Pickleball Hall of Fame
The Pickleball Hall of Fame was established to provide worldwide recognition to individuals who have made significant contributions to, or achievements in, the sport of pickleball. Individuals may be recognized as competitors, contributors or both. This includes competitors who have achieved exceptional results in their pickleball careers and other individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the growth, development and leadership of the game.
For competitors to be considered they must have dominated competition for at least a five-year period while playing at the highest level. Contributors are those who, over a 5-year period, have made significant national or international contributions to the sport. The organization currently strives to induct about 4 new members each year.
History
The PHOF was established by Seymour Rifkind in 2017. The original sponsors of the PHOF were the International Pickleball Teaching Professionals Association, USA Pickleball, Pickleball Central, Pickleball Magazine, and Pickleball Channel. The first induction ceremony took place in Casa Grande, Arizona on November 10, 2017 and honored six inaugural Pickleball Hall of Famers: Barney McCallum, Joel Pritchard, Arlen Paranto, Sid Williams, Billy Jacobsen, and Mark Friedenberg.In February and March 2021 Seymour Rifkind, at the age of 70, rode his bicycle over 3000 miles, from San Diego, California to St. Augustine, Florida, to bring attention to the sport of pickleball, and raise funds for the Pickleball Hall of Fame.
In September 2021 USA Pickleball, the de facto governing body for pickleball in the United States, established its own hall of fame named the USA Pickleball Hall of Fame and Museum. In March 2023, after significant pushback from the pickleball community, USA Pickleball reached an agreement with the original PHOF for there to be only one independent not-for-profit organization.