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2018 USAPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS PRESIDENT Jack Thomas VICE PRESIDENT CJ Jermstad SECRETARY Laura Patterson TREASURER Darryl Noble AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS COMMUNICATIONS Bob Nibarger GRANTS Ray Pereyra TRAINING Pat Murphy IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT David Jordan LEGAL & GRIEVANCE Phil Mortenson STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Justin Maloof MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC COMPETITION Christine Barksdale BUSINESS MANAGER Linda Gartlan FROM THE PRESIDENT A s 2018 comes to a close, this year’s pickleball season definitely saved the best for last! The Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships and Pickleball Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremonies capped the end of the year with a flurry of fun and emotion that creates a fitting send-off into the holiday season. There is a lot of coverage on our national tournament in this issue, so I won’t go into much detail, but if you were unable to make it to Indian Wells this year, please be sure to mark your calendars for Nov. 2-10, 2019, to join us! The tournament, which was a collaborative effort by everyone involved and consisted of 4,293 matches, was outstanding in every way! I know this will sound trite, but I can’t say thank you enough to everybody associated with the tournament! Whether you were with USAPA, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, volunteers, staff, players, groundskeepers, maintenance, attendees, or involved in any other way, YOU were a part of the happening and very much appreciated. The Pickleball Hall of Fame event was extra special for me this year as I was honored to be asked by my friend and mentor, Earl Hill, USAPA PRESIDENT JACK THOMAS to be his presenter for induction into the Hall. Earl was a founding member of USAPA, he created the Ambassador program and served as the first Ambassador Director for many years. After stepping down as Director, Earl provided counsel and guidance to all of us as Assistant Director until stepping down on Nov. 1. The sport of pickleball will be forever indebted to Earl for his many years of service and contributions. Bob Lanius and Fran Myer, two other pioneers who were very instrumental in getting pickleball off the ground and where it is today, were also honored and inducted into the Hall. Needless to say, it has been a busy month! And, with Christmas and New Year’s around the corner, Joan and I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a safe, healthy and happy 2019! Many exciting things are on the agenda for 2019 and I am blessed to be able to share this wonderful sport and all of its gifts with you. Stay safe and HAVE FUN! Jack NOVEMBER/DECEMBER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 2018 | | MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 7 7