Chris’s pickleball journey began like it did for many during the pandemic—with a driveway net, a starter paddle, and a competitive spark that refused to stay quiet. After getting soundly beaten in his first real game at a local park, he made a vow to get better. One month, one upgraded paddle, and one long-awaited rematch later, he was hooked for life.

 

With a background in tennis and countless hours of self-teaching through YouTube, Chris learned the game during a time when in-person coaching was almost nonexistent. What started as casual lessons for friends quickly grew into roles at the Indianapolis Racquet Club and the Farmers Bank Fieldhouse in Lebanon, where he helped launch their pickleball programs. Today, as a PPR-certified instructor and member of the Indianapolis Pickleball Club staff, he focuses on helping players build a strong foundation of stance, grip, and movement—skills he believes unlock every player’s full potential.

Chris’s coaching style is welcoming, detail-oriented, and rooted in fundamentals. His priority is always the same: make pickleball accessible, help players improve quickly, and create an experience that keeps players excited to return to the court.

Off the teaching court, Chris plays in several pickleball tournaments each year and enjoys hockey, snowboarding, and golf—though he’ll admit those hobbies often take a back seat to pickleball these days. He and his wife, Cat, love supporting their son Jackson, a senior at Indiana University. And while Cat doesn’t play pickleball herself, she’s become known in the community as the tournament “superfan,” complete with PB&J sandwiches and encouragement for anyone who needs a boost.