Pickleball player still going strong at 93
Svelt and agile, the silver-haired pickleball player known as J.R. is a rock star in SFCC’s pickleball community. J.R., who is Robert Maillard, has the admiration of the tight- knit community of pickleball players who are regulars at the William C. Witter Fitness Education Center. So, it’s no surprise that the devoted group threw a birthday party and potluck off campus for SFCC’s oldest student when he turned 93 this fall.
J.R. started playing pickleball at the college about 10 years ago. He had seen a report on an evening newscast about how it was gaining popularity among older adults. “I said, ‘that’s my sport,’ I just knew it,” J.R. says. He had been swimming at the college, but thought he needed something “less boring.”
“I talked with the teacher Gordon Hall and I just signed up right away,” J.R. says. What he’s found in addition to fun exercise is wonderful camaraderie of pickleball players. He also plays with pickleball instructor Vladmer King, who refers to J.R. as a force to be reckoned with on the court.
Asked if he’s slowed down now that he’s in his 90s, J.R. quickly responds, “Now instead of going six times a week to play, I’ve cut back to three times a week and just play during the daytime.” He adds, “I love playing pickleball. One minute you can be really serious and the next minute we’re all laughing.” He’s quick to sing the praises of “the fastest growing sport in America, which has taken off like wildfire.” Asked to share a tip for players, he responds, “drink a lot of water.”
“I love playing pickleball. One minute you can be really serious and the next minute we’re all laughing.”
He drives on his own to the college and pulls a small rolling suitcase that seems only natural for someone who said he worked a lot of different jobs for the airlines and in his earlier years flew all over the world. Today he likes to fill his suitcase with his pickleball paddles and gear.
He’s made fast friends with players of all ages. Loretta Stofocik, 74, who is head of the SFCC Pickleball Club, says that J.R. inspires them all to keep active and work to grow the sport. Among his multitude of pickleball players and fans are Tom Yuster, 73, and Gayle Torrez, 58, who retired from SFCC. They are quick to introduce the youngest pickleball player in the group, Sarina Sandoval, 19, who is pursuing an associate degree in Allied Health, with hopes of getting into SFCC’s nursing program. They all use expressions such as “he moves really fast and has great reactions” while in the game.
SFCC will offer multiple daytime sessions of pickleball on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday in the spring semester. But those in the know register as soon as possible, since those classes fill fast. Register now at sfcc.edu.
