Pickleball Magazine 2-4 Courtesy of The Pickleball Guru | Page 9

FROM THE USAPA
FROM THE PRESIDENT
2017 USAPA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
It was a rainy few weeks in the
south at the end of May and the
first week of June, but that didn’t
dampen the spirit of the pickleball
players who attended the first-
ever St. Jude Classic held at Lake
Point Sports Complex north of
Atlanta, Georgia. Ten days later,
the NSGA National Games took
place at the BJ Convention Center
in Birmingham, Alabama.
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
David Jordan
VICE PRESIDENT
Jack Thomas
SECRETARY
Laura Patterson
TREASURER
Darryl Noble
BOARD MEMBERS
(COMMITTEES)
AMBASSADORS
Carrie Jermstad
COMMUNICATIONS
Bob Nibarger
GRANTS
Ray Pereyra
RATINGS
Chris Thomas
TRAINING CHAIR
Pat Murphy
LEGAL COUNSEL, GRIEVANCE
Phil Mortenson
NON-VOTING
BOARD MEMBER
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mark Friedenberg
STAFF
Executive Director, Justin Maloof
Managing Director of Competition,
Christine Barksdale
Business Manager, Linda Gartlan
The new Lake Point Sports
Complex has a wooden floor, 12
USAPA PRESIDENT DAVE JORDAN
basketball courts, approximately
48 pickleball courts, a free
suspension structure and great lighting. It was a grand tournament for
the fantastic group of 140 players who showed up for this fund-raising
effort. The Georgia and Tennessee folks raised about $6,000 for St.
Jude. Hats off to District Ambassador Bill Hess and his wife, Carolyn, for
an excellent job of organizing the Georgia group to help set-up, tear
down and anything else that was needed to make it a success.
The NSGA pickleball venue had a concrete floor, support columns and
an expansion joint in the floor, which made it a challenge to establish
25 courts. But the atmosphere and excitement of the games was great.
There were 865 players from 47 states and two provinces who ranged
in age from 50 to 92. It was the largest senior and indoor pickleball
tournament ever held. Players and spectators alike took in the
excitement of the games and pitched in to help with everything from
deskwork to referees. Although we had some late nights, all matches
had referees and all gold medal matches had line judges. Thanks to
all who made this possible. Thanks to the gifted team of organizers—
guided by Tom Burkhart and Roger Workman—and the talented
players, we had a fantastic week of pickleball.
The contrast between the two events was notable, but the enthusiasm
of the participants was not. Pickleball is a sport of social interaction
as well as competition. Players come from all walks of life, all
socioeconomic backgrounds and from all parts of the country to enjoy
participating in a sport with a funny name and to interact with fellow
players and friends, old and new, young and old, and low level to high
level. It’s the experience and friendships that make pickleball such a
unique sport, and Nancy and I are proud to be part of such a great
group.
See the companion story “More Than Medals” in this issue.
From our court to yours, be safe, have fun and enjoy each other!
Dave Jordan
JULY/AUGUST 2017 |
MAGAZINE
7