The Universal Picklers of Ellis Park , Chicago { Left to right } Cherise Vassar ( Community Outreach , Instructor ) Janelle Mason ( Sports Director , Salvation Army / Ray & Joan Kroc Center , Communications Director , Universal Picklers , Instructor )
Gaynell Peete ( Accounting , Instructor ) Cozzetta Uwejeyan ( Community Outreach , Instructor ) Sue Weaver ( Community Outreach , Seniors Instructor )
Abel Maldonaldo ( Floor Manager , Trouble Shooter ) { Center } Ric Prewitt ( Founder , CEO , Ambassador , Instructor )
Ric Prewitt , a retired mental health counselor , discovered pickleball when a client invited him to play . “ I pride myself on knowing every sport — and I ’ ve played every sport — but I ’ d never heard of pickleball ,” says Prewitt . “ I ’ m 60 and used to play semi-pro basketball , and pickleball has restimulated energy in me I thought was long dormant .”
Unfortunately , the Chicago courts Prewitt played on early in his learning didn ’ t foster the camaraderie and friendships pickleball is known for : “ Because I was new , I ended up playing with some people who weren ’ t up-to-date on the ‘ etiquette ’ of the game . I also was the only African American . But these players would run you around the court and just beat up on you . I ’ d ask questions and get no answers . Because of my experience in other sports , I knew something wasn ’ t right . But I still came back day after day .”
Prewitt was determined to learn , and excel at , pickleball . He decided to venture to some suburban courts to see how others played this peculiar game . “ I was going everywhere and adapting ,” he says . “ I became like the Borg from ‘ Star Trek ’— everywhere I went , I assimilated all kinds of styles and play . I learned that pickleball is a game where you play hard , but play nice . Part of my MO was to look , learn and bring it back to the city . There was no reason I should have to go to the suburbs to play pickleball in Chicago .”
Like a Marco Polo of the urban landscape , Prewitt brought back what he learned , an enthusiasm for the game and the gift of teaching to Chicago ’ s South Side neighborhoods . “ People asked me questions and I would answer and be gracious about it . They would latch on and ask more questions ,” he recalls . “ I found myself actively promoting this game and needed more ammunition .”
So Prewitt looked into how to become an ambassador . “ At that point , I was already doing the work . I visited eight or nine places to introduce the sport and planned a clinic and tournament ,” he explains . “ All the while , I was the organizer , sponsor and financier . But with each thing I did , my game improved . It made me a better player , a more legitimate pickleball player .”
This summer , Prewitt will attend a Level I Camp to receive his teaching certification , furthering his credentials in the sport and deepening his pickleball network . His hope is that the momentum he ’ s seen so far continues and strengthens in the Chicago Parks system .
“ There ’ s been a lot of change . There was nobody in Ellis Park . The pickleball program was pretty much dead . They ’ d open the doors and let people go in and bang away at each
Prewitt and his group of pickleball supporters have not only made a difference in Chicago , but in the region . They ’ ve changed minds and attitudes about the sport , revitalized programs and are strengthening bonds in the community .
other ,” Prewitt says . “ A lot of people were turned off . There were 2.0 players versus angry 4.0 players — 4.0 players angry to be playing a 2.0 . I needed to level the playing field . I figured anything I could do , they could do , so I began training in basic ball control and how to defend their area . I showed the players how to carry their weight on the court .”
Not only did an appreciation for the game develop organically through Prewitt ’ s tutelage , but a secondary phenomenon was taking place : people were getting in shape . Prewitt , who suffers from congestive heart failure , says people started attending the gym once or twice a week because they learned through pickleball that there are activities that don ’ t punish the body .
And given the popularity of basketball in Chicago ’ s African American community , Prewitt added that highlighting pickleball ’ s similarities to the sport that grew local legends
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JULY / AUGUST 2018 | MAGAZINE 29