John Gullo, 'The Father Of Professional Pickleball' is well known as a pickleball ambassador for Northern Utah in the city of Ogden in USA and for his role in establishing The Tournament of Champions as the first and highest paying tournament for the professionals. He is inducted into the Pickleball Hall Of Fame, Class of 2024 for his contribution to the sport.
With Gullo’s leadership, the Brigham City pickleball courts, initially named the Gullo Pickleball Grotto in 2009, were expanded threefold. This development included the addition of a championship court and seating, reflecting the increasing scale and appeal of the Tournament of Champions.
A report from October 2023 by the Apple Heart & Movement Study highlighted that Utah had the highest per capita engagement in pickleball among participants throughout the country. Additionally, Google Trends data shows that Utah leads the country in online searches for pickleball. It has all been possible due to Gullo. Northern Utah now boasts more than 360 pickleball facilities across 10 Utah cities.
Despite his extensive contributions to the sport over the years, Gullo attributes his life-changing experience to discovering pickleball when he was in his mid-60s.
“I almost died in ’08. I had five bypasses, I weighed 310 pounds and I was doing the rehab thing with treadmills and all that boring stuff. Then I saw this sign: ‘Pickleball'", he told in an interaction with the Standard-Examiner.
He established the American Dream Foundation and contributed more than $25,000 in scholarships for junior competitions at the Tournament of Champions to promote youth involvement.
Gullo provided financial support for paddles and nets to junior high and high schools in Ogden, as well as to the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and Youth Impact. He also founded the Professional Pickleball Federation, which united over 300 professional players and launched its inaugural professional tour.
He is also recognized as the first person to provide compensation and accommodation for referees and the first to broadcast the matches live. Gullo is set to receive official induction at a ceremony in Mesa, Arizona on November 14.