OUR STORY
September 2021
IDEA OF CLUB
It all started with an idea. Brent Deuel had coached his games and was looking for something else to become passionate about. What better sport than pickleball? He did some research and found out that there were no pickleball courts in the Rockford area … the light went off and Rockford Pickleball Club came to life.
FACEBOOK STARTED
Watching the Detroit Lions lose another game, Mr Deuel thought it was time to begin the dream of Rockford Pickleball. He sat down and started to create the first post and introduce Rockford and West Michigan to Rockford Pickleball. He had no idea that this little idea would grow so fast.
OCTOBER 2021
OFFICERS ELECTED
After putting out a post for volunteers and contacting them, the first meeting was scheduled. We talked about a vision for the club and what we all wanted. The main goal was to promote the game, increase healthy lifestyles, and build courts in the Rockford area. We elected officers in that first meeting. This group is the heartbeat to the club and what drives us to the finish line.
President – Brent Deuel
Vice President – Kevin Chase
Secretary – Mitch Gathercole
Treasurer – Debie Kolehouse
Trustee – Sandy Peterson
Trustee – Steve Jazwiec
NOVEMBER 2021
LOGO CREATED
With no money but wanting an identity, Rockford Pickleball struggled on what to do. Should we try to create our own or go without a logo? Then a wonderful person, Linda Jirous, stepped up to the plate and gave us a contact and said she would pay for the logo. After many mock-ups, changes and talks the logo was created. A huge thank you goes out to Linda for the logo and all the behind the scene talks that she was so gracious to have with us.
january 2022
FIRST FUNDRAISERS
The first two fundraisers took place to kick-off 2022. We did an indoor ladder league that was played at the high school. Community Education was helpful with this and it was a huge success.
500 FACEBOOK FOLLOWERS
The Facebook page reached 500 followers on January 5th of 2022. We were starting to spread the word about pickleball in the Rockford area and what the mission of the club is.
june 2022
PICKLEBALL 101
The first beginner classes for pickleball are offered by The Club. Kevin, Brent, and Deb hosted sessions at North Rockford Middle School. The excitement for pickleball in the area was evident with the great response we got for the classes. This would later be expanded into some intermediate classes.
AUGUST 2022
WINNING STREAK CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED
At the annual luncheon for WMSC, the Winning Streak Campaign was announced. This was the official start to the fundraising for the 11+ million dollar expansion at the Meijer Complex. Tom Izzo was the keynote speaker for the event which featured a video with Lance Parish, Ambassador of Baseball, talking about the importance of the Meijer complex and what it has done for the West Michigan Community.
OCTOBER 2022
PARTNER WITH WEST MICHIGAN SPORTS COMMISSION
After many meetings, site visits, searching, and discussions, Rockford Pickleball entered into an agreement with WMSC to build pickleball courts at the Meijer Complex on 10 Mile Road. This decision secured the future of Rockford Pickleball and with the support of WMSC made this a viable goal. Mike Guswiler, President of WMSC, was a huge supporter of Rockford Pickleball and advocate for this being added to the Meijer Complex.