Pickleball Magazine 2-4 Courtesy of The Pickleball Guru | Page 11

FROM THE USAPA
Meet Drew Wathey
USAPA’S NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
A
fter a national search that
garnered interest from a number
of qualified candidates from all over
the U.S., Drew Wathey has been
named as the association’s new
Managing Director of Recreational
Programs and Services. I know Drew
brings an incredible work ethic and
a special skill set to USAPA, and I’m
very excited to add him as a member
of our team. We are very fortunate to
have him and I look forward to adding
yet another level of professionalism
to our organization. Drew officially
began his new role on July 1. He is
currently working closely with me and
the rest of the USAPA staff and board
of directors as he acclimates himself
to the position.
Drew Wathey
In this new role, he will specifically
develop, launch and facilitate USAPA
leagues and programs designed to
grow and foster new players at the
recreational level. In addition, he
will work with the organization
to establish a new USAPA club
affiliate program, aimed at providing
insurance coverage and other club
benefits through the USAPA. Drew
will also take a leadership role in
USAPA’s ambassador and training
programs and will have a role within
USAPA’s media and public relations
initiatives.
Originally from Woodbury, New
York, Drew has spent the last 35
years in Phoenix, Arizona, where he
will remain in his role with USAPA.
A four-year scholarship recipient and
honors graduate from the acclaimed
Scripps College of Communications
at Ohio University, he immediately
began his career as a TV Sports
Director at KNAZ-TV in Flagstaff,
Arizona, and KSBY-TV in San Luis
Obispo, California. He also was a
freelance sports reporter for ESPN
and CNN Sports.
After moving to the Valley, Drew
served 14 years as the Director of
Communications for the Phoenix
Open Golf Tournament before
transitioning into an executive
position with SRO C