Lindy Moore,
President

I signed up for a beginners pickleball clinic looking for a sport/fitness activity that I could play in the winter months. It didn’t take long and I was hooked. I’ve always enjoyed being active but there is no sport like pickleball where you can exercise and socialize with such a large group of people. Whether I’m playing in a competitive tournament, working to improve my skills or helping to teach the game to new people, you can’t beat pickleball. Let’s come together as we make Springfield Pickleball an adventure for a lifetime.

Like many players, I began playing pickleball at beginner’s night at Iles Park.
Pickleball is energizing, challenging, and very addictive.

I may be one of the oldest players on the court, but my love of pickleball and the people I play with never grows old.

 Jim Hagerman,
Treasurer

Terry Camille,
Executive Council 

I’m Terry Camille. I grew up in Riverton, IL, just east of Springfield. I graduated from high school there and then went on to attend Western Illinois University. I worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation where I retired after 36 years. My wife Patty and I currently live in Springfield. We are members of First Christian Church, downtown where I am guitarist for the Grateful Bread Band. I enjoy woodworking, photography and enjoy my life as Dad, Grandfather, and yes, Great-grandfather.

I started playing pickleball about 6 or 7 years ago. I was looking for an outdoor activity for exercise and heard about pickleball. I attended a Beginners’ Night sponsored by the SPC and have been playing regularly ever since. It’s an amazing sport that somehow bridges the differences in ages and gender and allows competitive play among a wide variety of players. In addition, it has a social component that brings people from all different backgrounds together in a way that no other activity I’ve ever been involved in has been able to do.

John Gatlin,
Executive Council

I retired from the Illinois Department of Insurance after 36 years. Some of my leisure time I spent going to the YMCA playing racquetball with a friend who kept encouraging me to take up pickleball. I finally relented and went to "beginners" night to learn all about the game and I was hooked. I never missed a Wednesday night after that. I finally got the nerve to try another night. I sat in the bleachers when I heard a loud voice from the far end of the courts asking if I want to play pickleball. I looked around and saw no one. I figured out they were talking to me. They asked what level I was. They were looking for 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5 etc. but all I knew at the time was that sometimes I am an "A" player and sometimes I am a "D" player. They smiled and said that's good enough. From that point forward I never missed a week day evening.

In the fall, we played under the lights until it was too cold. I was able to move inside to the Boys and Girls Club with a group of friends where we played in the mornings and taught pickleball in the afternoon. On other afternoons we provided activities to the younger children. You never know where pickleball will take you. I have made new friends that extends beyond the pickleball courts. I thoroughly enjoy not only the sport but the friendships I have made along the way. By the way, I still go to "beginners night." Some say I still need help but I actually go to help others learn the game and hopefully get them hooked on pickleball.

Sally Petrone,
Executive Council

After years of being coaxed by our neighbors to join them at a game of pickleball, we quickly found ourselves hooked! Wherever our travels take us, whether its on land or at sea, we have met the friendliest people at pickleball. The best parts about pickleball are keeping the mind active (what's the score?) and the body moving and meeting you, and you, and you!