Foglia YMCA Helps Pickleball World Record Attempt

The Foglia YMCA was thrilled to help Dean Matt, the Pickleball Pilot, on his mission to set the Guinness World Record for Fastest Time to Play a Game of Pickleball in all 48 Contiguous States! While he unfortunately missed four states, we know he had a fantastic time on his journey!

Dean, who has roots in Chicagoland, dropped by the Foglia Y (his 27th stop) on Wednesday, May 17, on his mission to play 48 pickleball matches in 48 states in less than 48 days. Dean and teammate Rod Anderson played with Lake Zurich Mayor Tom Poynton and Masato Suzuki, chef and owner of DJ Bistro, having fun while raising money for the Foglia YMCA Summer Camp Scholarship Program and local charities Emmaus House of Hospitality and A Safe Place.

“I’m 63 years old, and I’ve been flying into most of these states anyway. This was a way to combine my love of aviation and my newfound love of pickleball,” Dean said in an interview with the Herald-Tribune.

The Foglia Y has been pickleball-ing for years (well before the nationwide pickleball craze), and we’re so excited to be a part of Dean’s efforts to write pickleball history! Dean wrapped up his adventure on Friday, May 26, having played in 44 states in 26 days. And Dean, thank you for including us in your journey!

Can’t get enough of pickleball? Well, neither can we! Here at the Foglia Y, we love the sport and have built a whole community around it. Come join in the fun, and check out our pickleball offerings — as well as our other programs and activities, all designed to help you learn, grow, and thrive — at the Foglia Y and across our Association!