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Local teams and local courts

By Pamela Jouan

The Charleston sports scene is thriving—and it’s not just about watching from the sidelines. When you’re lucky enough to live in a place where sunshine, salt air, and community pride collide, sports become part of everyday life. From cheering on hometown teams to grabbing a paddle after work, Charleston makes it easy to play, watch, and belong. This is a city where minor league games feel major, and recreational courts buzz with competitive energy. Here, we celebrate the places that bring us together—on the ice, at the ballpark, and across the pickleball net—on our home turf.

Charleston On Ice: The South Carolina Stingrays lead from the rink

In a place where newcomers arrive daily, the Stingrays remain Charleston’s ultimate hometown team—rooted in community, built on connection, and driven by a belief that hockey here is about far more than what happens on the ice.

That philosophy starts at the top. Rob Concannon, now in his 16th season as President, has lived nearly every version of the Stingrays story. A former player, Kelly Cup champion, and Hall of Famer, Concannon’s path to hockey began far from Charleston, learning to skate using makeshift milkcrate skating aids in Boston’s Public Garden. Today, Charleston is home—where he’s helped shape a three-decades long franchise that feels inseparable from the city itself.

Under Concannon’s leadership, the Stingrays have thrived competitively, reaching multiple Kelly Cup Finals and earning league-wide recognition for excellence. But success, he says, isn’t measured only in wins. It’s also seen in people—players, coaches, and staff who begin their careers in North Charleston and move on to the highest levels of the sport. “We’re the only team in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) who has three former head coaches as head coaches in the NHL, two former players as assistant coaches, and one former head coach as an assistant coach. Watching people grow here and then take the next step,” he notes, “that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

 That same attitude extends into the community. The Stingrays are a familiar presence at MUSC Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, youth centers, food banks, and local schools. “Our Principal Owner Todd Halloran spearheads our Community Assist of the Game program where he generously donates $2,000 to a local nonprofit organization at every home game. We’re a big part of the Charleston community. We love to be involved.”

From Military Appreciation nights that pack the Coliseum to kid-focused Sunday games and creative theme nights, Concannon proudly says his staff does a great job building a promotional calendar that makes every fan feel welcome—whether they’re lifelong hockey lovers or first-time visitors.

Ultimately, the goal is simple: connection. The Stingrays want fans to leave smiling, merch in hand, already planning their next game. In a city with endless entertainment options, they’ve earned their place not just as Charleston’s hockey team—but as part of Charleston’s fabric. 

Tickets available at: stingrayshockey.com.

All the Right Dinks: Dunes West Golf & River Club Serves Up Pickleball’s Next Chapter

The unveiling of six brand-new, lighted pickleball courts marks a major evolution in the athletic offerings at Dunes West Athletic Club, firmly planting them in the center of Charleston’s fastest-growing sport.“By incorporating pickleball, we’re enhancing both the experience and the value of the club,” says Dunes West pickleball pro Peter McGhee. “You can feel the energy immediately—it’s brought in new members, increased engagement, and created a real buzz.”

The expansion came after years of exponential growth. With a thriving tennis program already in place, it became clear that both sports needed dedicated spaces. “Our goal was to give pickleball the same first-class treatment tennis has enjoyed for more than 30 years,” McGhee explains. The result: a purpose-built facility designed for flow, playability, accessibility, and community.

That community piece is key. Pickleball’s appeal lies as much in its social nature as its athletic one, and these courts were designed with that in mind. Located away from residential areas to reduce noise, each court is fully fenced in, professionally surfaced, and illuminated with LED lighting for optimal visibility. It’s a premier playing experience.

Programming is equally robust, with clinics and leagues for every level—from Pickleball 101 for beginners to competitive strategy sessions including third shot drops and dinking techniques, and then more professional-level strategies such as stacking and poaching. “We also provide intensive programs such as dedicated Men’s and Women’s Leagues, round-robin socials, after-school programs, and multi-day camps.” And the players? Everyone. “Pickleball is growing at an annual rate of 45 percent, with over 4,000 players now in the Mount Pleasant area. While people think of retirees, the largest group right now at 28.8 percent is players aged 18 to 34,” McGhee notes. “It’s truly multigenerational and inclusive.”

As Mount Pleasant North continues to grow, Dunes West is perfectly positioned to serve as both a competitive hub and social gathering place—proof that pickleball isn’t just a trend, it’s here to stay.

Membership is open to both residents and non-residents across the Charleston area. For those new to pickleball or Dunes West, visit dunewestgolfclub.com or contact Jen Devaney, Membership & Athletic Club Director, at: Jenn.devaney@duneswestgolfclub.com.

A Night Out, Charleston-Style: The RiverDogs bring fun to The Joe

At Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park—better known as The Joe—a RiverDogs game is still baseball, but it’s also something much bigger. It’s Charleston showing off its sense of humor, its  hospitality, and its big-hearted, anything-goes spirit.

“For someone who hasn’t been here in a while, the biggest surprise is probably the energy,” says Lance Fletcher, assistant general manager of the Charleston RiverDogs. “It feels more like a festival than a game.”

That’s by design. The RiverDogs have leaned hard into a casual, anything-can-happen atmosphere that mirrors the Lowcountry’s laid-back rhythm. Fans wander the concourse, kids chase mascots, friends gather over local craft beers, and the marshland backdrop quietly steals the show while Firework Nights dominate the home calendar. “We want it to feel approachable,” Fletcher says. “You don’t need to know baseball to have a great night here. You just need to show up.”

What anchors the experience is the team’s deep roots. From food partnerships to promotions, everything feels hyperlocal—and unmistakably Charleston. “We’re proud to be a hometown team with a big heart,” Fletcher says.That sense of closeness is one of minor league baseball’s superpowers, and at The Joe, it’s everywhere. Players walk through the concourse, chatting with kids and signing autographs without fanfare. Staff members greet regulars by name. Mascots roam freely, photobombing and creating light-hearted chaos. “There’s no hierarchy here,” Fletcher explains. “Everyone shares the same space, and that creates real connection.” Even dogs get the spotlight on certain nights!

Longtime fans will notice the glow-up. Upgraded lighting, sound, and concourse flow give the park a refreshed feel without sacrificing its charm. “It still feels like The Joe,” Fletcher says, “just a little more polished.” In the end, a RiverDogs game feels like Charleston distilled: local, welcoming, a little eccentric, and full of heart. As Fletcher puts it, “Baseball is the excuse. The experience is the point. If you show up, you should leave with a story.” And you will.

Get tickets for this season at: charleston-riverdogs.charleston-tickets.com.