Indy Drivers Pickleball Team: Indy Drivers is on the verge of a significant milestone as it aims for back-to-back championships in the National Pickleball League. After clinching the title in its first season, it comprised 14 men and women from across the country and is fueled by its unique personal journeys into the sport.
Passion Fuels the Players
Players have taken various paths to discover pickleball, each with their motivations. “Just something fun to get into so that my wife and I could play together,” shared Matt Troyer, who found joy in the game as a couple’s activity. For Rick Witsken, it was a shift from tennis. “I was 40 years old playing tennis, and that was getting tough on my body,” he noted, highlighting the physical demands of the sport.
Ken Julian’s journey took a different turn after a life-changing diagnosis.
“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about five years ago, so I was looking for something to get my body moving, which is one of the best things you can do.” – (Ken Julian)
The formation of a professional pickleball league piqued their interest, prompting them to go through a combined process before being drafted by the Drivers.
A New Chapter in Competitive Sports
“It’s actually super fun for me to be able to learn, compete and grow in my early 50s. That has been a great joy,” Matt Troyer expressed, capturing the essence of their experience. Rick Witsken echoed this sentiment, stating,
“This kind of epiphany of professional athletics at age 50 in the senior pros has been a godsend.” – (Rick Witsken)
Rick Witsken, a co-founder of the league, helps guide the organization as it expands. With 12 teams and 188 players aged 50 and older, the league is gaining momentum.
“I said I’d really like to be a part of that. It takes a lot of twists and turns in the first couple years, and it’s starting to make a more prominent league. It’s growing.” – (Phil Cohan, owner of Indy Drivers)
The Surge of Pickleball
As pickleball continues to rise in popularity across the United States, Rick Witsken has found new opportunities through the sport.
“The fact that I’m making a living being a professional and teaching. I was in Turks and Caicos running a camp last week and Los Angeles on Monday running an event. It’s afforded me a lot of opportunities.” – (Rick Witsken)
Heading into the playoffs, the Indy Drivers are set to compete as the ninth seed. The championship matches begin on Thursday at the Pickle Lodge in Cincinnati, where they will strive to defend their title and make their mark once again.
News in Brief: Indy Drivers Pickleball Team
The Indy Drivers, a diverse pickleball team, are aiming for back-to-back championships in the National Pickleball League. Comprised of 14 pickleball players aged 50 and older, they each have unique stories that led them to the sport. With playoffs approaching, the Drivers are set to compete as the ninth seed in the upcoming championships at the Pickle Lodge in Cincinnati.
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