Referee Corner
T
MEET USA PICKLEBALL ’ S NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OFFICIATING by DOUG BATES
USA PICKLEBALL CERTIFIED REFEREE
Tom Tadler recently was hired as the new managing director of officiating for USA Pickleball . Let ’ s get some background on our new leader in the referee community !
Tom has been a traveler — starting in his youth when his father was relocated six times before Tom even graduated high school . Later , Tom graduated as a chemist from Illinois State University , chose the field of automotive coatings , and has been on the move with five homes during his career . He settled in Fort Myers , Florida , where he and his wife , Yolanda , have lived full time since 2021 .
USA Pickleball : How and when did you learn about the sport of pickleball ?
TT : My in-laws are responsible . They introduced us to the sport in 2017 . They still like to play against us .
USA Pickleball : How did you get interested in being a referee ?
TT : I watched a lot of referee practices at the courts where I play . I was getting eliminated in tournaments after a couple of games , so I was already at the venues to watch more referees . Julie and Larry Scott suggested I try it when I was a match starter at the US Open in 2018 . Yolanda is a Level 2 .
USA Pickleball : When did you receive your certification ?
TT : I waited until I had a lot of practice before I was assessed for
my Level 1 and Level 2 in early 2019 . Bob Unetich was my mentor and we studied and drilled until I received my CR in September 2019 .
USA Pickleball : After the successful introduction of the position by Mark Peifer and George McCulley , what do you see as your priority as our new managing director of officiating ?
TT : Both Mark and George did amazing things with the program and left it in good shape . I want to personally talk with the National Officiating Committee , certified referee coordinator and referee training coordinators and get their thoughts on the program . My goal is to improve training at all levels . We need to make sure we are staying current with tournament needs and putting the bestqualified referees on court that we can . We cannot afford to grow too fast and dilute our quality . We need to mentor our Level 1 ’ s .
USA Pickleball : What would you like the public to know about being a referee ? What would you say to anyone interested in being a referee ?
TT : Being a certified referee is difficult mentally and physically . The people you meet on the journey are incredible . There is no substitute for matches and the handbook . Marsha Freso and team have done an excellent job for years on this and it is the best tool for us all to use . Find a good mentor and work with that person . •
New Certified Referees Doug Hill — Sun City , AZ
Learn more about how to become a referee at usapickleball . org / get-involved / pickleball-officiating .
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