Pickleball Making Its Mark On American Lives In So Many Different Ways

Our favorite sport seems to find all sorts of ways to affect and improve our lives. Here are two very different examples of that from Texas and Florida.

Sports play a significant role in the military life at Fort Cavazos, Texas, so it was just a matter of time before pickleball started gaining traction with residents at the Great Place. 

“We Hope It Takes Off”

As its popularity grew, the Resident Advisory Board of Cavalry Family Housing decided to repurpose an aging tennis court in the Comanche II family housing area to give residents and pickleball enthusiasts a proper place to play.

Cavalry Family Housing members hold an impromptu ribbon-cutting ceremony on the new court back in December – courtesy of Janecze Wright

Chris Albus, the Cavalry Family Housing Project Director, told The Fort Cavazos Sentinel, “Our Resident Advisory Board (RAB) recommended putting the pickleball court in to replace one of these old tennis courts in order to keep up with the modern Army family. We hope it’s going to take off.”

Budding pickleballers now have the option to borrow equipment from the Comanche II Community Center or bring their own.

Healthy Competition

The initiative aims to cultivate healthy competition and unity within the community, as RAB President Leslie Cromer explains, “We want to bring the community together any way we can, and pickleball seems to be the way to do it.” 

Stressing the importance of accommodating the needs of Fort Cavazos residents, she also urged those interested in joining the RAB to get involved in decisions affecting the community.

According to Cromer, being part of the RAB allows individuals to be the voice of their community, and she encouraged others to join and bring fresh ideas to the board, emphasizing, “We definitely recommend anyone to come and join and bring new ideas to the board.”

Visit cavalryfh.com for more information about the RAB.

About Fort Cavazos

Fort Cavazos, situated near Killeen, Texas, is a prominent United States Army post. The fort is named after Richard E. Cavazos, a distinguished Texan and the first Hispanic four-star general in the U.S. Army. 

Originally named Fort Hood in honor of Confederate General John Bell Hood, the post is strategically positioned halfway between Austin and Waco, approximately 60 miles (97 km) from each city within the state of Texas.

Read another of our articles about Pickleball and the military by clicking here.

Cavalry Family Housing and Resident Advisory Board members on the new court back in December – courtesy of Janecze Wright

Bob Helder, a regular pickleball player at East Naples Community Park, often surprises onlookers when he tells them he is battling Parkinson’s Disease. 

Despite the occasional hand tremor or foot twitch, the impact on his game is generally minimal.

“It Is What It Is”

“On a given day, I may not have any tremors at all,” Bob told NBC2 News.

Reflecting on his journey since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008, Bob acknowledges the unforeseen path his life has taken. “You have to accept the fact that it is what it is,” he calmly remarks.

It was back in 2010, when Bob committed to regular pickleball sessions, that he noticed a positive shift in his life. Jim Obremski, a friend of Bob’s, noticed the unexpected improvement, stating, “I noticed he was getting better, which is kind of counterintuitive when you’ve got Parkinson’s Disease.”

Medical Experts Baffled

Medical experts are intrigued by Bob’s sustained functionality, considering his 16-year battle with Parkinson’s. While they can’t fully explain it, they attribute it to the consistent movements he carries out during his daily three- to four-hour sessions. 

Off the court, Bob spends time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Summing up his perspective, Bob expresses, “It’s all good. I actually think I’ve come out ahead.”

Check another of our articles on how pickleball is helping people with Parkinson’s.