2022 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By Robert Quicksilver
USA PICKLEBALL BOARD CHAIRMAN
BOARD CHAIRMAN Robert Quicksilver
BOARD VICE CHAIR Ernie Medina
AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS
Philip Bullen Mark Fabbro Bob Franceschelli Suzanne Guerin Stephanie Russell
USA PICKLEBALL STAFF
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Stu Upson
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Justin Maloof
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Dan Ellsworth
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION & SANCTIONING
Karen Parrish
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Chuck Menke
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Nikki Greene
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING
Mark Peifer
DIRECTOR OF AMBASSADORS Steve Stone
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EQUIPMENT STANDARDS & FACILITY DEVELOPMENT
Carl Schmits
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PRO PLAYER RELATIONS & EQUIPMENT COMPLIANCE
Donn Paben
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS
John Greene
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS Laura Gainor
DIGITAL MANAGER Kevin Brown
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIP SERVICES
Karen Weiss
# RoadToNationals
The heartbeat of pickleball is — and always will be — the millions of enthusiasts across the nation enjoying the sport at the
recreational level . But the success or failure of premier events often represents a major health indicator for any participatory sport . So as pickleball continues to expand and develop , it will benefit greatly from increased competition and a higher quality of play among its top athletes , both amateur and pro .
Organizing best-in-class tournaments is just one of our objectives as the U . S . National Governing Body . It is a task that we take very seriously . And it ’ s not solely about the on-court product that is offered . We know it ’ s also about the participants ’ overall event experience . Pickleball is famous for its social energy and unique community culture . So , looking ahead , USA Pickleball will continually seek to enhance our tournaments , and offer an “ event within an event ” for participants through a variety of creative and fun ancillary components .
Meanwhile , the 2022 season is already proving that tournaments are not just back they ’ re bigger and better than ever before . This comes on the heels of COVID-19 ’ s significant impact to the tournament landscape over the past two years . In fact , due to the pandemic , this year boasts an unprecedented 14 total qualifier events for the USA Pickleball National Championships ( seven in 2022 and seven grandfathered-in from 2021 ).
Speaking of Nationals , we ’ ll return again this November to Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Palm Springs , California . But Indian Wells isn ’ t the only iconic venue hosting pickleball these days . The Franklin APP NYC Open , a new National Championship Series event , was unveiled in late May at the legendary USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows . We also welcomed nearly 1,500 players at the Consumer Cellular USA Pickleball Newport Beach Championships . Not to mention a highly successful USA Pickleball Indoor National Championships held on the hardwood this past June in Hoover , Alabama .
And let ’ s not forget about the Diamond Amateur Regionals , a separate series that serves as a pathway to the first-ever USA Pickleball Diamond Amateur Championship ( Dec . 1-7 ) at the gorgeous Pictona in Holly Hill , Florida . Those who find themselves on top of the podium there will earn an automatic berth in the 2023 USA Pickleball National Championships .
Meanwhile , here in midsummer , time is starting to run out as we head into the stretch run for Nationals . Indeed , registration will soon be open . As always , we expect demand to be off the charts . Fortunately , players still have a chance to punch their Golden Ticket at the Beer City Open ( July 20-24 ) in Grand Rapids , Michigan , and the APP Atlanta Metro Open ( Sept . 7-11 ).
One way or another — whether as a player , spectator , volunteer or referee — we hope to see you at a major event soon !
JULY / AUGUST 2022 | MAGAZINE 9