About US Senior Pickleball

Built By Seniors, For Seniors

US Senior Pickleball is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting pickleball for those aged 50 and over through tournaments, resources, and community engagement. Our mission is to foster a thriving community of senior athletes who share a passion for the game.

Founded by passionate players seeking to create an inclusive environment, US Senior Pickleball began as a small gathering and has evolved into a thriving organization for senior athletes.

Photograph of the US Senior Pickleball board members
US Senior Pickleball and Humana logos

We have proudly served thousands of senior players across the nation, fostering friendships and sportsmanship among individuals who share a love for the game.

US Senior Pickleball has received several awards recognizing our contributions to senior sports, highlighting our commitment to an engaging and supportive pickleball community.

Our Mission

Inspiring Seniors to Live Life to the Fullest through the Joy of Pickleball!

US Senior Pickleball’s Core Values

Fun

We believe that life is too short to take yourself too seriously. We’re all about having a great time on and off the court!

Inclusion

Everyone is welcome, regardless of skill level, We’re here to support and encourage each other every step of the way.

Community

We’re building a family of senior pickleball enthusiasts who share our passion for the game and our values.

Personal goals

Helping inspire seniors to achieve new personal goals, while creating new memories, and friendships.

Our Story

Founded by a group of passionate pickleball players, US Senior Pickleball began as a small gathering of like-minded individuals. Over the years, we have grown into a vibrant organization serving thousands of senior players across the nation.

Our Commitment

We are committed to providing inclusive and engaging opportunities for senior athletes to compete, socialize, and enjoy the benefits of pickleball. Our programs and events are designed to cater to players of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced competitors.

Our Achievements

US Senior Pickleball has grown into the largest non-profit organization dedicated to Senior Pickleball. We have been honored with several awards recognizing our contributions to senior sports. These awards highlight our dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive community for senior pickleball players.

Join Us

Whether you’re a seasoned pickleball player or just starting out, we invite you to become a part of the US Senior Pickleball community. Join us for tournaments, clinics, and social events. Together, we can continue to promote the physical, mental, and social benefits of pickleball for seniors.

Meet The US Senior Pickleball Board of Directors

Tony Schneider

Tony Schneider

President

Tony brings a wealth of experience in leadership roles in non-profit organizations, as well as at the executive level in the field of aviation. He previously served as Federal Executive for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

His passion is pickleball both as a player and in volunteering to promote the sport at local clubs and schools. Part of his vision is to increase membership growth, expand the scope of USSP, and further establish industry partnerships.

Tony has excelled at assembling superior teams, empowering and coaching them, and then recognizing teams for their successful results. He understands the importance of community involvement in bringing pickleball to new players. He has a proven track record of innovation, collaboration, and achieving results.

Tony holds a Bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Airway Science with a concentration in computers and a master’s in Aviation Business Administration.

Mike Hoxie

Vice President

Family: One child, Evan + Fiancé – Robin and her three children Sam, Josh, & Molly
Education: BS Agriculture Business (Finance & Appraisal)– Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA
Retired Retail Management (25+ years), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Portland State (Continuous Improvement), Pickleball Is Great CEO/President (6 years)
Hobbies/Interests: Fishing, Travel, Foodie in search of great Hawaiian food
Pickleball – Former USA Pickleball Regional Director and Ambassador, Former President of Colombia River Pickleball
Pickleball Rating = 4.5 Men’s/Mixed & 4.0 Singles
2012-2019 – Multi-State medalist in Oregon, Washington, & California
laura photo

Laura Patterson

Secretary

Laura has a long history with pickleball as a player, referee, Ambassador and more.

She began playing pickleball in 2009. Eventually she determined that she needed to grow some competition in her area so she became a USA Pickleball Ambassador and started teaching pickleball wherever she could set up her portable net. Now there is plenty of good competition for her to play with!


Laura served as Secretary on the USA Pickleball board for ten years. She became a USA Pickleball certified referee in 2017 and is currently a referee trainer and mentor for the Mid-Atlantic region.


In addition to her pickleball activities, Laura also officiates fast pitch softball and high school and middle school volleyball, and she is a certified volleyball scorer and line judge for some DIII colleges.

Dennis Poppe

Sponsorship & Partnership Programs

Family: Wife Lucinda, 2 daughters Ashley & Chelsea, 2 Sons Justin & Allen with 3 grandchildren
Education: Washington State University
Career: Insurance broker for small business in the State of Washington for 20 years / Import Supplier to Walmart, Costco, and Home Depot for 20 years
Hobbies: Golf / Horses – Part owner of Commanding Curve who finished second in the Ky Derby in 2014
Pickleball rating – 4.0 MD & MXD – 2021 GOLD medal USAPA Nationals in MXD 65+ 4.0
What Pickleball Means to me; At age 65, I was feeling old, overweight, bored, and tired of dieting. I was also feeling isolated and unsure how to develop new friends. The only fun memories I had were from the past…..Then Something magical happened, I played my first game of Pickleball, and it felt like I belonged. It felt like home to me and still does. I feel younger when I play, I have developed personal goals, lost 45 pounds in 24 months, and gained hundreds of new friends. Pickleball is so much more than a game to me

Bill Schoen

Board Director

Family: Wife – Barbara 46 years, 3 children, Marty, Ryan, and Stefanie. 6 grandchildren and 1 more on the way
Education: BA University of Redlands, 1966. JD UCLA School of Law, 1969
Almost retired lawyer – practice mainly in Hawaii but licensed in California
Hobbies: Travel before Covid, Pickleball. Started playing in 2017 after 60 years of tennis
Pickleball Rating – 4.0 singles, 4.0 doubles, 3.5 mixed
USAP Nationals – 2021 – Gold, 3.5, 75+ mixed, Silver, 4.0, 75+ singles
USAPA Nationals – 2018 – Gold, 3.5, 70+ singles
USAPA Nationals – 2017 – Silver, 3.5, 70+
Found Pickleball in 2017 when my knees started giving out from tennis – try to play as much as possible
Brien Vokits

Brien Vokits

Director-at-Large

Brien brings ten years of experience playing pickleball, which includes being part of a team that organized the Southern Nevada Pickleball nonprofit organization and serving on their Board since 2021; also serving as a USA Pickleball Ambassador since 2020, Ambassador-at-Large for the International Federation of Pickleball in 2021, and USSP Ambassador since 2022.
Brien is also Commissioner for the City of Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. This role not only influences pickleball but also provides input for all public offerings by Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs. He has participated with multiple southern Nevada municipalities over the past five years to educate, foster change, and develop pickleball resources in the Valley.
Prior to retiring three years ago, Brien worked in healthcare management for 40+ years. He holds an MS degree in administration and in adult education, maintains a Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) national credential, became a Fellow with the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators, and was honored with emeritus status by that organization.
Brien’s “big hairy audacious goal” is to see our community host an international event inviting seniors from all over the world to compete. We think this sounds great and well within what is possible in the years ahead as we grow our programs and collaborate with partners around the world. Brien is proud to be one of our Lifetime members.

Tim Kuss

Member at Large

Family – three sons, Aaron, Lucas & Brandon & 2 grandchildren
Education: BA – Urbana University, MS – American Holistic College of Nutrition
Nutrition Consultant in private practice, founder and CEO of Infinity Health, a nutrition distribution and consulting business. Book author: A Guidebook to Clinical Nutrition for the Health Professional
Pickleball: IPTPA Teaching Professional & Colorado Regional Director, Twice USAPA National Medalist, Tournament Director – Colorado Open
Original SSIPA Board member & Former President of the SSIPA Board of Directors for 2 years
USSP Executive Director: Conduct and coordinate daily operations with the staff, coordinate the operations of USSP tournaments, promote the growth of Pickleball especially in the Senior community, maintain relationships with tournament directors, provide recommendations to the Board, evaluate the effectiveness of daily operations


Join us on this exciting journey!

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