USA Pickleball National Indoor Championships
More than 700 players from 33 states participated , ranging from age 12 to 84 . By Karen Parrish
USA PICKLEBALL MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION
The 2nd Annual USA Pickleball National Indoor Championships was a huge success ! Local volunteers made this event an enjoyable experience from the moment players walked through the doors .
Special thanks to the on-site operations coordinator Jarick Rager , volunteer coordinator Suzanne Norris and the Finley Center events operation director Harry Leckemby for their hard work and dedication in making this a memorable , top-notch tournament . Also , a big thank-you to our event partner The Birmingham CVB and Tonia Whatley . Without their support this tournament would not have been possible .
So much of a tournament ’ s success is what goes on behind the scenes . A debt of gratitude goes to our partner
pickleballtournaments . com and events registration manager April Price and her daughter Savannah for managing and maintaining our registrations as well as the event tournament desk each day from open to close !
Referee desk coordinator extraordinaire George McCulley and his wife , Therese , were at the event desk running a tight ship while using top-of-the-line
Bobby Humphrey , Alabama All-American running back and NFL All-Pro Denver Bronco , was a big hit at the USAP Indoor Nationals . He is the chairman of the Governor ’ s Commission on Physical Fitness & Sports . From left to right : Phil Holmes , executive director of the commission ; Alice Tym , gold medalist — WD and MXD 75 ; Bobby Humphrey ; and Bart Brannon , gold medalist — MD and MXD 75 .
3.0 / 3.5 Overall 75 + medal winners : gold — Robert Ann Lewis and Tom Ambotis ; silver — Judy Butch and Harry Molloy ; and bronze — Diane Richardson and John Hodges .
PickleballDesk software , keeping the courts moving on time and finishing early most days . George and Therese are truly the epitome of excellence .
The USA Pickleball referees are the backbone of a tournament ’ s success . They are led by our director of officiating and head referee , Mark Pfeifer , and did an incredible job , as always , providing a firstclass experience for those on and off the courts . Congratulations to our newest certified referee , Onisha Smith — your passion , dedication and hard work has paid off .
The livestream team from BoxCar Productions knocked it out of the park this year . Thank you Kyle Selinko , Randy Coleman and Arielle Butler for your service and flawless media production .
Don ’ t forget to revisit some of the best pickleball moments from the National Indoor Championships on the USA Pickleball YouTube channel .
Thank you to all the players , spectators , sponsors , vendors and pickleball lovers alike . We look forward to seeing you again at next year ’ s National Indoor Championships . •