FINDLAY, Ohio (WLIO) - Pickleball players in Findlay now have a new spot to play thanks to the University of Findlay.
The new college park area on the campus of the University of Findlay has four new pickleball courts, which was the venue for the inaugural Oil Can Classic pickleball tournament. Over 30 teams entered the two-day tournament with beginners, intermediate, and advanced levels.
The funds for the courts were donated by Eric and Julie Anderson from AR Marketing, a partner of the university. Eric and Julie's son, Charlie Anderson, is a professional pickleball player, and they wanted to create a space in Findlay for pickleball players.
"AR Marketing depends on the University of Findlay to provide interns, employees, a lot of great young kids coming out of the University of Findlay - the entire community needs University of Findlay, frankly," said Eric Anderson. "These are the only lit courts and in Findlay, and so people can play until 11 o'clock at night and and it's happening. People are showing up, and we're getting students playing with local residents - it's awesome. These are dynamite courts. The University of Findlay did a great job putting those in for us. They're wonderful, and we love playing on them. I got suckered to play here at the last minute this morning. I did not plan on it, but I have a really, really good partner, so we're doing all right."
"We're hoping that this continues; we had 30 teams total, eight beginner, seven advanced, and 15 intermediate and so we hope that it continues," said Lee Ann Ireland, director of The Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents & Friends at the University of Findlay. "It's great, it's been a lot of fun."
The University of Findlay plans to make the Oil Can Classic a summer tradition on campus and for the Findlay community.
The Oil Can Classic will continue into bracket play on Saturday with the top teams in each skill level receiving a customized trophy.
