Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Waddell.
Hi Cindy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
San Antonio Pickleball Association formed its NonProfit in 2021 with a small group of 10 pickleball players deciding to go further than just playing pickleball.
The San Antonio Pickleball Association (SAPA) is a Non-Profit organization, that is dedicated to promoting the growth of the sport of Pickleball in San Antonio, Texas and the surrounding areas through the conduct of education, training, social events and other amateur sports competitions.
Our Mission:
To assist local high school seniors through the awareness of scholarships to pursue post-secondary education and to introduce the local youth to the developmental benefits of participating in amateur sports.
To provide instruction in the sport of pickleball to persons of all ages and/or individuals with disabilities
To provide opportunities for participants to engage in recreational as well as competitive Pickleball
To sponsor, host and/or participate events and activities that promote the sport of Pickleball.
What SAPA Offers
• Beginner Clinics: SAPA hosts free “Fitness in the Park” sessions for beginners. These are held on Wednesday mornings and alternating Tuesday evenings at Fairchild Park.
SAPA members continue to give back by volunteering their time for committees such as Danna Halff, Scholarship Chair and Diana Reyes, Membership Chair. Both have been chairs since day one of our NonProfit beginning.
• Tournaments: The annual CommuniCare Classic Pickleball Tournament, held at Fairchild Park, is a major event, where we partner with Valero Alamo Bowl for this tournament. In 2024, the tournament attracted over 400 players and raised funds for local scholarships.
• Scholarships: SAPA awards scholarships to Bexar County high school seniors pursuing higher education. In 2025, SAPA awarded $31,000 in scholarships.
Membership Benefits: Members receive quarterly newsletter, discounts on Gamma paddles, tournament fees and clinics. Memberships directly benefit SAPA’s mission to support Scholarships locally. Annual memberships are $30.
Please visit our website for more information.
https://www.sanantoniopickleball.org
Our 2025 CommuniCare Classic Pickleball Tournament will be held on September 26-28 at Fairchild Park. Registrations are now open and a few Sponsorships are still available.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The only challenges were convincing the City and Parks & Recreation that pickleball was a growing sport throughout the US and San Antonio needed more courts. Parks & Recreation, with the financial assistance from District 2 for 6 courts, has provided 18 dedicated pickleball courts at Fairchild Park. Homer Garcia, Director of San Antonio Parks and Recreation has been committed to growing the sport and providing many other pickleball facilities throughout the city.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I retired in 2010 from 30 years in education as a Physical Education teacher, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal in Virginia. After retirement, I started playing pickleball in Virginia but moved to San Antonio and found no places to play near the Downtown area.
After we convinced Parks and Recreation to line 8 pickleball courts on 2 tennis courts at Fairchild Park, a small group came to play. This small group of players came together to form San Antonio Pickleball Association’s NonProfit. Mark Fischer and I have been Board members since inception. I am thrilled to be able to work with an amazing Board of Directors for SAPA and enjoy being the Co-Director (with Janelle Clark) of our annual fundraising event, the CommuniCare Classic Pickleball tournament, partnering with Rick Hill of Valero Alamo Bowl. All tournament net proceeds benefits local scholarships.
SAPA 2025 Board of Director’s include:
Cindy Waddell, President
Louie De La Cruz, Vice President
Mark Fischer, Treasurer
Dee Smith, Secretary
Cindy Jupe, At Large
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
A Passion for whatever you do!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sanantoniopickleball.org/home
- Instagram: sa.pickleball
- Other: https://www.alamobowl.com/event/communicare-classic-pickleball-tournament/
