Pickleball

I played tennis in high school (Ottawa High School - Ottawa, IL) and college (St. Olaf College - Northfield, MN) before moving to Grand Marais in the Fall of 1976. My experience participating in the summer tennis programs in Ottawa (IL) motivated me to grow the game of tennis in Cook County (MN). I wanted to give back to the game of tennis and share it with others. I helped form the Cook County Tennis Association (CCTA) in 1992, starting with twelve members and growing to over one hundred members. I enjoyed sharing my passion for the game of tennis as a CCTA board member (22 yrs), programs director, head instructor, coach, tournament director and player. I taught junior (gr. K-12) and adult large group lessons / programs for twenty years through 2013.

I was a paraprofessional, physical education teacher (K-12) and coach for the Cook County School District (Grand Marais, MN) for thirty some years until I retired in 2015.

In the Spring and Summer of 2017 and 2018 I introduced POP Tennis to the Cook County (MN) community and physical education classes (gr. 5-12).

During the past six or seven years I’ve been playing pickle ball. My tennis and racquet skills come in handy and I enjoy the competition and fun I have playing with a large group of pickle ball players. This sport is easy to pick up and it doesn’t require the practice and physical conditioning that tennis does.

I’ve joined the CCTPA Board of Directors again to represent pickle ball and to continue my support of tennis in Cook County and beyond. I sincerely believe that pickle ball, tennis and POP tennis can all grow and be successful in Cook County if we all work together, support one another, and provide quality programs, facilities and opportunities for all our community members and visitors.