National Pickleball Hall of Fame Inducts Three New Members
Three worthy individuals who are instrumental in the development and growth of pickleball were recently inducted into the National Pickleball Hall of Fame. Ceremonies took place on November 6 at the Margaritaville USA National Pickleball Championships at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Palm Desert, California.
The 2018 National Pickleball Hall of Fame Inductees:
Robert Lanius— Created and developed the PickleballTournaments.com software which enabled the growth of tournaments around the world with online registration and administration. Robert was also Commissioner of the Arizona Senior Olympics and Grand Canyon State Games for many years. Keeping pace with today’s technology, he created one of the first pickleball club websites that featured news, places to play, and tournaments with match results from around the country.
Earl Hill — As a charter member of the USAPA Board, Earl founded the Ambassador program, serving for 13 years as the original Director and later as Assistant Director. He also served as the Arizona Senior Olympics Pickleball Commissioner from 2001 – 2008. The tournament’s enormous growth led to the creation of the national organization in 2005. He is a multiple USAPA National Champion, winning gold in Men’s Doubles in 2009, 2011 and 2014 and a Huntsman World Senior Games Men’s Doubles Champion in 2013. Throughout his playing career, Earl has won numerous awards since he started playing pickleball in 1985.
Fran Myer –Created Pickleball Stuff in 1999, the sport’s very first informational and retail website, selling equipment from all manufacturers. During eight years of service as a charter member of the USAPA Board, Fran wore many hats including, secretary, media director and vice president. She co-directed the first USAPA national tournament with Barney Myer in 2009, then with Dennis Duey in 2010 and 2011. She and Barney were Washington State Senior Games Commissioners for nine years and the Greater Seattle Senior Games for eight years. Fran Myer won silver medals at the USAPA Nationals in Singles in 2012 and 2016 in her age group. She is a USAPA National Champion in Mixed Doubles 19+ in 2009 and a three-time gold medalist at the National Senior Games Championship Festival. Since she started playing in 1988, Fran has won approximately 200 medals and awards playing in tournaments around the country.
The USA Pickleball Association and the International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association jointly established the Pickleball Hall of Fame in 2017. The organizations recognize individuals who have achieved exceptional results in pickleball play over the course of their career, as well as those who have made exceptional contributions to the growth, development, and leadership of the game. All candidates have also demonstrated a high level of character, integrity, sportsmanship and consideration for others and thus earned the respect and admiration of their peers. PickleballCentral.com will serve as the initial home of The Pickleball Hall of Fame at their headquarters in Kent, Washington next to The Pickleball Museum.
These individuals now join the inaugural Hall of Fame class which included Barney McCallum, Joel Pritchard, Mark Friedenberg, Sid Williams, Arlen Paranto and Billy Jacobsen.
For more information on the Pickleball Hall of Fame, visit www.pickleballhalloffame.com.
