Gamma Pickleball Classic / PA State Championships
RAISES $10,000 FOR
PARKINSON’S RESEARCH
W
hen you think about pickleball hotbeds, Pittsburgh
would certainly not be one of the first places that comes
to mind; however, history was made in the City of Champions
when over $10,000 was raised to battle Parkinson’s Disease.
The Gamma Pickleball Classic was held in the David L.
Lawrence Convention Center, in the heart of the city, June 3-5.
Over 250 players signed up for the inaugural event.
The tournament was dreamed up when a local pickleballer,
Mike Wertz, was looking for a way to raise money for the
Parkinson’s Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. Pickleball is
very popular in the Parkinson’s community around the country
because it acts as a way to generate and release dopamine into
the brain — something that is lacking in those with the disease.
Wertz called on Wayne Dollard, publisher of Pickleball
Magazine, who is a local friend, and the two dreamed up the
Pickleball Classic. Originally, the event was going to be a small
outdoor tournament in the suburbs, but Wertz wanted to go
big by renting out a portion of the convention center in the
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heart of the city. “Build it and they will come,” was often said by
Wertz in the executive committee meetings.
Financial worries were put to rest early when Chuck Vietmier
of Gamma Sports (based in Pittsburgh) offered to be the title
sponsor. Aetna Health Care, Highmark, Allegheny Health
Network, The Elsie Hillman Foundation, and Hefren Tillotson
signed on as major sponsors. Balls were donated by Onix and
Pickleball, Inc.
Wertz, who runs an ad agency, Applebox Studios, had
no trouble putting together a state-of-the-art web site
(http://pickleballclassic.org) for the event.
Next, Dollard and Wertz appeared on two Pittsburgh
television talk shows to showcase the event. This was followed
by an exhibition played on the streets in the downtown Market
Square at lunchtime.
By June 3, everything was in place.
Pickleballtournaments.com even came out to make sure
everything ran smoothly. The tournament was dedicated to
Wertz’s father, Ronald, an avid pickleball player who sadly
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