Washburn Students Petition for Return of Badminton Courts | WU Recreation Center Update

Badminton Players at Washburn University Adapt to Court Line Removal

TOPEKA, KS – A popular sport among Washburn University students, particularly its international population, has faced a recent adjustment. Badminton court lines were removed from the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) following a flooring renovation completed during the winter break of 2026. The change has prompted concern and disappointment from students who regularly utilize the court, but the university has offered a temporary solution.

The removal stems from a decision made by the SRWC based on participation data. According to Whitney Slater, director of the SRWC, badminton participation has been consistently low in recent years. “From 2022 to 2025 we only had a total of 30 people participate in our intramural badminton tournaments,” Slater stated. At the same time, the university has seen a surge in the popularity of pickleball, leading to a prioritization of court space for that sport.

However, the decision hasn’t been well-received by those who frequently play badminton. Josie Riddle, a junior graphic design major, expressed her frustration. “They did have the court. They had two courts for badminton and then they don’t anymore,” Riddle said. “It might be because badminton is not as popular as pickleball but it has been around longer than pickleball. People have been playing badminton. It might not be as many people as they thought [but] they shouldn’t just get rid of the court.” Riddle also pointed out the impact on the intramural tournament, noting that without proper lines, the tournament isn’t structured according to official rules.

For many international students, badminton isn’t just a recreational activity; it’s a connection to home. Sumika Karmacharya, a freshman nursing major, highlighted the accessibility of the sport. “If there is no court, we can’t see the line and that’s hard for us to play badminton,” she explained. Karmacharya added that badminton provides a relatively easy way for students to stay active.

Yashneil Shrestha, a freshman computer science major, echoed this sentiment, describing his disappointment at the change. “I think international students would definitely benefit from getting a badminton court as back in my home country, many of my friends and I especially used to play badminton,” Shrestha said. I have grown up playing badminton and coming here in the first semester I was very happy to see a badminton court and good facilities provided. But in the second semester, after they redo the rec, they removed the badminton lines and now it’s very difficult to play badminton. This definitely isn’t something I expected from the Rec because I was very happy playing badminton with friends and enjoyed it a lot.”

Recognizing the concerns, the SRWC has implemented a temporary solution. Slater explained that applying tape directly to the gym floor is prohibited due to potential damage. Instead, the SRWC has purchased temporary rubber line markers. “We’ve purchased temporary rubber line markers that can be laid out during badminton play,” Slater said. The markers will be kept in a black drawstring bag available for checkout at the front desk. Inside the bag, you’ll also find photos showing how the lines should be set up on two different court configurations in the gym.”

The SRWC’s response aims to balance the growing popularity of pickleball with the needs of the badminton community. While the temporary markers offer a workaround, many students remain hopeful for the reinstatement of permanent court lines. The situation highlights the challenges faced by university recreation centers in allocating space and resources to accommodate diverse student interests.

Despite the setback, students are determined to continue playing. The temporary solution, while not ideal, allows them to maintain their activity and connection to a sport that holds significant personal and cultural value. The future of permanent badminton court lines at Washburn University remains uncertain, but for now, students are making the most of the space available.