christian University as they launch their pickleball program and begin competing under the NCPA banner. They join nearly 150 schools nationwide already competing — and this is only the beginning for collegiate pickleball."

ACU's Pickleball program will call The Pickleball Space in Glendale its home court. The Pickleball Space has been a strong partner with the University in recent years, and its premier facilities provide an ideal venue for training and competition.  "We are honored to partner with Arizona Christian University as the official home of their new pickleball club," comments TPS leadership. "At The Pickleball Space, our mission is to grow the game by creating opportunities for all players from first time participants to competitive athletes to thrive in a welcoming community. This collaboration is an exciting step forward in showcasing pickleball at the collegiate level, and we look forward to supporting ACU's students both on and off the courts." 

Stay Connected

• Student-athletes interested in competing for ACU Pickleball can complete the recruit form here: RECRUIT ME FORM
• Interested coaching candidates may apply at: JOB POST TO APPLY
• Follow along with upcoming news about Firestorm Pickleball on instagram @FirestormPickleball
• Interested in connecting?  Email pickleball@arizonachristian.edu 

About Arizona Christian University
Arizona Christian University is an accredited, private, non-profit, Christian university in sunny Glendale, Arizona offering a wide variety of degrees preparing students for successful careers, while remaining committed to its vision of transforming culture with biblical truth. Students actively engage in biblically integrated academics and gain a liberal arts foundation with critical thinking skills that last a lifetime. ACU draws students from more than 40 states and 30 countries, and the Firestorm compete athletically in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). For more information about ACU and how to apply for admission, visit arizonachristian.edu.