Championships and four at the Tournament of Champions .
Aside from the majors , she has garnered 29 additional gold medals at the Huntsman World Senior Games . Known as “ The Queen of the Racquets ,” Hilary is the only female athlete to hold so many titles in four different racquet sports : tennis , platform tennis , paddle tennis and pickleball . In 1973 , a few months prior to Bobby Riggs ’ famous “ Battle of the Sexes ” match with Billie Jean King , Hilary beat Bobby in a paddle tennis singles challenge .
The final honoree was Jim Hackenberg . His lifelong love of sports includes tennis , competitive running ( everything from 5Ks to marathons ) and platform tennis . His record in pickleball major tournaments includes 21 golds at the USAPA National Championships and 12 wins at the US Open Pickleball Championships . He has also earned 13 gold medals at the Huntsman World Senior Games . Remarkably , in those three tournaments alone , the 19 golds in mixed doubles were all with his wife and partner , Yvonne Hackenberg . This winning couple was named Pickleball Rocks Players of the Year in 2013 .
In addition , Jim is a USA Pickleball ambassador , a member of the Pickleball Magazine advisory board , and a founding member of both IPTPA and the Pickleball Hall of Fame . He is known as one of the fiercest competitors on the court , yet a humble gentleman off the court .
During the virtual ceremony , PHOF President Seymour “ Rif ” Rifkind announced plans for a brick-and-mortar Pickleball Hall of Fame and Museum . It will be located in Austin , Texas , at the Austin Pickle Ranch , a privately owned pickleball club that will feature 32 courts , eight of them covered . To raise funds to furnish the museum , Rif has completed a 3,000-mile bike ride across the U . S . He started Feb . 28 in San Diego , California , and successfully completed his 44- day journey Apr . 12 in St . Augustine , Florida .
Rif , a very fit and determined 70-year-old , encountered dust storms , cold , wind , driving rain , flat tires , being chased by dogs , and grueling stretches where he pressed onward for as many as 120 miles in one day . It is a stunning achievement that involved great effort and sacrifice by both Rif and his wife Holly , who supported him in their vehicle the entire way . In lieu of a victory lap , Rif , a former international competitive gymnast , did a handstand on the beach to celebrate his finish . He is looking forward to the opening of the new facility and invites those who want to donate to visit
pickleballhalloffame . com .
The public introduction of the PHOF Class of 2020 and induction of the Class of 2021 will take place near the new Austin facility in October . It will be held in conjunction with the inaugural Pickleball Hall of Fame Championships that are scheduled to be held at the nearby Dreamland arts , entertainment and recreational venue in Dripping Springs , Texas , Oct . 28-31 . Registration is open on the
pickleballtournaments . com website , so sign up and be part of this exciting new event . •
Fran Myer , Pickleball Hall of Fame Class of 2018 , was recognized for being the first online retailer ( Pickleball Stuff ) selling supplies for pickleball . She was a charter member of the USAPA where she served for eight years as secretary and vice-president . She assisted her late husband , Barney Myer , with coordinating the first USAPA National Tournament in 2009 and was co-director of the tournament with Dennis Duey in 2010 and 2011 .
MAY / JUNE 2021 | MAGAZINE 59