Veteran Pickleball Player Jeremiah Hollis: Seventy-one-year-old Jeremiah Hollis from Redford, Michigan, is proving that age and health challenges can’t stop him. Despite having undergone major surgeries, including hip and knee replacements and a triple heart bypass since 2023, he is now competing in the 2025 National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa.
Competing After Surgeries
Jeremiah Hollis plays pickleball three times a week at Life Time Fitness in Novi and Canton, Michigan. At the National Senior Games, he is taking part in all three pickleball categories: men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
What makes this more impressive is that Jeremiah Hollis only started playing pickleball two-and-a-half years ago. His quick success and dedication have made him a standout player among seniors.
A Passion for Pickleball
Jeremiah Hollis is a U.S. Air Force veteran, a father of three, and a retired senior project manager from Ford Motor Company. Over the years, he tried many sports—golf, bowling, tennis, and ping pong—but found that pickleball suited him best.
“Us old athletes, we aspire to living our oats and want that next thing to conquer,” said Hollis. “Pickleball does it for me.”
Jeremiah Hollis speaks highly of the sport and how it helps older adults stay fit.
“We’re all aging and looking for something to energize us and keep us healthy,” he said. “There is a lot going on in our bodies and I was looking for something to do without getting hurt and to stay active. Pickleball has been the vehicle. It’s a great, great sport, and if I can do it, you can do it, too.”
Achievements and Honors
Jeremiah Hollis has five college degrees, including a chemical engineering degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Central Michigan University. He currently plays at the 4.0 skill level in pickleball and has won 16 tournament medals.
He has previously reached the podium at both the Detroit Senior Olympics and the Michigan Senior Olympics.
This year, Jeremiah Hollis was named one of 10 “Humana Game Changers” out of over 12,000 senior athletes. This award recognizes older adults who stay healthy and motivate others to do the same.
News in Brief: Veteran Pickleball Player Jeremiah Hollis
Jeremiah Hollis, 71, is competing in three pickleball events at the 2025 National Senior Games after overcoming multiple surgeries. He trains weekly in Michigan and promotes healthy aging through sport. Hollis, a 4.0 player and 16-time medalist, was also named a 2025 “Humana Game Changer” for inspiring others.
ALSO READ: How Pickleball and Purpose Helped Jeremiah Hollis Jr. Defy the Odds at 71