Now a computer science student and co-captain of the basketball team at Johns Hopkins University, Panu decided to solve this problem once and for all. His answer? Squadz—a user-friendly app designed to make finding and scheduling pick-up games a breeze. Whether you’re a tennis enthusiast looking for a partner or someone seeking an extra player for a basketball match, Squadz is here to take the guesswork out of organizing casual sports.
How Squadz Simplifies Pick-Up Game Planning
Launched this past February, Squadz functions as a booking and networking system for athletes of all skill levels. Available for both iPhone and Android, the app is currently being piloted around Johns Hopkins’ Homewood campus and nearby areas, allowing users to easily see and join local games.
Setting up a profile is straightforward: users simply create an account, select their favorite sports, and indicate their skill level. Squadz offers a range of options, from popular sports like basketball and soccer to unique picks like Quidditch. Once set up, the app’s main screen displays a map showing scheduled pick-up games in the area, organized by day and time. Using your phone’s GPS, Squadz highlights public games with green pins and ongoing games with red, allowing users to zoom out to see a larger area if needed. By tapping on a pin, users can view basic details, check participants’ skill levels, and see who’s confirmed for the game.
Want to play? Just hit “join” to secure your spot and communicate with other players on the in-app message board for any updates. The app’s “teammates” feature also allows users to add friends from their contacts or social media, making it easy to organize games with both familiar faces and new players. Planning an exclusive game? The private game option ensures only invited players can see it on the map.
The Squadz Locker Room: Staying Organized on the Court and Off
For regular players, Squadz includes a “locker” tab where users can keep track of upcoming games and check past match details. This feature is perfect for recalling that unforgettable shot from last week’s game or inviting that one player you had great chemistry with. It’s also where you can manage app settings, adjust map preferences, and fine-tune notification settings. Squadz allows users to customize privacy as well, offering the choice to display either just their username or full name and contact info.
Panu’s teammates at Johns Hopkins, including fellow basketball players Austin Vasiliadis, Niko Kotoulas, and Sam Gordon, were quick to see the app’s potential. Now part of the Squadz team, they’ve been helping to promote the app by spreading the word across campus and at local sports events. With more users joining each day, Squadz is quickly becoming a fixture in the campus community.
Tapping into the Broader Vision: Expanding Beyond Campus
Beyond the university, Panu envisions Squadz becoming a go-to tool for gyms, recreation centers, and community parks. The app’s potential to improve the use of available sports spaces is clear: by helping these venues fill up during off-peak hours, Squadz can turn underused spaces into vibrant pick-up game hubs. The Squadz team plans to work on partnerships with venues in the Bay Area this summer, with hopes to make it the premier app for recreational sports.
“We’re also exploring how Squadz could track attendance patterns at public parks, giving cities insights into which sports are most popular and when facilities are busiest,” Panu says. “For Squadz to reach its full potential, we need to grow our user base—but we’re confident that the app will soon become a staple for anyone who loves pick-up sports.”
With Squadz, spontaneous recreation is easier than ever—whether it’s a lunchtime basketball game, a weekend of ultimate Frisbee, or a doubles tennis match. As Squadz expands, it aims to build a new kind of sports community, connecting people over a shared love of friendly competition and giving everyone a chance to get in the game.