Purdue celebrates new Pickett-Chaney Pickleball and Tennis Complex, responds to growing campus demand

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University students now have access to the Pickett-Chaney Pickleball and Tennis Complex, a new outdoor facility named in honor of two families with deep ties to Purdue. The complex bears the names of Martin and Janice Pickett and Jean Anne “Jeannie” and James Chaney, whose support made the project possible.

Purdue Recreation & Wellness (RecWell), which oversees recreational facilities and programming across campus, took a leadership role in the project to expand and resurface 18 pickleball courts. The courts are individually fenced, including three championship-sized courts. The newly named complex also features two individually fenced tennis courts.

The athletic facility also includes a social space where students can connect, watch friends play and study.

“It ensures paddle and racket sports remain accessible and thriving for faculty, staff and students for years to come,” said Beth McCuskey, Purdue’s vice provost for student life. “By incorporating the new complex with the adjacent intramural fields, we’ll be able to encourage students to balance long hours of studying and screen time with outdoor recreation. Pickleball is a great way to build friendships too!”

The complex represents the first phase of RecWell’s broader Outdoor Master Plan, a long-term vision to transform and expand outdoor spaces across campus to meet the needs of a growing community by providing modern and versatile recreational spaces.

The expansion addresses increased participation during open recreation times and continued growth in the Purdue Pickleball Club and Intramural Sports programs.

“This complex is about creating a place where students and the broader Purdue community can come together, build connections and support their overall well-being,” said Mike Warren, senior director of RecWell. “Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends, this facility was designed with you in mind. Combined with the Schwartz Tennis Center, we now have more opportunities than ever to support active, connected lives across our campus.”

In addition to the new courts, RecWell offers indoor pickleball in the Multipurpose Activity Court at France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center.

The Chaney family’s generosity spans more than 45 years. Jeannie Chaney earned a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in 1961. She and her husband have committed more than $44 million to support the College of Pharmacy, student scholarships, faculty excellence and campus facilities, including Chaney-Hale Hall of Science.

The Pickett family has built a legacy of support for Purdue that spans decades, including Pickett Memorial Park, which was dedicated in 1971. Martin Pickett earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial management in 1975 from the now-named Mitch Daniels School of Business. He and his wife, Janice, are currently collaborating with the university on the Outdoor Master Plan to capitalize on growth opportunities to meet the needs of the Purdue community.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a research institution ranked among the top 10 public universities in the United States. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. As a land-grant university committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free.