BOISE AREA PICKLEBALL ASSOCIATION

Our deepest gratitude goes out to (from left) Steve Torrano, Kevin Johnson, Bill Wallace, Ken Reynolds, and Terri Bowns for all the hard work they have put in officiating our local tournaments, including the latest and largest, The Flying Pickle Open.  With over 400 registered players, and $17,000 in purse money, that's a lot of officiating.

For President
Michael Rocco has been serving as President-elect since February 2024. He has progressed and grown into the board responsibilities and is ready to serve as President. He has been on the receiving end of much kindness and service in his life and desires to give back to others and in particular, the pickleball community.

For Secretary
Kim Kilkenny’s career as a marketing professional has include 28 years at Intel Corporation and six years in advertising managing Fortune 500 accounts, small businesses, non-profits, and fund raisers across a number of industries and diverse audiences. As I move into retirement (yay!), I would like to bring my organizational and collaborative spirit to further the mission and goals for BAPA.

We are proud to share that BAPA donated $10,000 to the Wyakin Warriors Foundation! This would not have been possible without the support of our Sponsors, Donors, Volunteers, and Tournament Players. Thanks to all for making this such a huge success!

Over 225 players participated in BAPA’s 4th Annual Heroes Memorial Pickleball Tournament, graciously hosted by Eagle Tennis Club. More than 100 raffle prizes were won. A HUGE Thank You goes to our tournament sponsors:
Scheels, Selkirk, Tamarack Resort, Rembrandts, Altitude Physical Therapy, Ballard and Co. Insurance, Greyloch Custom Cabinetry, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tresidio Homes, Cody’s Appliance Repair, Black Sheep Properties, Bogus Basin Resort, Boise Thai Kitchen, Hybrid Health, Maggies Thai Kitchen, New Game Jewelry, Office Max, Paddletek, Purcell Compliance, and Stretch Labs.

We also want to give a shout-out to the Prize Donors of the Open Division Events - John Malan, Owyhee Oral Surgery - Glenn Spivey, Stalls, and Stripes Inc., - Mark and Holli McDonald, Gentle Dental - Melissa Slezak, Go Cross Bridge, - and Rebecca Johnson, Oola Life.

Would you like a $1600 fat-tire E-bike?

Purchase your $75 raffle tickets NOW!  Each ticket you purchase gives you a chance to win.  Ticket sales are limited to 200.

The drawing will be held on June 2 at the Heroes Memorial Tournament.  You do not need to be present to win.

You can also purchase $20 raffle tickets for paddles, balls, gear, gift cards, etc.

Click the links above to learn more and purchase your tickets.

The City of Meridian hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, October 27 to officially open the second phase of Discovery Park, Meridian’s newest regional park located in south Meridian. 

Discovery Park is located at 2121 E. Lake Hazel Road, between Eagle and Locust Grove Roads.

This expansion of Discovery Park, which broke ground in 2022, more than doubles the size of the existing park, bringing its total size to approximately 64 acres.

The park’s new amenities include an Active Area featuring six pickleball courts and two tennis courts dual-striped for pickleball; bocce ball courts; a 40-yard dash challenge; and basketball courts. The park’s Teen Area has a skatepark, a sand volleyball court, hammock poles, and a shelter with WiFi. Additional new attractions include a bike park and pump track; three additional softball fields (two of which will be illuminated); public art pieces and artisan-made benches; picnic shelters; a restroom/concession building; paved walking paths; more than 500 additional parking spaces; and room for a future community garden.

Below (in alphabetical by last name order) are the bios submitted by the current candidates for the 2023-2024 President-Elect Position: 

DAVID CLEVERDON

David Cleverdon is a proud Idaho native who deeply cherishes the lifestyle and quality of life that the Treasure Valley has to offer. A passionate advocate for his community, David's connection to the valley extends far beyond his birthright. As a dedicated business owner in the software development sector, he has a strong commitment to workplace safety and saving lives. His experience in project and resource management, combined with his ability to motivate and share a vision with his team, showcases his leadership abilities.

David's athletic journey has its roots in many years of tennis (USTA). However, since 2018, he shifted gears to embrace pickleball, playing on average, 3-4 times a week, as his schedule permits. His enthusiasm not only extends to playing, but also to giving back to the playing community, which is evident in his volunteer work with BAPA, ETC (Pickleball), and the previous years with the USTA.

Stepping into the role of President-elect for BAPA in 2023-24, and further transitioning to the role of President in 2024-25, David is determined to uphold and expand on the remarkable legacy of the Boise Area Pickleball Association. He eagerly anticipates the chance to cultivate and lead a team devoted to growing the vision of pickleball in the Treasure Valley.

KRIS KOJIAN

Hey there, I'm Kris, and I'm excited to be nominated for the role of President-elect at BAPA.

I've had some early success in my career, including my current position as an Executive Producer collaborating with movie studios and streaming channels. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend the past 20 years working with some of the world’s biggest brands at the forefront of marketing. That said, my professional journey commenced with a focus on nonprofit endeavors. Even as my professional lens has shifted, I’ve carried on contributing positively to the community. As a devoted volunteer, I've continued to actively engage with benevolent community-building organizations donating my time, resources, and abilities whenever possible.

Over the past five years, I’ve found a new passion that I want to explore more deeply: pickleball. I've made some incredible friendships on the court and even managed to hone in my dink shots while introducing new players to the game. My foray into the world of organized sports began during childhood, where I distinguished myself as a hockey player, eventually competing nationally at the collegiate level. This lifelong dedication to athletics instilled in me the values of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance—attributes that will shape my approach to leading BAPA.

Pickleball, for me, is a blend of all these experiences. It's not just a sport; it's a way to bring people together, to bridge gaps, and to have a ton of fun. As BAPA President, my aim is to fuse my digital marketing expertise with my community-driven approach. Imagine a mix of strategic growth, raising awareness, and inclusivity within the Boise area pickleball community.

I've seen firsthand how sports can be a catalyst for positive change, and I'm determined to make pickleball a cornerstone of our community. Whether you're a seasoned player or just getting started, I want pickleball to be your game of choice. Together, let's create a new chapter for sports and community through BAPA.

- Kris

Angie Rogers, a local school teacher and BAPA member, has worked with BAPA to secure pickleball kits to loan to PE teachers for use in their curriculum.

There are a total of 4 kits available to check out for 1 to 3 weeks and the kits include the following:

• 4 Portable pickleball nets
• 30 Selkirk paddles
• 30 pickleballs

Click here to learn more about this program.

By holding the Hero's Memorial Tournament, June 8-11, 2023, BAPA raised approximately $17,000 for the Challenged Athletes Foundation. 

In addition to the regular pickleball tournament, BAPA held the first tournament division for co-ed wheel chair athletes. Eight people partcipated in the division, just a portion of the 329 players who had fun over the weekend.

KTVB reported on the event.

BAPA recently held its first Just for Kids event at Settlers Park. 

Event coordinators Chris Haskins and Chris Mounier taught the kids different aspects of the game focusing on control and soft shots. 

There are many more events scheduled this summer for kids. If you know of a kid who might be interested, check out Just for Kids. Memberships are only $10, and events are $5 for JFK members.