Carolyn Glickstein Pickleball Tribute: Carolyn Glickstein, 80, teaches pickleball at Neo Vertika, a Miami condo where her son Michael Glickstein died four years ago. The pickleball court there has a tribute that reads “In memory of Michael Glickstein.” For Carolyn, the sport has become a way to cope with her grief and help others.
A Tribute on the Court
Michael Glickstein died of a diabetic coma at age 40 on June 22, 2021. After his passing, Carolyn split her time between Minnesota and her son’s condo in Miami. She often teaches pickleball on the sixth-floor court that now honors Michael’s memory.
Carolyn created an Instagram page called “Good Grief Pickleball.” The top of the page says, Grieve. Play. Heal. Repeat.
“Pickleball has gotten me through some tough times,” Carolyn said. “There were times I couldn’t get out of bed because of my sadness … but I was able to get up to play pickleball.”
Healing Through Connection
Carolyn believes that talking about grief is important. “I truly love the sport. I’m grateful for the people I’ve met through pickleball,” she said. “Through the Instagram page, I’m using pickleball as a vehicle to talk about grief because it’s a subject we don’t often discuss in society.”
She explained that after games, players often talk about their feelings. “After we play, we talk, and that brings us together,” Carolyn said. “Pickleball gives me and others an opportunity to express our grief.”
At Neo Vertika, she teaches many young people from different cultures. She also helped bring the first pickleball court to the Brickell area.
“Teaching pickleball is such a gift,” Carolyn said. “The people who live in that condo are mostly busy professionals. Sometimes I let them know that the name on the court belonged to my son. There’s silence. … That court is a special place.”
Michael’s Story
Michael Glickstein was a talented athlete. He played basketball at Edgemont High School in Scarsdale, New York, where he once scored 36 points in a game. He led the team to 15 straight wins.
He later graduated from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, with a degree in Business and Sociology. Michael worked at Goldman Sachs.
Though he did not use drugs or alcohol, Carolyn said he struggled with mental health.
In June 2021, after no contact for days, Carolyn’s ex-husband called Neo Vertika. Property manager Ezra Martinez went to check on Michael.
“It’s difficult,” said Ezra Martinez. “It’s not the first one. I’ve been through a few.” He found Michael on the couch and called for help, but it was too late.
Creating the Court
When Carolyn arrived to sort through Michael’s things, she thanked Ezra Martinez. They became friends. One day, Carolyn suggested adding a pickleball court upstairs.
At that time, pickleball was not well known in Miami. “What’s pickleball?” Ezra Martinez asked. Carolyn quickly got her paddle to show him, but by then, he had already searched for it online. Ezra Martinez discussed the idea with the condo board.
“My board president said that we could set it up as long as we had the room,” Ezra Martinez said. “So, (within three weeks), we bought a net, drew the lines and purchased some paddles and pickleballs.”
The board also chose to dedicate the court to Michael.
Teaching and Support
Carolyn, a certified pickleball coach, teaches lessons whenever she is in Miami.
“Our residents are using the pickleball courts every day,” Ezra Martinez said, “even in this heat.”
Although Ezra Martinez has never played, he enjoys watching Carolyn teach.
“First of all, she makes me send out a flyer to tell residents she in town for pickleball lessons,” Ezra Martinez said. “People come out, and she teaches them. She’s also an amazing player. She could whip me for sure.”
Carolyn feels proud to stay active at 80. But her work is not just about exercise—it is about healing.
“When your son dies, your life changes,” Carolyn said. “Whether he died four years ago or four weeks ago, your life will never be the same again. Mine isn’t.
“My grief is with me daily, nightly. Sometimes I allow myself the luxury of tears when I stop and really think about him and how much I miss him.
“Sometimes when I’m with someone I trust – someone who knew my son and someone I know can handle my sadness – I cry. They don’t need to do or say anything. Just witness my grief.”
News in Brief: Carolyn Glickstein Pickleball Tribute
Carolyn Glickstein teaches pickleball at a Miami condo court named for her late son, Michael Glickstein. The sport has helped her cope with grief and connect with others. She runs an Instagram page called “Good Grief Pickleball” to share her story and encourage open talks about loss.