2020 Pickleball Hall of Fame Inductees
By Fran Myer
The Pickleball Hall of Fame inducted its fourth class Nov . 7 , 2020 . One individual in the Contributor category and three players in the Competitor category were honored during a virtual awards ceremony . As with many events affected by COVID-19 restrictions , the traditional formal banquet and on-court presentations had to be canceled .
The 2020 Contributor was Bill Bell , the last of the three pickleball inventors to be inducted . Bill passed away in 2006 , so his son Dr . Joel Bell accepted the award on behalf of the Bell family . It was Bill and Joel Pritchard who cobbled together the initial components of the game . As rules were developed , Bill was responsible for the double bounce requirement and non-volley zone line . He was a lawyer , political advisor and an international businessman .
As an avid pickleball player , he introduced the sport wherever his travels took him . Joel Bell explained how his dad was really the first international ambassador of the sport . He shared the game with people in many Asian countries like Singapore and Indonesia and elsewhere around the world . He was also an outstanding athlete . Despite war injuries from serving in the Army during World War II ’ s Battle of the Bulge , Bill was a successful college athlete , earning a spot in the 1948 Olympic Trials in the high hurdles .
The first 2020 Competitor honoree was Alex Hamner . She has earned 19 gold awards at the three majors — the former USAPA National Championships ( now known as Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships ), US Open Pickleball Championships and Tournament of Champions . Twelve of those championships have been with her longtime women ’ s doubles partner , Jennifer Lucore ( 2019 PHOF Inductee ). The two have been dominant in women ’ s doubles since 2010 when they were first introduced to pickleball . Alex ’ s wins include two in singles , both in open divisions , and five in mixed doubles .
Before pickleball , she played tennis and field hockey . Though Alex works full time , she competes when her schedule allows and also volunteers as a Pickleball Magazine co-contributor and Pickleball Channel advisor , contributor and commentator . She was also an IPTPA founding member .
Next to be honored was Hilary Hilton Marold . She began her pickleball career at the 2009 USAPA National Tournament . She played her first competitive game ever when she and her partner , Yvonne Hackenberg , faced their opponents in their first match in women ’ s doubles . They battled to win the silver in that event . Several days later , Hilary won gold in the 55 + women ’ s singles event , and since then she has dominated the medals podium . From 2009 to 2019 , she has prevailed in 32 events in the three majors — 22 golds at the USAPA National Championships , six at the US Open Pickleball