Lessons From Pickleball Icon Joyce Jones

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Hi, I'm Shelley Maurer. And I'm Cher Emrick. Welcome to Life Lessons from Pickleball, where we engage with pickleball players from around the world about life on and off the court. Thanks for joining us. Welcome everyone to Life Lessons from Pickleball. We are really excited to have the amazing Joyce Jones joining us today. And not only Joyce, but also her daughter Sandy. And we hope Sherry can join too. She's having a little tech difficulties, but if she pops in, we will love it. In any case, we found out that Sandy and Sherry, and I think their brother Bruce, were submitting their mom's name for the Pickleball Hall of Fame. And we wanted them to join in this amazing conversation. because we believe Joyce should be in the Pickleball Hall of Fame, too. So welcome to both of you, and we hope Sherry can join, too. Yes. How fun to have you guys with us. Joyce, you are 94 years young, and you've lived in Seattle all of your life. You're a mom, a grandmother, and you're an icon in the pickleball community. Before we get into your pickleball journey, tell us about your early life as an athlete. What kind of sports, what sports did you play? Well, before we do that, I'm also a great-grandmother. Great-grandmother? We can't, wow! Three great-grandchildren. Wow, that's so cool. Well, I started in high school playing badminton and I could beat any boys in high school. And so I thought I was pretty hot stuff. And I met my husband to be roller skating. He was a sailor in the Navy. And then I found out that he played badminton. And before that, we made him an honorary member of our skating club because he could do all the dance steps that we could do. So... He became an honorary member of our group. And then I found out he plays badminton. So I challenged him to a game. And so his parents ran a badminton group at their church, the University Methodist Temple. And so he took me over there. And not only did I not get a point, but I didn't even get to serve the bird because he won the toss and won 15 straight points. So I found out I wasn't such hot stuff after all. Then, so I eventually married him. And as soon as I got out of high school and I, I didn't mind his beating me. I didn't want him to give me a point, but I sure didn't want to get skunked. And so it kind of rubbed me the wrong way. So I decided I was going to beat him at some sport. And he had to work and I had leisure time. So I decided to practice sports. different sports that i thought i could get fairly good at and so over the years after we got married i challenged him to racquetball table tennis tennis um tried every bowling i tried every sport that i could do anything in or play decently And he beat me in all of them. And so when he got an infected kidney and had to have it removed, and so at his two-week exam, he jumped up on the table and the doctor says, my, you're certainly spry for just having major surgery two weeks ago. And Don says, does that mean I can play tennis? And the doctor looked rather skeptical, but he said, well, when did you think you wanted to try? And he says, well, I can get a court in 10 minutes. Because at that time, we did own a tennis club on Aurora and 115th. He always loved to say that our members... went from the womb to the tomb because Northwest Hospital was on one side of us and the cemetery was on the other. So anyway, we did go out and play then. And the doctor says, play very carefully now, please. And don't push yourself too much. Well, I didn't think about him. I thought about this being the time I was gonna beat him. And so we played for a whole hour and I didn't beat him. I sat on the court and I said, okay, Don, You're going to live and die in your glory because I'm not going to be able to beat you at anything. And he did. And so anyway, then I started playing tennis when we bought the tennis club. I was 46, and both Don and I decided if we're going to own a tennis club with a few of our other friends that we – should probably know how to play tennis. And so we started playing tennis. And, uh, uh, then when, uh, well, actually Dawn grew up playing with Joel Pritchard, the inventor and playing badminton. And, uh, so when he invented pickleball, it was in 1965. And, uh, We were still both playing badminton and tennis. And so we really weren't interested in tackling another sport because we didn't have time to play anymore. So Joel didn't teach us the game of pickleball until 1980. And so I've been playing it for 44 years now. Wow. Wow. And I absolutely love it. Once I started playing pickleball, I started also working for it and volunteering constantly for it. And I dropped my work with badminton and tennis. But I'd given a lot of years to those two sports. So... The baseball is my baby now. It's your passion. And you've taught everybody in your family, right? I did. Sandy, did you have a teacher mom? Yeah, actually, they closed their tennis club, and then they went to another club out in Everett. And they started teaching pickleball and badminton. They had both nets up in the gym at this club. And I live in West Seattle, and they wanted me to come up to Everett. Come play this pickleball. So finally, I went up there and I played. And it was really, really fun. And I think the second time I went up there, I played pickleball. And then I went to play badminton. I could not hit the bird on the strings the entire game. So I've never played badminton again since. That's true. She swung and missed. And she'd played badminton all her life. And yet she swung and missed and swung and missed. I couldn't go from the paddle to the racket. But she did great in pickleball. That's so funny. And I really never played pickleball again for years and years. No, I never played pickleball for years. And then during COVID, I was stuck with Sherry was living in Phoenix at the time. And I was flying home from Australia. And I was afraid they were going to close SeaTac. And I was supposed to be going to Africa the next week. And so I called Sherry from L.A. And I said, can I just come down there? And then I could fly to Africa from San Francisco or L.A. She goes, yeah, come on down. So I bought a one-way ticket to Phoenix. And then the next day, Africa closed their borders. SeaTac didn't get closed, but I wasn't going to Africa. But then there was no reason for me to come home to Seattle. So I just stayed with Sherry for three and a half months. And she played pickleball down there. And so that's when I started playing. And then I thought, okay. When I came back to Seattle then in June, I went to the local courts here and talked with a few people and then just started playing. And gosh, I was playing like every day, like sometimes twice every day. Not lately, but back then when I had nothing else to do. Now she can't do it because she's traveling constantly. Oh, is that right? Well, that must have thrilled you, Joyce, to have your daughter or is everybody so into this game that it was your passion? Oh, absolutely. Well, so many family members I got to playing it, including my brother, who is now 80, and he just picked it up and loved it like everybody else does. And so he was very grateful that I got him into it. And there's about... Oh, 10 to 15 of our family members that play it now. And so we get together every couple months or so and have a family pickleball party, and then we go out to lunch. Oh, how fun. That is so fun. It just amazes me at 94, you're playing pickleball. It's just incredible.

UNKNOWN 10:54

Yeah.

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How many times a week, how often are you playing? How are you, what do you, do you do other exercises to be able to do this? Just tell us. How are you doing this Joyce? No, I only play it two or three times a week, but I am thinking about, I have a lot of arthritis in my hands and I'm, that's why I had to quit tennis because I quit it two years ago because I, the arthritis, the tennis racket was so much heavier than the pickleball paddle. And so it would hurt my hand. I couldn't grip it tight enough. So I couldn't make the shots that I was used to making. And I just, when you can't, when you're used to playing well and then don't play so well, then you don't enjoy it so much anymore. So I gave the tennis up. And when my arthritis gets so bad in my hands, then I still want to go to the tournaments and see all my friends that I've made over all these years and meet new ones. And so I I am now, I've entered, when I go to the Huntsman World Games in October, I am entered, I've entered myself in the 50 meter and 100 meter in track and field. Oh my gosh. Because that's the only sport I could find that I didn't need to use my hand for. So I still want to go to tournaments and I still want to compete. And so I'm going to give this a try.

SPEAKER_01 12:44

So I've signed

SPEAKER_00 12:45

up for it in the Huntsman World Games now already. So I've got to start training for that. Wow. I haven't trained for the pickleball because I figured two or three times a week is fine. Of course, maybe I should a little more since I pulled my hamstring and it took five months to heal. But I'm going to have to start running training for that. The 50 and 100 meter. What an inspiration you are. What an inspiration is right. Well, I just, I have such a wonderful life. I have all my life. I mean, it's just, I feel so fortunate to still be able to do this. So I'm really a lucky, lucky person. And I have a great family, just wonderful family. And I can't think of anything more amazing Oh, I am right now. Oh, I wanted to add in training. She was living on the sixth floor of her building and she was trying to build up her endurance and stamina and she would. take the stairs instead of the elevator up and down in her building. Wow. Six floors. Oh, my gosh. Well, yeah, I guess I do do a little training. Yeah. So you have a really fun story about a birthday celebration at a tournament. Yes. Can you tell that story? Okay, I will. I'd love to. I went to Mesa two months ago. Let's see, three months ago, which is a qualification tournament for the pickleball nationals to be held in Mesa in November. And I had pulled my hamstring quite a few months before, but I thought I was ready for this tournament. And I played... in ladies doubles with a partner who was 75. And so we had to play in the 75 to 79. And she was a 4.0 ranked player and I'm a 3.0. So I had to play up to ranking divisions and in the 75 to 79 age division. And we ended up winning the silver. Congratulations. Which was more of a shock to us than anyone, I think. We did not expect that at all. And so I thought it's going to be a great tournament. But I pulled my hamstring again. And so the next day was mixed doubles. And I told my partner that I would... be out on the court with him

The Legacy of Pickleball Icon

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in 75s and above, you don't have to win. All you have to do is play in the event. And then you qualify because they're trying to build up the older age divisions, the tournaments in the older age division. So there's 91. And he was 91. Yeah, yeah. And Gil is 91, my mixed doubles partner. And in order to qualify, we had to play a match. And so we went out and his best shot is serve. Very fast, very tough, very seldom misses. People have a hard time returning it. But it was... tremendously windy that day one of the windiest days i've ever played in but i told him i will stand out there if uh if you want me to to so you can qualify because we wanted to play together in the nationals and i'll hit anything i can reach but i can't move and so he said that's fine But he's an indoor player. He does not like to play outdoors. And so with the wind as it was, he got one serve in in the whole game. And of course, I couldn't hit much. So we were pretty discouraged after this mixed doubles. And we came off the court. And here greeting me were two gals from the committee at the tournament committee. And they presented me with this lovely basket of goodies. And it had in it a pickleball paddle. And on one side of it said, happy birthday, Joyce. And the other side said, Blue Zone Kitchen. And so on the loudspeaker, There were 41 courts there, and you could hear the loudspeaker from court one to 41. And they announced, we would like to welcome Joyce Jones to our tournament. She is playing singles, doubles, and mixed. And she is also celebrating her 94th birthday today. And so we want you all to wish her a happy birthday. And you can recognize her because she always wears a sparkle hat at the tournaments. And so... There were 1,300 players in that tournament, and there must have been half of them at least that wished me a happy birthday on that day and the next day. If they missed my birthday, they did it the next day. So it started out a very discouraging tournament and ended up one of my very favorites. Oh, that is such a sweet story. And do you still play with that paddle?

UNKNOWN 19:16

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 19:17

I do. I love it. I didn't think I'd like it because it's heavier than my one I was using. Two ounces heavier. The one I was using was 8.3, and this one was 7.3, and this one was 9.4, I think. Wow. I checked with it. I loved it. And so I thought, I better check and make sure it's okay to play in tournaments with it. Oh, yeah. And it wasn't. Oh. And so I told her, I can't play with this because I can't practice fun games and then go out in a tournament and play. with another paddle, my old paddle. And so she says, oh, no problem. We'll get you a new one. Oh, wow. And so I said, okay, well, if you do, put it in between like eight ounces so that it'll be heavier than the one I was using, but not as heavy as the one they got. So they're working on that right now. And they're sponsoring you? Pardon? And they're sponsoring you? They are sponsoring me, yes. They're giving me... All the free coupons I want for their meals. The Blue Zone Kitchen, I should explain, is the six places in the whole world that have the most people living there, over 100. Wow. And one is in California. I can't remember. It's Loma Linda. Oh, is it? Yeah. Good for you. You know about it then. Yes. Okay. So anyway, they're sponsoring me. Well, they must have had at least a dozen things in the basket. And then they're giving me coupons for all the free things. And they have a cookbook that's fantastic. And it has all of the recipes that these six places eat, the foods that they eat. And I don't know what more they're going to do, but they're going to... At least give me a new rack of that new paddle. That's pretty sweet. But I have a couple other sponsors, too. Have you? My kids have been sponsoring me for a while, but now I have where I went for therapy for my hamstring pull. That company is sponsoring me. And I have a couple others that... that are paying my way for a couple of the entry fee for a couple of tournaments. And one is paying my airfare one to one tournament. And so two years ago, well, actually when I was 90, I never got any attention when I was 91. No, no one thought, you know, thought that was wonderful and good for me. But the last two years in 23 and 24, all of a sudden I'm getting stressed. showered with all these people who want to interview me and writing articles and doing videos and doing podcasts and so I don't know why all of a sudden but it's very exciting and I'm enjoying it there's lots of fun well it's about time you're getting your due because my goodness and Sandy you and your sister and brother are submitting your mom And what are the requirements? The Pickleball Hall of Fame has two different categories. One's competitors for pro tournament players. And the other one is for contributors who have made substantial contributions to the sport of pickleball. And so... I don't know. I feel like I've written a book. Not a bad idea. She's had a lot of accomplishments. She's done so many different things to promote pickleball and played in so many tournaments, won so many awards. And then... all the publicity that she's been getting particularly lately. So it's, I hope that they choose her this time. They only choose one person. And there's so many that, you know, have done so much for pickleball, especially the last 15 or 20 years. And so, um, The Hall of Fame just started in 2017. And so they started out giving, I think it was maybe five or six, but now they only give one competitor and two contributors. One competitor and two contributors. Well, the opposite. One contributor and two competitors. And can we write some, I mean, how do we support this idea of you being admitted into the Hall of Fame? Is there a website that we can write testimonials about you or anything like that? How can we encourage them to choose you? As part of the Hall of Fame nomination, I could put a quote from Life Lessons from Pickleball. Yes, you will. In fact, you can send a link to this episode and they'll see just how wonderful she is, too. We'll definitely make sure that we get a quote to you for sure. Yeah, for sure. That's great. So, Shelley, you were going to say something? No, it just was amazing. Yeah, it is amazing. I'm just thrilled that we get to be chatting with you. So you've had a few years on the pickleball court and wondering, Joyce, what life lessons might you have gleaned either in life that you've taken onto the court to be a better player or that you've learned on the court in your experience there and you've taken into life? Well, I've learned that you have to keep active in order to survive the way you want to survive. And the best way to do it is with the game of pickleball, because it's so easy to pick up badminton and tennis. You have to play it. for several months before you get good enough to have good rallies going. But pickleball, you can go right out on the court and you can just enjoy playing it right off the bat. And I tell this to people constantly that they might think that they can't do it, but go out and give it a try. And also, if they are discouraged the first time, don't give up because after... A few times, they'll get so that they'll love it. And most people, once they try it, they love it. So I just feel like it's something that everybody should try. I agree. You're crying. Oh, you really touched her heart.

UNKNOWN 27:43

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 27:44

So true. And Joyce, why do you think,

Pickleball Legacy and Inspiration

SPEAKER_00 27:48

what is it that makes you such a good player when you're on the court? Are you super focused on the ball? Are you relaxed? Do you do what I do, which is think about the grocery list while I'm in the middle of the chat room? I don't get nervous because I played tournaments all my life. So I never get nervous. And that really helps me a lot. But I really focus. I don't hear anything that's going on around me when I'm playing. I am very focused. That's huge. The tiger... And wants to be a winner. Very motivated. I am a competitor. Well, you know, my burning question is, did you ever beat Don at pickleball? No. No, I never beat him at anything. You never beat the guy at anything. I was hoping you would say a pickleball. No, he beat me at pickleball. I did not ever beat him at anything. Wow. So he was the goat. It made him happy. But he was the type that played all these sports just because he enjoyed it. He... He competed with me. We played tournaments together because I wanted to. But he would have been just as happy just to play it for fun. And he refereed basketball and football for 30 years. Oh, wow. And so he was in very good condition. He was a great athlete. And he did that because he enjoyed it, loved it. And we're... 12 of our family members are going up the end of August to Alaska, which was one of his favorite places because he went up there to work basketball tournaments. And also it was his territory. He sold sporting goods to schools and teams. And in fact, he worked one basketball tournament where 20 of the 22 teams in this tournament were wearing his uniforms. Oh, wow. So I asked him if those two teams got a lot more fouls. And he also, after he retired from basketball, I bought him a ticket for basketball. Christmas gift, a ticket to go up and watch the basketball tournament after he had retired for about 10 years. And he walked in to the gymnasium and the same announcer that was There when he was officiating for 10 years there. And he says, well, I'll be darned. Look who just walked in the door. Oh, my God. Don Jones, my favorite official. And so he loved Alaska. And so... We've decided, Sandy decided, she's had his ashes all these years. He passed away seven and a half years ago. And she's had his ashes all these years. And so 12 of my family members are going to go up. on a cruise and scatter his ashes. Oh, that's really special. Oh, that's really... That was all Sandy's idea, too. And we're cruising on Holland America and all the Holland America ships have pickleball courts. Oh, my God. I didn't even know that. Okay, you need to send Holland America a link to this episode, too, because they need to know the famous person who is stepping onto that ship. I never thought I was a cruise person, but now I think I am. Oh, what a lovely idea. And oh my goodness. I just know that your dad and your husband and dad is going to be there with you. Just celebrating that whole experience is my bias. Thank you. Oh, Oh, that's really lovely. I can't believe that the time is almost up. But before we close, what encouragement might you have for people of all levels and ages and abilities who are kind of nervous about trying pickleball? Well, I think I kind of hit on that before, that I... talk to people all the time about trying it. And even if they think they can't do it, to give it a try. And I do have three extra paddles, so I always offer, you know, to give them a paddle and let them try it. They don't have to buy anything and just go out and give it a try. So there are several, I live at Norse Home, and there are several who... want to go and watch me play and i could probably get them out to hit a few but i i play for two or three hours and i know that they would never want to stay that long so i can't really take anyone with me and they don't drive so i haven't been able to get that worked out but um Everywhere I go, everybody I talk to, I always tell them what a great game it is and that they absolutely have to give it a try. Well, anyone who watches or listens to this... will be inspired to do just that. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, both of you. Sandy, thank you so much. And we feel Sherry and Bruce with us and with their loving energy. And Joyce, like Shelly said, you are a total inspiration. And I have no more excuses. I guess I just have to... exercise and get out on the court and oh my goodness such an inspiration and we look forward to the ceremony when you are inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame yes we do Thank you. I would be very excited and thrilled if it happened, but I'm not counting on it because there's so many others that have been working hard on Pickleball, too. No doubt, but we believe it's your turn. The deadline is just a few days away, and so I think it takes a month or so. for them to decide who the finalists are. And so we can let you know when we hear something. Absolutely. And we'll see you on the court. okay sounds good thank you thank you

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SPEAKER_00 35:43

so much thank you and thank you to everyone who's been listening and watching wow if you weren't inspired today there isn't anything that can inspire my goodness 94 years old and we are just delighted to have had you today bye everybody and hey by the way stay tuned because we have some information on how you can be supporting this podcast thanks so much bye bye if you love our podcast we'd be so grateful if you take a few seconds to follow or subscribe to Life Lessons from Pickleball. This ensures you'll never miss an episode and helps us continue these wonderful conversations. On Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, go to the show page and tap the follow button in the top right corner. And on YouTube, click the subscribe button under any of the episodes. Thanks so much. Hope to see you on the court.