WEBVTT NOTE Created by CaptionSync from Automatic Sync Technologies www.automaticsync.com 00:00:00.036 --> 00:00:04.266 align:middle >> Speaker 1: Looking for fascinating conversations with industry thought leaders? 00:00:04.336 --> 00:00:10.096 align:middle Want to get the inside scoop from local legends? 00:00:10.836 --> 00:00:14.466 align:middle Interested in the stories behind the stories from celebrated visionaries? 00:00:17.906 --> 00:00:21.016 align:middle This is your home for the best our university has to offer. 00:00:22.376 --> 00:00:24.056 align:middle Welcome to We Are IU. 00:00:25.516 --> 00:00:29.766 align:middle [ Music ] 00:00:30.266 --> 00:00:32.186 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: Welcome to We Are IU. 00:00:32.186 --> 00:00:35.066 align:middle I am your host, Nattie Meador, associate director 00:00:35.066 --> 00:00:38.006 align:middle of alumni engagement at the IU Alumni Association. 00:00:38.006 --> 00:00:41.396 align:middle And today's episode's a little spicy. 00:00:41.726 --> 00:00:45.856 align:middle We're diving into the growing world of collegiate pickleball, 00:00:46.246 --> 00:00:50.156 align:middle where IU isn't just competing, we are dominating. 00:00:50.216 --> 00:00:52.706 align:middle I am so excited to get into this conversation 00:00:52.706 --> 00:00:55.606 align:middle with our championship Indiana University pickleball team. 00:00:56.066 --> 00:00:57.316 align:middle Team, how are we today? 00:00:57.786 --> 00:00:58.226 align:middle >> John Moorin: All good. 00:00:58.226 --> 00:00:58.466 align:middle >> Carter Maris: Good. 00:00:58.466 --> 00:00:58.626 align:middle >> Timber Tucker: Great. 00:00:58.626 --> 00:00:59.266 align:middle >> Mehvish Safdar: Doing great. 00:00:59.526 --> 00:01:02.266 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: I'm so glad that you all are with us. 00:01:02.266 --> 00:01:06.896 align:middle I thought to get us started, we could go around and do a bit of introductions and background. 00:01:07.296 --> 00:01:09.326 align:middle Carter, I'd love for you to get us started. 00:01:09.326 --> 00:01:14.116 align:middle Let us know your name, perhaps what year you are at IU, 00:01:14.116 --> 00:01:17.286 align:middle and what got you interested in pickleball. 00:01:18.166 --> 00:01:20.216 align:middle >> Carter Maris: Yeah, so my name is Carter Maris. 00:01:20.706 --> 00:01:24.766 align:middle I just finished up my freshman year at Indiana University. 00:01:24.766 --> 00:01:26.686 align:middle So, I'll be a sophomore next year. 00:01:27.386 --> 00:01:32.736 align:middle And funny enough, my older brother actually went to IU as well, 00:01:33.226 --> 00:01:37.456 align:middle and he played on the club team his senior year. 00:01:37.986 --> 00:01:41.036 align:middle And so, at the time, I was playing soccer. 00:01:41.036 --> 00:01:46.046 align:middle I played soccer my whole life in an academy team. 00:01:46.396 --> 00:01:51.786 align:middle And he was telling me how fun pickleball was when he joined the club team 00:01:52.116 --> 00:01:54.576 align:middle and he started to get super into it. 00:01:54.576 --> 00:01:59.586 align:middle And so during over a Christmas break that he had, we, the whole family, 00:01:59.586 --> 00:02:02.066 align:middle went out and we started playing and I fell in love with it, 00:02:02.066 --> 00:02:03.376 align:middle and it's been a journey ever since. 00:02:03.646 --> 00:02:04.526 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: That's awesome. 00:02:05.536 --> 00:02:06.286 align:middle How about Mehvish? 00:02:06.286 --> 00:02:07.086 align:middle I'd love to hear from you. 00:02:07.916 --> 00:02:08.296 align:middle >> Mehvish Safdar: Yeah. 00:02:08.296 --> 00:02:11.436 align:middle So, you don't want to know what year I am in my doc program, 00:02:11.436 --> 00:02:14.966 align:middle but I'm currently a PhD student at Indiana University. 00:02:15.486 --> 00:02:21.096 align:middle And so, yeah, my story of getting started in pickleball is a fun one. 00:02:21.096 --> 00:02:27.966 align:middle So in 2022-ish, so I've been playing pickleball for about three years now, 00:02:27.966 --> 00:02:31.426 align:middle I was going through kind of like a difficult season of life, 00:02:31.426 --> 00:02:38.026 align:middle like just entered the doc program during COVID, was transitioning out of collegiate sport 00:02:38.026 --> 00:02:43.326 align:middle and I was like I need something competitive or just active back in my life. 00:02:43.326 --> 00:02:50.896 align:middle So, I Google searched pickleball in Bloomington and I came across Timber's name. 00:02:50.896 --> 00:03:00.376 align:middle And I emailed him and soon enough I got into this league that Timber ran and got a bunch 00:03:00.376 --> 00:03:07.276 align:middle of Bloomington uncles and started playing recreationally and occasionally in 2022, 00:03:07.486 --> 00:03:10.646 align:middle and then IU pickleball, and now I'm in the pro pickleball space. 00:03:10.646 --> 00:03:12.466 align:middle So, it's been a fun journey. 00:03:13.136 --> 00:03:13.956 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: That's so fun. 00:03:14.196 --> 00:03:19.416 align:middle I think some of us, at one time or another, have Googled "pickleball clubs in our community" 00:03:19.416 --> 00:03:23.146 align:middle and I love the connection that it's brought you and I can't wait to dive into that. 00:03:23.366 --> 00:03:24.386 align:middle So, you mentioned Timber. 00:03:24.386 --> 00:03:26.186 align:middle Timber, I'd love to get to know you a bit better 00:03:26.186 --> 00:03:29.376 align:middle and how you became involved with the IU pickleball team. 00:03:30.406 --> 00:03:34.496 align:middle >> Timber Tucker: So, there was a a student, Sam Hutner, he's just graduated. 00:03:34.846 --> 00:03:39.706 align:middle Sam and I had kind of started a recreational team at IU. 00:03:39.706 --> 00:03:46.426 align:middle And Sam, it'd be three years ago, three years now upcoming in September, Sam called me 00:03:46.426 --> 00:03:50.086 align:middle and said, "Did you know there's competitive pickleball in college?" 00:03:50.476 --> 00:03:53.786 align:middle And I was like, "No, but I do know two students we're going to call right away", 00:03:54.066 --> 00:04:00.916 align:middle one of them being Mehv and one of them being Carter Wittendorf who's on our team. 00:04:01.286 --> 00:04:02.846 align:middle And so it's just kind of taken off from there 00:04:02.846 --> 00:04:06.556 align:middle and it's just been an absolute joy in my life to be a part of this. 00:04:06.826 --> 00:04:07.786 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: That's so exciting. 00:04:07.986 --> 00:04:08.976 align:middle And John, how about you? 00:04:09.986 --> 00:04:13.876 align:middle >> John Moorin: So, I graduated from IU many, many moons ago, 00:04:13.876 --> 00:04:15.666 align:middle but I played collegiate tennis down there. 00:04:15.926 --> 00:04:19.316 align:middle And so, as I was winding up my tennis career, 00:04:19.316 --> 00:04:24.446 align:middle friends asked us to start playing some pickleball. 00:04:24.676 --> 00:04:32.216 align:middle So I went out and played for four weeks, and I entered the US Open and I won the US Open. 00:04:32.716 --> 00:04:34.016 align:middle So it kind of hooked me. 00:04:34.386 --> 00:04:39.346 align:middle So I've been playing competitively for the last seven or eight years and I travel 00:04:39.346 --> 00:04:43.096 align:middle around the country and, you know, play in my division and really enjoy it, 00:04:43.096 --> 00:04:45.486 align:middle and I'm very excited to be involved with the program. 00:04:45.486 --> 00:04:47.686 align:middle Timber's energy's just been magnificent. 00:04:47.686 --> 00:04:48.856 align:middle The kids have been terrific. 00:04:49.786 --> 00:04:52.776 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: I've always been so curious, because I hear a lot of folks 00:04:52.776 --> 00:04:57.136 align:middle who are former tennis players who have entered the space of pickleball. 00:04:57.466 --> 00:05:02.416 align:middle And considering that the Indiana University team is really competitive, y'all have had a lot 00:05:02.416 --> 00:05:04.816 align:middle of really great success over the last few years. 00:05:05.266 --> 00:05:10.996 align:middle And so I know people would be very interested in hearing how the IU pickleball team got started 00:05:10.996 --> 00:05:15.386 align:middle and the competitiveness of the program versus the, you know, 00:05:15.816 --> 00:05:18.796 align:middle the recreational sort of side of things as well. 00:05:18.796 --> 00:05:21.466 align:middle So, can can someone start us off and talk a little bit 00:05:21.466 --> 00:05:25.306 align:middle about what training looks like for for the team? 00:05:25.446 --> 00:05:27.966 align:middle And, actually, what the team name is? 00:05:28.166 --> 00:05:29.476 align:middle I'd love to know that as well. 00:05:30.326 --> 00:05:31.746 align:middle Carter, maybe you could get us started. 00:05:33.036 --> 00:05:33.536 align:middle >> Carter Maris: Yeah. 00:05:34.116 --> 00:05:36.336 align:middle Well, I obviously am newer to the team. 00:05:36.336 --> 00:05:41.876 align:middle Timber can touch a little bit more than I can on, you know, how the team got started 00:05:41.876 --> 00:05:47.596 align:middle and stuff, but I will say we have a very passionate group out there. 00:05:48.046 --> 00:05:52.226 align:middle And the club team as a whole is pretty big. 00:05:52.226 --> 00:05:58.276 align:middle I think we had, this past season, around 35, and obviously some a little bit more dedicated 00:05:58.276 --> 00:06:03.126 align:middle than others, but every person on the team brought a fun element to the team 00:06:03.126 --> 00:06:05.796 align:middle and made it the community that it was. 00:06:06.096 --> 00:06:08.646 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: Timber, what are your reflections on some of the, 00:06:08.986 --> 00:06:15.056 align:middle as you think about how the team has grown over the years, maybe from the start of your idea 00:06:15.636 --> 00:06:19.866 align:middle with Sam some few years ago, how it's grown and what you see it to be today? 00:06:20.606 --> 00:06:24.476 align:middle >> Timber Tucker: Well, we just had our fourth national championship. 00:06:24.476 --> 00:06:25.446 align:middle It's really new. 00:06:25.446 --> 00:06:27.586 align:middle We got into it. 00:06:27.586 --> 00:06:29.986 align:middle We've been to three of those national championships, 00:06:30.446 --> 00:06:33.866 align:middle and that first year nobody knew us. 00:06:33.986 --> 00:06:35.746 align:middle We were a new team that came out of nowhere. 00:06:36.066 --> 00:06:42.886 align:middle We played in a big regional in Michigan and we had, you know, we had Mehvish and we had Sam 00:06:42.996 --> 00:06:47.206 align:middle and Carter Wittendorf and Thea Bertolini, who's coming back to the team this year, 00:06:47.486 --> 00:06:49.536 align:middle and we came out of nowhere and won that tournament. 00:06:49.536 --> 00:06:52.976 align:middle Nobody knew about us, so we just made a big splash on the scene. 00:06:53.326 --> 00:06:56.496 align:middle College pickleball is largely -- the men are important, 00:06:56.496 --> 00:06:59.276 align:middle but it's largely about the women since it's a co-ed sport. 00:06:59.606 --> 00:07:01.286 align:middle And, you know, and having quality women, 00:07:01.286 --> 00:07:04.496 align:middle like that first year we had Mehv and Thea, was amazing. 00:07:04.926 --> 00:07:09.676 align:middle But, we've really grown along with the sport and, like Carter said, 00:07:09.676 --> 00:07:12.126 align:middle we've got way more people than we can take. 00:07:12.366 --> 00:07:16.796 align:middle But I did kind of want to address, so what you said, because college pickleball -- 00:07:17.216 --> 00:07:21.056 align:middle club is the highest level of college pickleball, there's no varsity. 00:07:21.406 --> 00:07:23.686 align:middle There are some very small schools that have kind of picked 00:07:23.686 --> 00:07:26.806 align:middle up varsity programs that they play against us. 00:07:27.096 --> 00:07:31.176 align:middle So unlike other club sports, which maybe there's a varsity, quote, 00:07:31.176 --> 00:07:33.246 align:middle 'above' them in college, we don't have that. 00:07:33.246 --> 00:07:34.186 align:middle We're the highest level. 00:07:34.556 --> 00:07:41.086 align:middle And because we're not an NCAA sport, we have rules that allow really top pros to play. 00:07:41.376 --> 00:07:43.156 align:middle Mehv's a pro and she plays. 00:07:43.806 --> 00:07:48.466 align:middle Jack Monroe plays for Texas, I'd say a top 20 player in the country. 00:07:48.836 --> 00:07:53.056 align:middle And so it's a lot of fun to be able to compete with those folks. 00:07:53.346 --> 00:07:56.356 align:middle But as far as our name, we are the Indiana Hoosiers. 00:07:56.586 --> 00:08:00.636 align:middle Just like any other Indiana team, we're the Hoosiers. 00:08:01.526 --> 00:08:02.106 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: I love that. 00:08:02.296 --> 00:08:03.406 align:middle That's so exciting. 00:08:03.406 --> 00:08:09.296 align:middle And certainly, Mehv, I think it would be so, so cool how you're able to play 00:08:09.296 --> 00:08:12.706 align:middle at the professional level and also contribute, probably, 00:08:12.706 --> 00:08:16.056 align:middle so well to the Indiana Hoosiers team too. 00:08:16.356 --> 00:08:21.476 align:middle I'd love to hear your experience on the team and what practices look like. 00:08:21.476 --> 00:08:23.326 align:middle What's your day look like, as you -- 00:08:23.326 --> 00:08:27.076 align:middle or perhaps your week look like, as you prepare at this level? 00:08:28.056 --> 00:08:28.466 align:middle >> Mehvish Safdar: Yeah. 00:08:28.466 --> 00:08:32.226 align:middle So I was in Bloomington, Indiana for four years. 00:08:32.226 --> 00:08:38.626 align:middle And the years that Indiana pickleball existed, I was training with the team at that point. 00:08:38.626 --> 00:08:44.216 align:middle And that was actually the time that really got me into just routine practices. 00:08:44.216 --> 00:08:47.496 align:middle We had practices like two to three times a week. 00:08:47.496 --> 00:08:55.646 align:middle And a lot of times on those non-traditional practice days, I'd play with the guys and girls 00:08:55.646 --> 00:08:58.096 align:middle on the IU pickleball team as well. 00:08:58.096 --> 00:09:03.506 align:middle So IU Pickleball Club is really what got me started with those routine 00:09:03.506 --> 00:09:08.116 align:middle and regular practices, which I think is really important to play at a high level, 00:09:08.116 --> 00:09:12.626 align:middle just making sure you're staying consistent with getting practices in, 00:09:12.626 --> 00:09:15.326 align:middle as well as getting match play in. 00:09:15.326 --> 00:09:20.066 align:middle So that was another great thing that IU pickleball was great for, 00:09:20.066 --> 00:09:25.296 align:middle was we were getting constant tournament play and match play. 00:09:25.296 --> 00:09:32.496 align:middle You go to these college tournaments and, I mean, I got 23 matches in at college nationals. 00:09:32.496 --> 00:09:36.306 align:middle So there's nothing that beats that tournament experience. 00:09:36.306 --> 00:09:41.076 align:middle So I think that was a huge part of what helped me in the pro space 00:09:41.076 --> 00:09:43.186 align:middle as well was that tournament experience. 00:09:43.186 --> 00:09:50.386 align:middle And now in the pro space as well, it's the same, like getting your practice reps in and getting 00:09:50.756 --> 00:09:56.756 align:middle that tournament match experience in, that really helps you compete at the highest level. 00:09:56.756 --> 00:10:03.166 align:middle And then also just having the support system that's necessary to provide the resources 00:10:03.166 --> 00:10:09.336 align:middle and just create the structure that's needed to have those practices and be able 00:10:09.336 --> 00:10:12.366 align:middle to participate in those tournaments. 00:10:12.366 --> 00:10:20.586 align:middle And we've been fortunate with IU that we've had that internal Indiana University support 00:10:20.686 --> 00:10:27.526 align:middle and then also outside support, whether it's coaches like Timber or people like John Moorin 00:10:27.526 --> 00:10:36.016 align:middle who are alum, that have really helped create the resources and structure for us to excel. 00:10:36.016 --> 00:10:39.466 align:middle So I think that's also what makes IU unique. 00:10:40.656 --> 00:10:45.746 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: It is really inspiring how supportive the Indiana University community is, 00:10:45.746 --> 00:10:50.476 align:middle whether you're a student at IU or an alum who's really interested in making an impact. 00:10:50.476 --> 00:10:53.886 align:middle And John, as you were talking about your experience as a tennis player 00:10:53.886 --> 00:10:57.366 align:middle and then having a lot of success in the pickleball space as well, 00:10:57.366 --> 00:11:00.916 align:middle and now it sounds like coming back, supporting this group of students, 00:11:00.916 --> 00:11:08.876 align:middle I'd love any reflection you have on how you see our students really embracing pickleball 00:11:08.876 --> 00:11:13.046 align:middle at Indiana University very successfully for national championships, 00:11:13.516 --> 00:11:18.316 align:middle and some of the reflection you may have around their training and what it takes really to win 00:11:18.316 --> 00:11:21.046 align:middle at this level, consistently, year over year. 00:11:21.436 --> 00:11:23.576 align:middle >> John Moorin: Well, I think Mehv kind of hit it on the head. 00:11:23.576 --> 00:11:29.206 align:middle I mean, it really takes a lot of repetition and it also takes some coaching because, you know, 00:11:29.206 --> 00:11:33.076 align:middle the difference between good and great sometimes can be a small thing here or there. 00:11:33.666 --> 00:11:37.616 align:middle And, you know, hopefully what I'm trying to bring is the ability to kind of look 00:11:37.616 --> 00:11:41.356 align:middle at what's going on and break down a few things and, you know, 00:11:41.506 --> 00:11:43.476 align:middle bring some of that experience I have. 00:11:43.476 --> 00:11:50.076 align:middle I still play competitively at a senior professional level. 00:11:50.076 --> 00:11:54.436 align:middle So I'm around some of the best teachers in the country, because usually as you get older, 00:11:54.836 --> 00:11:59.546 align:middle you think you know everything, you know, and I'm no exception, even though I really don't. 00:11:59.876 --> 00:12:05.936 align:middle But it's fun to try to then give some of those experiences, you know, back to, you know, 00:12:05.936 --> 00:12:09.966 align:middle the younger generation, of some of the situations I've been in and, you know, 00:12:09.966 --> 00:12:15.326 align:middle kind of the mentality of what it takes to win and, you know, grind things out to, you know, 00:12:15.326 --> 00:12:18.316 align:middle to get up, to get on the side of getting a win. 00:12:18.316 --> 00:12:22.236 align:middle We've got a great group of people and, you know, Timber's really the glue to all that. 00:12:22.236 --> 00:12:28.996 align:middle I mean, he's been a fantastic organizer, cheerleader, admin person. 00:12:28.996 --> 00:12:34.586 align:middle And I think that the reason that I'm here, strictly, is to try to maybe help coach some 00:12:34.586 --> 00:12:40.066 align:middle of these players so that we can take them up a half level or a quarter level, 00:12:40.066 --> 00:12:43.626 align:middle so that when it comes down to crunch time, that maybe they've got some coaching that some 00:12:43.626 --> 00:12:47.186 align:middle of these other kids don't have, and hopefully it makes a difference on the court for IU. 00:12:47.506 --> 00:12:48.526 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: That's so inspiring. 00:12:48.846 --> 00:12:54.556 align:middle As you were talking about the competitiveness of the team, gosh, in all of these matches 00:12:54.556 --> 00:12:59.706 align:middle that you all play, the national titles that you all have, everyone loves a good rivalry, right? 00:12:59.936 --> 00:13:03.756 align:middle Can you all talk a little bit about the old oaken paddle? 00:13:04.256 --> 00:13:07.786 align:middle I have heard -- I know, Timber, I want you to get us started on this, 00:13:08.416 --> 00:13:13.586 align:middle because I'd love to know what that rivalry looks like and what the old oaken paddle is. 00:13:14.666 --> 00:13:18.106 align:middle >> Timber Tucker: So, we had the idea a couple of years ago, 00:13:18.456 --> 00:13:21.596 align:middle obviously taking after the old oaken bucket. 00:13:21.596 --> 00:13:27.096 align:middle I got a bourbon barrel donated and my uncle, shout out to Uncle Jim, 00:13:27.376 --> 00:13:30.826 align:middle Uncle Jim cut a a paddle out of the barrel. 00:13:31.226 --> 00:13:33.036 align:middle So it's an old oaken paddle. 00:13:33.436 --> 00:13:38.776 align:middle And for two years now, we've played Purdue in a dual meet and we are 2 and 0. 00:13:39.076 --> 00:13:44.686 align:middle But here's the -- what I really want to share about that is the uniqueness of pickleball 00:13:44.686 --> 00:13:46.446 align:middle in general and especially college pickleball. 00:13:46.766 --> 00:13:48.826 align:middle I mean, I grew up in southern Indiana. 00:13:48.996 --> 00:13:51.356 align:middle I was taught to hate Purdue like I was supposed to. 00:13:51.666 --> 00:13:53.796 align:middle You know, that's what you're taught when you're a Hoosier. 00:13:54.126 --> 00:14:00.216 align:middle But pickleball, it is so almost kumbaya at the college level. 00:14:00.216 --> 00:14:05.796 align:middle Now, there's some competition going on, and I mean some real, you know, some real rivalries, 00:14:06.166 --> 00:14:12.226 align:middle but I kind of helped Purdue get their team started, and no one is a bigger supporter 00:14:12.446 --> 00:14:14.926 align:middle of IU pickleball than the Purdue team. 00:14:15.266 --> 00:14:17.236 align:middle We're very, very close friends. 00:14:18.276 --> 00:14:21.306 align:middle Now, they're getting better, so it's getting a little more heated. 00:14:21.306 --> 00:14:23.986 align:middle They did beat us, not in the paddle, but they did beat us. 00:14:24.266 --> 00:14:27.166 align:middle Carter Maris was part of the only defeat Purdue's ever gotten 00:14:27.166 --> 00:14:29.596 align:middle on us, but we got revenge on them. 00:14:29.666 --> 00:14:35.506 align:middle But so in the national championship, Purdue got knocked out of the Sweet 16. 00:14:35.696 --> 00:14:39.756 align:middle Okay? We won our Sweet 16 match and went on to the Elite 8. 00:14:40.186 --> 00:14:43.406 align:middle So we're all sitting there in this incredibly competitive match. 00:14:43.626 --> 00:14:44.976 align:middle Mehv and Carter were both playing. 00:14:45.166 --> 00:14:49.276 align:middle And I looked behind me, and the entire Purdue team has come 00:14:49.276 --> 00:14:51.276 align:middle and sat behind us in our cheering section. 00:14:51.866 --> 00:14:56.346 align:middle And I looked around at the team captain, his name's Sebastian, and I kind of put my hand 00:14:56.346 --> 00:14:59.836 align:middle on my heart like, "Thank you" and he said, "Don't put this on social media" [laughs]. 00:15:00.766 --> 00:15:05.996 align:middle But at the national championships this year, a different championship, 00:15:06.416 --> 00:15:10.306 align:middle I was out with my team having supper and I get a text from the Purdue team 00:15:10.306 --> 00:15:11.156 align:middle and they're like, "What are you doing?" 00:15:11.156 --> 00:15:12.406 align:middle Like, "Well, I'm having supper. 00:15:12.406 --> 00:15:13.936 align:middle I'm just finishing up supper with my team." 00:15:14.106 --> 00:15:16.886 align:middle They said, "Well, when you're done, come over to our condo. 00:15:16.886 --> 00:15:19.456 align:middle We're playing poker and watching the basketball game." 00:15:19.916 --> 00:15:24.626 align:middle I'm thinking, I don't think a lot of Indiana coaches are getting invites 00:15:24.626 --> 00:15:26.426 align:middle from the Purdue team to come over and hang out. 00:15:26.806 --> 00:15:28.576 align:middle And that's just what I love. 00:15:28.576 --> 00:15:32.266 align:middle Like, all these, everybody else on this screen is five times the pickleball player I am, 00:15:32.746 --> 00:15:37.546 align:middle but I always say my favorite part of pickleball is waiting to play pickleball. 00:15:37.816 --> 00:15:38.696 align:middle Just hanging out. 00:15:38.696 --> 00:15:41.126 align:middle The community is unbelievable. 00:15:41.346 --> 00:15:43.336 align:middle And the same thing on our team. 00:15:43.336 --> 00:15:45.976 align:middle Just the community and getting to know other teams. 00:15:45.976 --> 00:15:48.976 align:middle I've got a million stories about other teams. 00:15:49.256 --> 00:15:51.356 align:middle It's just one of the -- it's one of the sweetest. 00:15:51.356 --> 00:15:54.086 align:middle We're in a world right now that doesn't have a lot of sweetness. 00:15:54.476 --> 00:15:58.416 align:middle And I feel like this is a sweet part of the world, that I hope we can protect. 00:15:59.036 --> 00:16:00.796 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: Oh, I love that reflection. 00:16:00.796 --> 00:16:01.706 align:middle And it is so true. 00:16:01.706 --> 00:16:04.706 align:middle I was looking through some of the things, you all do such a great job 00:16:04.706 --> 00:16:06.586 align:middle with your social media, and it really does. 00:16:06.856 --> 00:16:10.846 align:middle There's something really unique about being incredibly competitive, right, Mehv? 00:16:10.846 --> 00:16:12.676 align:middle I mean, you're playing at the professional level. 00:16:13.026 --> 00:16:15.926 align:middle Carter, I know it sounds like you've had a family affair with pickleball. 00:16:15.926 --> 00:16:20.146 align:middle We can be competitive and still be fiercely protective of the community, 00:16:20.146 --> 00:16:21.726 align:middle right, that we get to be a part of? 00:16:21.726 --> 00:16:26.626 align:middle And it looks like from some of the other really competitive teams that you all get to interface 00:16:26.626 --> 00:16:30.046 align:middle with that there's this shared respect and love of the game, 00:16:30.346 --> 00:16:32.276 align:middle which I think is really, really cool. 00:16:32.976 --> 00:16:37.656 align:middle And something that, to your point, Timber, is probably something to cherish right now. 00:16:37.806 --> 00:16:41.786 align:middle And so, I love what Indiana University is doing with the pickleball team. 00:16:42.056 --> 00:16:45.786 align:middle And it also is just really wonderful that we're doing really good. 00:16:45.786 --> 00:16:48.016 align:middle I mean, I think it's very fun to win, right? 00:16:48.016 --> 00:16:51.346 align:middle And so, Carter, as you're looking toward, let's see, 00:16:51.346 --> 00:16:53.626 align:middle coming into your sophomore year, right, or junior year -- 00:16:53.926 --> 00:16:54.446 align:middle >> Carter Maris: Sophomore, yeah. 00:16:54.446 --> 00:16:57.546 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: -- what are you most looking forward to, coming into this next season? 00:16:58.636 --> 00:17:03.606 align:middle >> Carter Maris: Well, I'm obviously super thankful for the coaching staff that we have. 00:17:03.826 --> 00:17:08.766 align:middle We're bringing on John Moorin this year, and he has a ton of experience and I know he's going 00:17:08.766 --> 00:17:14.596 align:middle to be a huge help to the team, and so I'm super excited about that. 00:17:14.806 --> 00:17:19.886 align:middle And I think we've obviously, like, throughout the past year, the group has grown a lot 00:17:20.136 --> 00:17:22.836 align:middle and we've all gotten a lot better and gotten a lot closer, 00:17:23.166 --> 00:17:27.426 align:middle and so I'm hoping we can make a couple of national championship runs this year. 00:17:27.996 --> 00:17:28.826 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: That's exciting. 00:17:29.296 --> 00:17:30.066 align:middle Mehv, how about you? 00:17:30.066 --> 00:17:30.906 align:middle What are you looking forward to? 00:17:31.466 --> 00:17:37.186 align:middle >> Mehvish Safdar: So, my time with IU pickleball is going to decrease, 00:17:37.186 --> 00:17:42.846 align:middle just being in the pro space now, but, you know, what I hope to continue 00:17:42.846 --> 00:17:48.216 align:middle to do is just really instill belief in the team, whether that's through messages or being able 00:17:48.216 --> 00:17:52.396 align:middle to show up or play at some of the events. 00:17:52.396 --> 00:17:58.626 align:middle We've got a crew that has a lot of skill and potential, and that was something while I was 00:17:58.626 --> 00:18:03.656 align:middle on the team I really wanted them to realize because, you know, they're still young 00:18:03.656 --> 00:18:07.806 align:middle and I think they don't necessarily know, like, the potential that they have. 00:18:07.806 --> 00:18:12.396 align:middle So that's something that I hope to continue to emphasize, 00:18:12.396 --> 00:18:16.176 align:middle is just how talented they are and how well that they can do. 00:18:16.176 --> 00:18:22.726 align:middle And so I think that's how I hope to contribute to the IU team mostly. 00:18:23.076 --> 00:18:24.606 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: Yeah, that's great. 00:18:24.606 --> 00:18:27.066 align:middle And you mentioned, I mean, the club's grown, right? 00:18:27.066 --> 00:18:30.406 align:middle You say the club has grown significantly over the past couple of years. 00:18:30.786 --> 00:18:34.216 align:middle I'd love to know, perhaps from John and Timber, what you see -- 00:18:34.216 --> 00:18:37.286 align:middle Timber, you started talking a little bit about the power of community, 00:18:37.286 --> 00:18:39.936 align:middle and I think that's what makes this group so special. 00:18:40.196 --> 00:18:43.276 align:middle But as people are listening and thinking, like if you're a student and you're listening and, 00:18:43.276 --> 00:18:47.726 align:middle like, maybe I want to join the pickleball team, or you're an alum and you want 00:18:47.726 --> 00:18:51.376 align:middle to go watch a match, can you talk a little bit about what makes the team 00:18:51.376 --> 00:18:53.976 align:middle so special and how it's growing so much? 00:18:55.086 --> 00:18:57.886 align:middle >> Timber Tucker: So, I'd like, I want to speak to that, and then I'd like John 00:18:57.886 --> 00:19:00.216 align:middle to speak a little bit to some of the competitive measures. 00:19:00.616 --> 00:19:04.126 align:middle So, the club itself, it's a rec club. 00:19:04.126 --> 00:19:05.486 align:middle We do stuff on campus. 00:19:05.486 --> 00:19:07.666 align:middle You know, it's not necessarily competitive. 00:19:07.996 --> 00:19:10.646 align:middle Sometimes we call it hangover pickleball. 00:19:10.646 --> 00:19:12.426 align:middle Just come out and have a good time. 00:19:12.696 --> 00:19:16.446 align:middle And there's 600 or 700 people in that group. 00:19:16.956 --> 00:19:23.096 align:middle This year, we're restructuring a little bit to where we're going to have 'the varsity team', 00:19:23.096 --> 00:19:27.716 align:middle we can't really call it that, but the high level competitive travel team is going 00:19:27.716 --> 00:19:28.626 align:middle to be a little smaller. 00:19:28.626 --> 00:19:30.726 align:middle We may be down around 16 or so. 00:19:31.446 --> 00:19:36.406 align:middle That really, Carter and some of the guys came to me last year and said, 00:19:36.656 --> 00:19:38.806 align:middle "We want a more varsity-like experience." 00:19:38.806 --> 00:19:42.146 align:middle And I was like, "Well, that means you can't be calling me on Sunday night saying, "I'm, 00:19:42.296 --> 00:19:45.646 align:middle you know, I can't come to practice tomorrow because I got a fraternity meeting or whatever." 00:19:45.916 --> 00:19:49.026 align:middle You know, you got to -- if it's going to be varsity, we got to treat it like varsity. 00:19:49.526 --> 00:19:51.906 align:middle So, that's really when we brought John in. 00:19:51.906 --> 00:19:55.086 align:middle And John was very much saying, "Listen, if we're going to do this, 00:19:55.276 --> 00:19:56.476 align:middle we got to take care of these kids." 00:19:56.906 --> 00:20:00.406 align:middle There's a lot of money in pickleball right now, and there's certainly a lot of people 00:20:00.716 --> 00:20:06.076 align:middle that are interested in getting to and through college kids promoting their brands, 00:20:06.076 --> 00:20:07.426 align:middle whether it's pickleball or not. 00:20:07.776 --> 00:20:09.486 align:middle And so John's been instrumental. 00:20:09.756 --> 00:20:14.426 align:middle You know, we've got a budget, a six-figure budget this year we're trying to raise, 00:20:14.426 --> 00:20:16.536 align:middle and maybe a little bit more next year because we'd 00:20:16.536 --> 00:20:19.086 align:middle like to start offering our version of some scholarships. 00:20:19.086 --> 00:20:20.726 align:middle That's kind of in the plans. 00:20:21.126 --> 00:20:26.826 align:middle But what really -- the best thing we did this year was bring John on. 00:20:26.826 --> 00:20:28.016 align:middle And it's not just John. 00:20:28.016 --> 00:20:32.596 align:middle We've got Carter's dad, Matt, helps coach. 00:20:32.596 --> 00:20:36.646 align:middle And Kirby and Courtney Shedd have been a huge part of this program and got us started, 00:20:36.646 --> 00:20:39.876 align:middle and they've moved a little further away so it's harder for them to be a part, 00:20:39.876 --> 00:20:41.196 align:middle but they're still part of the staff. 00:20:41.626 --> 00:20:45.286 align:middle But so, John, could you take over and talk a little bit about, you know, 00:20:45.286 --> 00:20:47.756 align:middle both on and off the court, what it's going to take us to be competitive? 00:20:49.186 --> 00:20:52.516 align:middle >> John Moorin: Yeah, I mean, you know, off the court, we're, you know, 00:20:52.626 --> 00:20:56.846 align:middle I'm working hard with Timber and the rest of the team to try to, you know, raise enough money 00:20:57.076 --> 00:21:00.806 align:middle so that, you know, if we're going to travel to these events, the kids don't have to worry 00:21:00.806 --> 00:21:05.916 align:middle about hotel and airfare and, you know, just like the experience I had 00:21:05.916 --> 00:21:07.556 align:middle when I played college sports, right? 00:21:07.556 --> 00:21:11.456 align:middle I mean, I didn't have to -- I wasn't paying entry fees to go play, you know, 00:21:11.576 --> 00:21:13.766 align:middle Northwestern in the Big 10, right? 00:21:13.766 --> 00:21:16.846 align:middle So the alumni have been pretty generous so far. 00:21:16.846 --> 00:21:18.056 align:middle We got some fundraisers. 00:21:18.056 --> 00:21:19.416 align:middle We're off to a pretty good start. 00:21:19.416 --> 00:21:22.966 align:middle We've got some manufacturers that have given us sponsorships. 00:21:22.966 --> 00:21:27.786 align:middle So I think there's more money in the program probably this year than last year, 00:21:28.166 --> 00:21:32.636 align:middle and we hope to maybe make sure that, you know, the kids don't have to call their parents 00:21:32.636 --> 00:21:35.856 align:middle and say, "Hey, you know, we need to go do this and I, 00:21:35.856 --> 00:21:37.356 align:middle you know, you need to come out of pocket." 00:21:37.356 --> 00:21:38.536 align:middle So that's kind of the goal. 00:21:38.876 --> 00:21:41.566 align:middle So we've got some fundraising things that we're going to do. 00:21:41.566 --> 00:21:43.666 align:middle We've got some gear that we're having made up. 00:21:43.666 --> 00:21:50.086 align:middle We think there's a big IU alumni association that'll help support us with some of that stuff. 00:21:50.086 --> 00:21:52.466 align:middle We've gotten some donations. 00:21:52.466 --> 00:21:55.866 align:middle I'm sitting at Pickle on Penn right now and I have to shout them out. 00:21:56.066 --> 00:21:59.456 align:middle They're giving, talking about competitiveness. 00:21:59.786 --> 00:22:05.736 align:middle So, we're working pretty hard this summer to try to bring the levels up with some of the people, 00:22:06.506 --> 00:22:11.736 align:middle because as Timber said earlier, it's really the women are going to be super instrumental in this 00:22:11.736 --> 00:22:14.336 align:middle for us and losing Mehv is a huge blow. 00:22:14.336 --> 00:22:16.136 align:middle We're hoping we can get her for one or two events. 00:22:16.576 --> 00:22:19.756 align:middle But we have some younger people that we think we might be able to develop. 00:22:19.756 --> 00:22:21.546 align:middle I don't know if we can get them to that level. 00:22:21.616 --> 00:22:25.516 align:middle Mehv is the first college pickleball player to ever sign a professional contract. 00:22:25.786 --> 00:22:30.436 align:middle So that was a big win for her and a big feather in the cap for IU. 00:22:30.436 --> 00:22:35.146 align:middle But, so we're out here a couple of days a week, but really what I think it takes 00:22:35.146 --> 00:22:39.696 align:middle to win is it's got to take focus, passion, and repetitiveness, right? 00:22:39.696 --> 00:22:41.106 align:middle And the ability to listen. 00:22:41.106 --> 00:22:44.436 align:middle I mean, I remember when I was, you know, being coached, 00:22:44.436 --> 00:22:49.186 align:middle I always didn't like what I was hearing, but ultimately, you have to trust the process that, 00:22:49.276 --> 00:22:53.766 align:middle you know, the people that are watching have enough experience and they're seeing things 00:22:53.766 --> 00:22:59.216 align:middle that you need to maybe key on and stuff that, you know, to take them to a different level. 00:22:59.216 --> 00:23:01.616 align:middle So, the kids have been great so far. 00:23:01.616 --> 00:23:03.606 align:middle I think they've all been pretty enthusiastic. 00:23:03.606 --> 00:23:08.426 align:middle We've had some great team practices and we continue to do that a couple times a week. 00:23:08.646 --> 00:23:09.506 align:middle They're growing. 00:23:09.506 --> 00:23:10.456 align:middle Practices are growing. 00:23:10.456 --> 00:23:13.286 align:middle I think the intensity is growing, the play is getting better. 00:23:13.286 --> 00:23:14.606 align:middle You can see the improvement coming. 00:23:14.606 --> 00:23:18.726 align:middle So, you know, I think we've got a pretty good chance of making some runs this year. 00:23:20.426 --> 00:23:23.816 align:middle >> Timber Tucker: So, we have -- John mentioned Pickle on Penn, 00:23:23.816 --> 00:23:26.636 align:middle which has been amazing this summer, what they've done for us. 00:23:27.116 --> 00:23:31.256 align:middle We have a couple other supporters, our very first and biggest, 00:23:31.616 --> 00:23:34.676 align:middle Six Zero paddles, it's pickleball company. 00:23:34.676 --> 00:23:36.946 align:middle They signed us to a big contract last year. 00:23:36.946 --> 00:23:39.696 align:middle They've been great, they're a blast to work with. 00:23:39.696 --> 00:23:42.476 align:middle And one of the cool things they did, they gave us a code. 00:23:42.476 --> 00:23:44.266 align:middle They're one of the top paddle companies. 00:23:44.266 --> 00:23:48.636 align:middle If you go to their website and you buy something and you type in the code Hoosiers, 00:23:49.136 --> 00:23:52.776 align:middle you get 10% off, and then 10% of the sale comes to the club. 00:23:52.776 --> 00:23:55.506 align:middle And that's been worth about $300 or $400 a month for us. 00:23:55.506 --> 00:24:00.206 align:middle That's a big deal for us, and we appreciate everybody that's been a part of that. 00:24:00.576 --> 00:24:03.746 align:middle And, yeah, it's just we need more of that. 00:24:03.746 --> 00:24:05.876 align:middle And we've got a couple other ones out there as well. 00:24:06.066 --> 00:24:09.506 align:middle I told the kids this year, my goal is for their uniforms, they're going to look 00:24:09.506 --> 00:24:11.906 align:middle like NASCAR drivers by the time we get done with them. 00:24:12.286 --> 00:24:12.466 align:middle >> John Moorin: Yeah. 00:24:12.466 --> 00:24:15.916 align:middle One of the medical manufacturers I deal with gave us $10,000. 00:24:15.916 --> 00:24:18.316 align:middle They're a regenerative medicine company. 00:24:18.706 --> 00:24:22.366 align:middle we've got a local pergola company that the Bertolinis own. 00:24:22.416 --> 00:24:23.646 align:middle They stepped up nicely. 00:24:23.646 --> 00:24:29.286 align:middle A couple of the IU, my former IU tennis teammates have written checks for us. 00:24:29.286 --> 00:24:33.476 align:middle So, it's been great and I think there's more in the works, 00:24:33.796 --> 00:24:37.616 align:middle and so we're super excited with the sport. 00:24:37.616 --> 00:24:41.506 align:middle I think bringing some of these practices into Indianapolis, the Carmel area, 00:24:41.506 --> 00:24:43.756 align:middle has been really helpful because it's given us some exposure. 00:24:43.756 --> 00:24:48.176 align:middle Because I think sometimes there's a disconnect between Bloomington and Indianapolis 00:24:48.176 --> 00:24:49.746 align:middle and Carmel and some of these other cities. 00:24:50.016 --> 00:24:54.716 align:middle I noticed that when I graduated from IU, like they didn't know anything that was going 00:24:54.716 --> 00:24:57.306 align:middle on about IU tennis and, you know, didn't really seem to care. 00:24:57.306 --> 00:24:59.976 align:middle So, we're going to try to make them care a little bit about IU pickleball. 00:25:00.666 --> 00:25:03.836 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: Well, in a time right now where pickleball is just booming, right? 00:25:03.836 --> 00:25:04.906 align:middle I mean, it's everywhere. 00:25:04.906 --> 00:25:07.576 align:middle My husband and I, we're going to join a pickleball league. 00:25:07.576 --> 00:25:09.766 align:middle There's pickleball leagues all over the place, right? 00:25:09.766 --> 00:25:11.896 align:middle I mean, pickleball is having a moment. 00:25:11.896 --> 00:25:18.406 align:middle And I think for Indiana University and for our team here, the support, John, 00:25:18.406 --> 00:25:22.586 align:middle that you and Timber are talking about with folks, alumni, businesses, 00:25:22.586 --> 00:25:25.266 align:middle other investors coming in and saying, "Gosh, we want to be a part of this 00:25:25.316 --> 00:25:31.726 align:middle because of the dedication and the passion and the resilience and persistence of our students", 00:25:31.726 --> 00:25:34.136 align:middle I think, is what is most inspiring, right? 00:25:34.516 --> 00:25:38.736 align:middle Because Carter, I know you and Mehv, you all are here for to learn and to grow. 00:25:38.736 --> 00:25:40.466 align:middle You're students of Indiana University. 00:25:40.706 --> 00:25:44.346 align:middle You're giving a lot of your time to this incredible sport, 00:25:44.346 --> 00:25:49.126 align:middle and I think that is something really inspiring and it does inspire other people to say, 00:25:49.246 --> 00:25:51.466 align:middle "I want to get involved in this thing that's happening." 00:25:51.466 --> 00:25:55.096 align:middle So, as we are wrapping up, I'd love to hear any reflection 00:25:55.746 --> 00:26:00.586 align:middle on where you hope the Indiana University pickleball team is headed next. 00:26:00.856 --> 00:26:05.856 align:middle You know, we've got -- Mehv, I love the fact that you are one of the first, you said first, 00:26:05.996 --> 00:26:08.156 align:middle collegiate pickleball players to go professional. 00:26:08.406 --> 00:26:09.686 align:middle That is incredible. 00:26:09.976 --> 00:26:14.016 align:middle And I think something to be said about probably the testament of the dedication you've had 00:26:14.016 --> 00:26:19.816 align:middle to this sport and inspiring other people, the other 300 or 400 people who have signed 00:26:19.816 --> 00:26:23.406 align:middle up to play pickleball at IU, to be inspired to do something similar. 00:26:23.406 --> 00:26:27.796 align:middle And Carter, I know you said you've shared a lot of this experience with your older brother. 00:26:28.096 --> 00:26:31.366 align:middle I'd love to hear your reflection, before we wrap, 00:26:32.076 --> 00:26:36.406 align:middle on where you hope Indiana University's pickleball team's headed in the future. 00:26:37.316 --> 00:26:39.586 align:middle >> Carter Maris: Yeah, I can start on this one. 00:26:39.586 --> 00:26:49.066 align:middle I obviously have loved my experience at IU and loved being on the pickleball team. 00:26:49.346 --> 00:26:55.436 align:middle I feel like there's people that I meet through pickleball that I've had connections 00:26:55.436 --> 00:26:58.966 align:middle with that have taken me places that I can't even imagine. 00:26:58.966 --> 00:27:02.456 align:middle I've built so many great relationships through pickleball. 00:27:02.966 --> 00:27:06.726 align:middle Being able to play with my brother, obviously, is always a good time. 00:27:06.726 --> 00:27:09.946 align:middle I wish I would have had the chance to play with him one year 00:27:10.186 --> 00:27:14.056 align:middle at IU, but he graduated as I came in. 00:27:14.126 --> 00:27:20.286 align:middle So we share fun times playing in tournaments together outside of the collegiate space. 00:27:20.756 --> 00:27:25.466 align:middle But, for IU pickleball, I mean, obviously, it continues to grow. 00:27:25.466 --> 00:27:32.536 align:middle I have people who come up to me like on a weekly basis that ask me about IU pickleball and ask me 00:27:32.536 --> 00:27:34.686 align:middle about the club and how they can get involved. 00:27:35.056 --> 00:27:40.716 align:middle So I always try to, you know, push the club as much as I can and tell them to come out 00:27:40.716 --> 00:27:43.666 align:middle and try out, because whether it's on the rec side 00:27:43.666 --> 00:27:46.196 align:middle or on the competitive side, there's a space for everyone. 00:27:46.496 --> 00:27:50.796 align:middle So, I just hope we can continue to grow and continue 00:27:50.796 --> 00:27:53.356 align:middle to build the amazing community that we already have. 00:27:54.626 --> 00:27:57.036 align:middle >> Mehvish Safdar: Yeah, I think Carter spoke to that very nicely, 00:27:57.036 --> 00:27:59.386 align:middle especially what he was saying there at the end. 00:27:59.386 --> 00:28:04.976 align:middle Like, I hope IU pickleball continues to just be a space for everyone, which is what it has been. 00:28:05.126 --> 00:28:10.896 align:middle Whether you just want to play socially and meet people, you're a freshman and, you know, 00:28:10.896 --> 00:28:15.066 align:middle just want to connect, or whether you have dreams of going pro, 00:28:15.066 --> 00:28:19.806 align:middle it's proven to be a pathway to play pro as well. 00:28:19.806 --> 00:28:25.536 align:middle So, I think just IU being that vehicle for a good time, well, 00:28:25.536 --> 00:28:28.416 align:middle hopefully a good time either way, whether you're just playing socially 00:28:28.416 --> 00:28:30.666 align:middle or with goals of playing professionally. 00:28:30.666 --> 00:28:38.696 align:middle But yeah, that it continues just to be a space for everyone and there are the resources 00:28:38.696 --> 00:28:45.776 align:middle and structure to pave the way for whatever you want it to be, which we've been fortunate that, 00:28:45.956 --> 00:28:51.786 align:middle again, we've had the support systems and the people that are dedicated to doing that. 00:28:51.866 --> 00:28:53.486 align:middle >> Timber Tucker: For me, I mean, I love winning. 00:28:53.746 --> 00:28:59.576 align:middle I love going out and, you know, being a part of something that's so good. 00:28:59.926 --> 00:29:02.246 align:middle But for me, it's really the students. 00:29:02.556 --> 00:29:07.666 align:middle And, Mehv, I've said this to Mehv at least 10 times, she would be one of my favorite people 00:29:07.666 --> 00:29:10.266 align:middle on the planet if she had never picked up a pickleball paddle. 00:29:10.456 --> 00:29:10.726 align:middle >> John Moorin: Amen. 00:29:10.726 --> 00:29:13.266 align:middle >> Timber Tucker: And I'm really glad she did, but. 00:29:13.566 --> 00:29:16.276 align:middle And then last week it was so funny. 00:29:16.596 --> 00:29:21.026 align:middle Carter called me and he was in the car with his brothers and we talked for like an hour. 00:29:21.546 --> 00:29:25.936 align:middle And I got off the phone and my wife Christine said, "Who are you talking to?" 00:29:26.166 --> 00:29:27.686 align:middle And I said, "The Maris boys." 00:29:27.686 --> 00:29:29.456 align:middle And she said, "What did they want?" 00:29:29.566 --> 00:29:30.836 align:middle I was like, "We were just chatting. 00:29:30.836 --> 00:29:31.716 align:middle We were just talking." 00:29:31.786 --> 00:29:34.586 align:middle And she goes, "You need more age appropriate friends." 00:29:34.716 --> 00:29:36.706 align:middle And I was like, "No, I really don't. 00:29:36.706 --> 00:29:38.046 align:middle I love hanging out with these people. 00:29:38.046 --> 00:29:38.896 align:middle They're a blast." 00:29:39.266 --> 00:29:44.246 align:middle And so, and I'm so excited this year that John Moorin has joined the team, 00:29:44.246 --> 00:29:46.186 align:middle because now I'm not the oldest person in the program. 00:29:46.656 --> 00:29:48.426 align:middle So, he beats me by a year. 00:29:48.886 --> 00:29:51.736 align:middle So, but it's been the time of my life. 00:29:52.576 --> 00:29:52.786 align:middle >> John Moorin: Yeah. 00:29:52.906 --> 00:29:57.356 align:middle And then for me, you know, again, I, you know, winning's important. 00:29:57.356 --> 00:30:00.166 align:middle It's not everything, but I hope we have some nice victories. 00:30:00.166 --> 00:30:01.606 align:middle I hope we beat Purdue. 00:30:01.896 --> 00:30:06.606 align:middle I hope we continue to grow the program. 00:30:06.606 --> 00:30:08.276 align:middle I think we've got a good chance at that. 00:30:08.276 --> 00:30:12.116 align:middle I think one thing we haven't mentioned on this is, you know, Carter Maris is -- 00:30:12.116 --> 00:30:14.986 align:middle we had two all-Americans last year at IU. 00:30:14.986 --> 00:30:18.206 align:middle Mehv was one, but Carter Maris is also first team. 00:30:18.616 --> 00:30:22.376 align:middle Carter is also an all-American and he comes from an unbelievable family. 00:30:22.376 --> 00:30:28.246 align:middle He's an unbelievable leader and I look for, you know, continued great things from him. 00:30:28.246 --> 00:30:33.766 align:middle It's super fun as, you know, as I am older than dirt at this point, it's fun to kind of work 00:30:33.766 --> 00:30:38.346 align:middle with young people with great energy that are great and to, you know, have fun with them. 00:30:38.746 --> 00:30:44.256 align:middle So I guess my reflection is, yeah, I want to, you know, continue to try to grow the program. 00:30:44.256 --> 00:30:47.166 align:middle You know, we're in talks with some shoe manufacturers. 00:30:47.166 --> 00:30:48.876 align:middle We're in talks with some gear people. 00:30:49.226 --> 00:30:54.486 align:middle So to try to bring more, you know, money to the program, more notoriety to the program. 00:30:54.606 --> 00:30:59.026 align:middle You know, get some good wins, hang some more banners, and just kind of enjoy the ride along 00:30:59.026 --> 00:31:01.176 align:middle with what Timber's really built and started. 00:31:01.966 --> 00:31:06.066 align:middle >> Nattie Meador: Well, this conversation surely has inspired me, and I can't wait to come out 00:31:06.066 --> 00:31:08.866 align:middle and watch some of the pickleball matches as well. 00:31:09.116 --> 00:31:12.196 align:middle So, I really appreciate each of you taking time to share a little bit 00:31:12.196 --> 00:31:15.356 align:middle about your experience and perspective on the team. 00:31:15.856 --> 00:31:20.996 align:middle We certainly have loved listening and hearing more about the pickleball team. 00:31:21.056 --> 00:31:26.166 align:middle So, until next time, if you are a longtime player or you're just getting started, 00:31:26.166 --> 00:31:28.366 align:middle we hope this conversation inspired you today. 00:31:28.706 --> 00:31:34.536 align:middle The dedication, focus, passion, competitiveness of our collegiate pickleball team is inspiring. 00:31:34.536 --> 00:31:38.906 align:middle It is a reminder of the power of the Indiana University community. 00:31:39.236 --> 00:31:43.446 align:middle And like Timber said, the best thing about pickleball is waiting to play pickleball. 00:31:43.446 --> 00:31:44.846 align:middle So go play pickleball. 00:31:45.536 --> 00:31:48.596 align:middle We Are IU, and we can't wait to chat with you again soon. 00:31:48.956 --> 00:31:52.436 align:middle >> Speaker 1: Thanks for joining us for another episode of We Are IU, 00:31:53.756 --> 00:31:58.816 align:middle your home for fascinating conversations with thought leaders, legends and visionaries 00:31:58.816 --> 00:32:01.096 align:middle from the university we know and love. 00:32:02.846 --> 00:32:06.326 align:middle New episodes available monthly at myiu.org.