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What’s News in Pickleball
NEW USA PICKLEBALL BOARD MEMBER
BOB FRANCESCHELLI
Bob Franceschelli feels
blessed to be able to
play pickleball and to
also give back to the
sport by serving as a USA Pickleball
Board Member. His story is like so
many in that Bob was “hooked”
on pickleball the very first time
he picked up a paddle and hit a
ball. His story, however, took a
turn in 2008 when he underwent
surgery to repair a broken vertebra
and a bulging disc in his lower
back, and then in December of
2015, Bob underwent a total hip
replacement. He jokes that his
body “houses more hardware
than Home Depot.” Despite these
physical setbacks, Bob is thrilled
to have been able to start playing
pickleball and continue to enjoy
the sport.
“The level of exercise, social
interaction and support of the
pickleball community is unlike any
other sport I have experienced,”
he said. “It fills so many needs for
so many individuals. As a former
high school and college athlete,
pickleball has filled a competitive
gap for me.” Bob gets around
the court recreationally and in
tournaments, competing in the
4.0/4.5 open age Men’s Doubles.
Bob worked for 29 years at
Anheuser-Busch Inbev in crossfunctional,
executive-level
positions including Entertainment
Marketing, Brand Management,
Sales, Distribution, Operations and
Marketing, and Advertising. That
was followed by an eight-year
career as President of Medicareapproved
Pritikin LLC, and CEO/
President of Pritikin Intensive
Cardiac Rehab. Bob recently
became a Pritikin LLC board
member and serves as a volunteer
board member and mentor at
ITEN, a 501(c)(3) catalyst for tech
innovation, and is also an advisor
to the St. Louis Pickleball Club.
If that’s not enough to keep him
busy, he is also a pickleball referee.
Bob holds an MBA from Webster
University and earned a Certificate
in Executive Education in
Corporate Board Effectiveness at
Harvard.
His wife of 30 years, Bibi, is also
actively involved in competitive
pickleball, working the courts
as a pickleball referee and fully
supporting local pickleball. Family
vacations with their three adult
children always include “friendly”
pickleball games.
“The sport’s awesome qualities,
easy access and affordability are
positively impacting the health
and social benefits of people of all
ages and all walks of life,” said Bob.
“I can’t wait to participate in the
continued explosive growth of this
life-changing sport.” •
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