{
    "title": "UCO Serves Up New Pickleball Court for Campus Community",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-06 13:00:03",
    "published_at": "2026-04-06 13:00:00",
    "url": "https://news.uco.edu/uco-serves-up-new-pickleball-courts-for-campus-community",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/n69d",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "April 6, 2026",
    "slug": "uco-serves-up-new-pickleball-courts-for-campus-community",
    "body": "<p>The University of Central Oklahoma&rsquo;s Department of Wellness and Sport recently celebrated the grand opening of its new outdoor pickleball court, located on the east side of the UCO Wellness Center. The new space marks the addition of a modern recreational amenity designed to promote campus wellness, connection and active engagement.</p><p>The court replaces the facility&rsquo;s former outdoor rock wall, transforming the area into a dynamic, multi-use space. The layout features one championship court that can easily convert into two recreational courts and includes full lighting for day and evening play.</p><p>&ldquo;We are excited to announce the opening of our new outdoor pickleball area at the UCO Wellness Center. These courts will support a variety of activities, including informal recreation, intramural programs, competitive sport club play and learn-to-play clinics,&rdquo; said Jeff Boyland, director of sport and recreation at UCO. </p><p>&ldquo;Wellness Center members will have the opportunity to experience one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States and around the world&mdash;day or night.&rdquo;</p><p>UCO President Todd G. Lamb joined Central mascots Buck and Buddy Broncho to officially open the court by playing an inaugural game.</p><p>The court is available to UCO students, faculty, staff and Wellness Center members by reservation during regular operating hours. Paddles and pickleballs are available for checkout for those who do not have their own equipment.</p><p>To learn more about UCO, visit <a href=\"http://go.uco.edu/wellness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">go.uco.edu/wellness</a>.</p><p style=\"text-align: center\">(end)</p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-489d10d5-4979-4b1c-8048-59764f115557\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/eee27d1a-e66c-4fc6-ba8f-5f011b0c5414/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Devan Wielgos\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Devan Wielgos</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Communications and Marketing Coordinator, UCO University Communications</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:dwielgos@uco.edu\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"dwielgos@uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>dwielgos@uco.edu</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:405-974-2127\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"405-974-2127\"><svg class=\"icon icon-phone release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-phone\"></use>\n            </svg>405-974-2127</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.uco.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"uco.edu\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>uco.edu</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
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    "contacts": [
        {
            "name": "Devan Wielgos",
            "company": "UCO University Communications",
            "description": "Communications and Marketing Coordinator",
            "email": "dwielgos@uco.edu",
            "website": "https://www.uco.edu",
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    "author": {
        "id": 29325,
        "username": "sward24@uco.edu",
        "email": "sward24@uco.edu",
        "name": "Sarah Ward",
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        "created_at": "2024-02-09T17:34:36+00:00",
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