Top Southeast Colleges Set to Battle at APP’s Southeast Collegiate Regional
College pickleball isn’t taking a holiday break quite yet. The Association of Pickleball Players (APP) is set to host its Southeast Collegiate Regional at Diadem Pickleball Complex this weekend Dec. 6 and 7.
This tournament marks the fourth and final regional tournament of the semester hosted by APP in the buildup to its 2025 U.S. Collegiate National Championships in Cape Coral, Fl, March 28-30. Schools will have a chance to earn some of the last bids available to make the final field of 32 for nationals.
A Battle of the Top College Teams
The event will highlight some of the country’s best collegiate teams, including the University of Florida, Florida Atlantic, and the University of Virginia, which recently finished runner-up at DUPR’s national championship. However, these college players aren’t the only young competitors at Diadem this weekend.
Dallas, TX – The rise of youth talent in pickleball is undeniable, and nowhere was it more evident than at the third annual DUPR Collegiate National Championship. With around 500 players from 64 colleges and universities, the
Thomas Shields
APP is also hosting a Next Gen series event in conjunction with the collegiate tournament, allowing select players to compete in both. Next Gen provides players aged 23 and under with high-level competitive tournament exposure and access to elite coaching, making it a critical platform for the sport’s rising stars.
The Dink Media Team
“On show at the two events will be some of the brightest talents in collegiate competition, and the best up and coming players in the world, learning their craft at the highest level,” Ken Herrmann, founder of the APP.
APP hopes to continue hosting events just like this one.
“We’re building on what we’ve learned this year, and have a very strong foundation to continue to lead this great sport at collegiate level,” said Herrmann.
Spectators will witness the unique convergence of team-based and individual talent, creating an electric atmosphere for pickleball fans.
Tournament Groups and Format
The two-day collegiate tournament features group play on Friday and an elimination bracket on Saturday. The 12 participating teams are divided into three groups of four, which will determine seeding for Saturday’s bracket play.
Group 1
- Florida Atlantic University
- University of Virginia
- University of Florida (Blue)
- Florida State University #1
Group 2
- University of Iowa
- University of Florida (Orange)
- Florida State University #2
- Stanford University
Group 3
- University of Florida (White)
- Jacksonville State
- University of Central Florida
- University of Maine
Each match will include one mixed doubles match, men’s and women’s singles, and a men’s and women’s doubles match. Doubles matches count for two points while singles will count for one. If the score is tied 4-4, the winner of the mixed doubles match will serve as the tiebreaker.
College Scholarships Reach $100k
APP believes in providing opportunities for college players who hope to compete at the next level.
They take pride in providing college players “top-level competition, against rivals from across the country, ending up with the chance to show how good your school is on national tv.”
Jake Bower
“On top of that, we provide high levels of prize money, and national exposure through our marketing of the events and the players taking part,” said Herrmann.
This semester alone, college pickleball has experienced both a surge in popularity and participation. Between APP, DUPR and the NCPA 14 regional tournaments were held this fall, awarding over $100,000 in combined scholarship prize money.
The prize money incentivizes top-tier athletes to compete, showcasing how far college pickleball has come in a short time. No longer just a casual club sport, it has evolved into a legitimate competitive avenue for those seeking to excel at the highest levels.
Over 80 different schools have participated in a tournament as well, with that number expected to grow even more in 2025 as new programs emerge. College pickleball is on the rise.