USA PICKLEBALL
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Celebrate the Legacy of Pickleball
Introducing the Founder’s Legacy Cup
Celebrate the Legacy of Pickleball at the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships! Debuting at the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships, The Founder’s Legacy Cup honors the sport’s origins and its visionary founders, Barney McCallum, Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell.
A Tribute to the Game We Love
This trophy is more than just a symbol of victory; it celebrates the pioneers of pickleball and every athlete who contributes to the sport’s growth. USA Pickleball is committed to honoring the roots of the game while evolving the game for future generations. During this year’s Nationals, we invite all competitors and attendees to Arizona for an unforgettable tournament experience where the Founder’s Legacy Cup will be on display.
As the USA Pickleball Nationals make their return to Arizona, the Founder’s Legacy Cup will be on display for competitors and attendees to take photos with during the tournament. It will be positioned in front of a photo backdrop showcasing the Sonoran Desert landscape, a nod to the Nationals’ return to Arizona.
Design Inspired by History
The trophy, which features a vintage design reflecting the game’s 1960s roots, prominently displays an image of pickleball’s founders, McCallum, Pritchard and Bell, on the pickleball courts honoring their love of the game. Their names displayed on the trophy, ensuring their legacy is forever tied to the event.
The wooden base of the trophy is made from walnut, a popular wood type in mid-century design, evoking the era when pickleball was founded. The dark wooden base also pays homage to Maldone wood, beloved by founder McCallum, which thrived in the Pacific Northwest, where the game originated. The 90-degree corners of the base represent the sharp, decisive nature of competition on the pickleball court.
A Lasting Connection
Atop the base, the gold cup features an open top to house pickleballs, symbolizing the connection between athletes and their performance. Gold, silver and bronze medalists will be invited to place their match-winning pickleballs into the trophy, creating a lasting legacy tied to their Nationals victories.