Wisconsin Pickleball Tournament: Kim and Brian Swenson of Marinette, Wisconsin, organized one of the state’s largest pickleball tournaments this April at the Community REC Center, drawing 260 players. The couple hosts two tournaments yearly to grow the sport locally and raise funds for community causes.
Growing Pickleball in Marinette
The Swensons have been hosting tournaments for several years. “This is our seventh event,” Brian explained.
“We do two per year, a spring and a fall (tournament).” – (Brian)
They both play several times a week and travel to tournaments around the Midwest. Seeing the growth of pickleball inspired them to start a tournament in their town. “We started going to other tournaments and thought, ‘Why can’t we do it in Marinette?’” Kim recalled.
“We have a beautiful facility. We just kept pecking away at the obstacles, and all of a sudden we have 12 courts and 260 people.” – (kim)
Building Community Through Sport
The pickleball tournament welcomes players from all over Wisconsin and nearby states. Among the participants is Tanya Valenta, a local player who met the Swensons early in her pickleball journey. “Two of the best people I’ve ever met,” Valenta said, when asked to describe the Swensons.
“Brian and Kim have really kind of taken me under their wing and brought me out to meet people in Green Bay and Wausau, Antigo, all these people around the state. It’s been awesome to be able to go from meeting them for the first time, never holding a paddle before in my hand, to now being able to play with some of the best people in the state. It’s just been a dream.” – (Valenta)
The Swensons also run Learn to Play clinics and other events.
“Anybody can pick it up, anyone can play, and no one sells it better than Brian and Kim to make it as accessible as possible. Brian and Kim have gotten me out of the house. As a stay-at-home mom, didn’t really know a lot of people. They changed, kind of my life, in the last couple of years, and really brought me some lifelong friends, now, what i would call my best friends.” – (Valenta)
Giving Back to Local Causes
The tournament profits help fund community needs. “After we got our outdoor courts built and paid for, we just started looking for causes for our tournaments,” Brian explained.
“We really believe when people pick a tournament, they like to know what the cause is.” – (Brian)
Past funds helped build local outdoor courts. More recently, money has gone to support families affected by breast cancer and the Marinette High School band.
The Swensons credit much of their success to others. They thanked OSMS Orthopedic Sports Medicine Specialists and many volunteers who help before and after each event.
Looking Ahead
Kim and Brian say their events have connected them to people across Wisconsin.
“We’ve met people throughout the state of Wisconsin that we would never, ever, ever have met. People come together and they’re welcoming, so that means a ton. That’s what it’s all about. It’s about friendships and people feeling good about themselves.” – (kim)
Their next tournament will likely be in the fall.
“We’ll continue to run tournaments until we get divorced. It gets pretty stressful.” – (Brian)
News in Brief: Wisconsin Pickleball Tournament
Kim and Brian Swenson hosted one of Wisconsin’s biggest pickleball tournaments in April, drawing 260 players to Marinette’s REC Center. Their events raise funds for local causes and help grow the sport. The couple plans to hold their next tournament in the fall.
ALSO READ: Kaite Davis Memorial Pickleball Tournament Unites 240+ Players for Scholarships and Legacy