2022 USA PICKLEBALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
From the Board Chair
By Robert Quicksilver
USA PICKLEBALL BOARD CHAIR
It has been well documented both in this magazine and other media outlets that pickleball is taking the U . S by storm and expanding here at a rate that is almost unprecedented for any sport . But far less is known about how the sport is doing internationally . Having had the honor to be part of a U . S . delegation that demonstrated pickleball at the Maccabi Games ( see the article that begins on page 74 ) in July in Israel , I can tell you that the global growth of the sport seems inevitable .
The exhibitions took place in Tel Aviv , Jerusalem and Haifa over three days . In the mornings we played at the local tennis centers , which were hosting the Maccabi Games tennis competition . The facilities had graciously agreed to convert one tennis court into two pickleball courts . In the evenings , we took the “ show ” on the road , including playing at a historic railroad station in Jerusalem that had been converted into an outdoor mall and at a park in Haifa .
As the delegation began demonstrating the sport to Israeli children who were attending camps at the tennis centers , and Israeli adults who just so happened to be in the vicinity , we were initially met with looks of curiosity . Most had never seen pickleball before . And of those who had seen or heard of the sport , virtually none had played it .
But that didn ’ t stop the Israelis from joining in the fun . They soon flooded the courts and were quickly dinking and volleying with us . To say that they were having an amazing experience would be a gross understatement . And what a joy it was for those of us in the delegation to see the pure exhilaration that playing pickleball quickly brought to those children and how excited those adults were upon their realization that this was a sport they could easily do and thoroughly enjoy .
My experience at the Maccabi Games confirmed my belief that the reasons often cited for pickleball ’ s rapid growth in our country — the social nature ; the ease and quickness with which people of any age can pick-up the sport and enjoy it ; the relatively low cost of entry ; that it can be played multi-generationally ; that it bridges cultural , religious and ethnic lines — are not unique to the U . S .
Consequently , I am now more convinced than ever about pickleball ’ s international potential and that it will not only be a competition sport in the next Maccabi Games , but also a part of the Olympic Games in the near future . Pickleball is truly a game that belongs to everyone !
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
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Chuck Menke
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF COMPETITION & SANCTIONING
Karen Parrish
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS
Hope Tolley
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP
Nikki Greene
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING
Mark Peifer
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
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS
Lance Cowart
DIRECTOR OF AMBASSADORS Steve Stone
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIP SERVICES
Karen Weiss