2020 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Phil Mortenson
VICE CHAIRMAN Laura Patterson
TREASURER Joe Santoro
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
AMBASSADORS Suzanne Guerin
BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS & MARKETING
Stacie Townsend
MARKETING Bob Franceschelli
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS Robert Quicksilver
RECREATION & WELLNESS Ernie Medina
STRATEGIC PLANNING Philip Bullen
STAFF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Justin Maloof
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION
Karen Parrish
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
George Bauernfeind
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Linda Gartlan
DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING Mark Peifer
DIRECTOR OF MEMBER SERVICES Nikki Greene
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Dan Ellsworth
DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT STANDARDS
Carl Schmits
DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE
Donn Paben
LONGING , ANTICIPATING
By Phil Mortenson
USA PICKLEBALL CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD MESSAGE
USA Pickleball celebrated its 15th birthday on July 1 . I was fortunate
to participate during its birth in early 2005 in Seattle , where the core organizing members and about 10 avid pickleball players ( mostly refugees from other racquet sports ) lived . We would meet monthly to establish a national organization dedicated to pickleball . The growth of the sport was accelerating so fast that we were straining to keep up . The first seeds of growth had largely been planted by snowbirds , vacationers and re-locaters . By November 2005 , pickleball enclaves could be found in Montana , Vermont , North Carolina , Florida , British Columbia , Arizona , and communities throughout the U . S . and Canada .
Early meeting records affirm that maintaining the integrity of the sport was paramount to our group . Throughout the remainder of 2005 and into 2006 , the Rules Committee worked diligently to create the official Rules of Pickleball . The committee drew mostly from personal experience in drafting the rules , and also borrowed from tennis and badminton . Although the rules have been refined over the years , they still reflect the philosophy that we felt was essential to the sustained growth of pickleball and its acceptance by all people , regardless of demographics and skill : pickleball must remain a sport of strategy and finesse that at the same time is fun , safe and promotes social interaction .
At their essence , pickleball events are as much about the people as the events themselves . For me , our board and staff , managing this sport is a labor of love and a responsibility we feel intensely . Ultimately , pickleball belongs to the people . It provides a special magnetic reason to come together for competition and recreation . To say we miss pickleball tournaments and recreational play is a serious understatement . We should be together right now . As the world has turned to virtual experiences , we thirst for the real ones .
Back by popular demand is another limerick . These verses from Marion Wolf in New Jersey may express the combination of longing and anticipation many of us feel while sitting on the sidelines : The losses from Covid appall , But soon we will vaccinate all . One day we shall see We are all Covid-free , We hope that will be in the fall .
When we are ready to return to the courts , USA Pickleball will be prepared . We remain optimistic and look forward to the future . •
OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2020 | MAGAZINE 9