Listen up, Pretty Picklers! Today’s episode is PACKED with pivotal pickleball information you do not want to miss! We are chatting with The USA Pickleball Association about everything this incredible organization is doing to grow the sport of pickleball and everything YOU can do to help! We’re joined by Stu Upson, CEO, and Karen Parrish, Managing Director of Competition, who give us the low down on the benefits of participating in a USA Pickleball sanctioned event, tips on where to start when registering for tournaments, and what you can do to be a pickleball ambassador! Tune in!  

About USA Pickleball: 

The USA Pickleball Association (USA Pickleball) is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the US and provides players with official rules, tournaments, rankings and promotional materials. The association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation and governed by a board of directors and professional staff who provide the guidance and infrastructure for the continued growth and development of the sport.

Stu Upson is the Chief Executive Officer of USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport. Prior to joining USA Pickleball, Stu was the Chief Operating Officer at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island for 6 years. Stu’s previous sports management positions include Executive Director of the United States Bowling Congress (the national governing body of bowling), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Skip Barber Racing, and Senior Vice President of Sports and Entertainment Marketing at First USA Bank. His sports and entertainment experience began when he joined Major League Baseball Properties as Vice President of Business Development after several years of working at New York advertising agencies. 

Karen Parrish is the Managing Director of Competition of USA Pickleball. Prior to accepting this position, Karen was the Regional Director of the Atlantic South Region from 2014 to 2018 and then the District Ambassador for the Emerald Coast District of FL for 1 year prior to accepting her current position.  Karen has been involved in sports for over 40 years.  Coaching and teaching pickleball, softball, baseball and many other youth programs throughout her career.  Karen was the Pickleball Director for the Emerald Coast as well as the Projects Manager of many special events for the City of Destin.  One of her favorite quotes is "I Never Lose, Either I Win or I Learn."  

Karen recently moved from Destin, FL to Scottsdale, AZ and is married with 2 children.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about USA Pickleball
• Follow USA Pickleball on Instagram
• Connect with USA Pickleball on Facebook
• Check out USA Pickleball on Twitter
• Catch exciting pickleball footage on the USA Pickleball Youtube Channel
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!