END OF AN ERA
FOR USAPA PRESIDENTS
JORDAN & THOMAS
BY JUSTIN MALOOF
USAPA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A
s USAPA closes yet another successful
year, I would like to take this
opportunity to recognize David Jordan
and Jack Thomas—two outgoing
board members who have made significant
contributions to the sport of pickleball and the
USA Pickleball Association.
When I was named USAPA’s executive director
in 2013, David Jordan assumed the USAPA
presidency during my first week and I credit him
for providing me with much-needed guidance and
leadership during my early years. David served a
total of 13 years on the USAPA board and was the
association’s president from 2013-2017. David is
currently completing his final term on the board
in his past-president role.
Through the years, he has been instrumental
in the growth of membership and marketing
initiatives, but most will remember David for
his tireless service as tournament director for
the USAPA National Championships, Huntsman
Games, the National Senior Games, State Games
of America, St. Jude’s Classic and many more.
Jack Thomas has served as president of USAPA
for the last two years and has served on the
board of directors for the last six. He, too, will
be retiring from the board at the end of this
year. Through his leadership, Jack has guided
unprecedented growth in the sport of pickleball
and for USAPA with membership almost doubling
in the last two years from 22,000 members to
nearly 40,000 members today.
Jack has also spearheaded initiatives to
implement the USAPA Regional Tournament
structure and is also credited for his efforts
David, Justin and Jack at Nationals during
the Hall of Fame Ceremony. Photo by Desert
Champions/USAPA.
regarding adaptive and wheelchair play and also
his work establishing the USAPA’s partnership
with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
We also certainly appreciate both David and
Jack’s leadership to bring the premier event in
the sport of pickleball, the Margaritaville USA
Pickleball National Championships, to the iconic
Indian Wells Tennis Garden as we continue this
incredible growth journey and the promotion and
development of the sport of pickleball.
On behalf of the USAPA staff, board,
ambassadors and members, thank you David
and Jack for your service and dedication. We are
forever grateful and wish you both the very best!
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 |
MAGAZINE
11