AROUND THE POST
PICKLEBALL FOUNDER
AND WWII VETERAN
Barney
McCallum
93!
turns
BY JENNIFER LUCORE & ALEX HAMNER
Center Court at 20
18 Margaritaville
USAPA Nationals
Alex, Barney and
:
Jennifer
id you know there’s one living founder of pickleball who turns 93 in September? We think it’s pretty amazing
that we’ve found a sport we love—and that one of its founders is still with us!
We’re lucky to have Barney McCallum as a dear friend who has shared many great stories with us about
pickleball and his life. A veteran of many things, including World War II, Barney is a wonderful storyteller
who loves to hear others’ stories as well. So for his birthday, we spread the word and invited people across the globe to
provide birthday wishes to Barney and to include any special stories they had.
Barney shared with us that he spent many hours reading all the notes he received and how much he appreciated
receiving them. He also said many of the hundreds of wishes he received included tidbits about how wonderful
pickleball has been for various aspects of people’s lives. Not just tales of new friends—although there were lots of
those—but accounts of massive weight loss; the reduction and elimination of various ailments, disorders, and diseases;
recovery from the loss of a loved one; providing a purpose to life; and even how pickleball is saving lives. You could say
that pickleball has been good therapy for a great many people.
Needless to say, Barney has been overjoyed with the outpouring of love for pickleball, this crazy little game he helped
create 54 years ago.
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