USA Pickleball, the governing body for pickleball in the United States, has announced two key appointments within its leadership team. 

Tom Tadler, a seasoned referee and Chairman of the Referee Advisory Council, has been named as the new Managing Director of Officiating, while Craig Haas has also been appointed to the position of Director of Tournament Operations, with his tenure commencing on February 1st. Tadler will assume his new role on February 15th.

The Authority On All USA Pickleball Matters 

In his capacity as Managing Director of Officiating, Tadler will serve as the authority on all matters related to rules and referees for USA Pickleball. His responsibilities include overseeing referee training, providing guidance to the National Officiating Committee and international officials affiliated with the Global Pickleball Federation (GPF), managing the Certified Referee Evaluator Program, supervising officiating at various USA Pickleball events, including the Golden Ticket series and National Championships, among other duties.

Steve Wong, Vice President of Competition at USA Pickleball, talked about Tadler’s extensive experience and good standing within the referee community:

“I am very excited to have Tom Tadler join USA Pickleball as the Managing Director of Officiating. Tom has been a Certified Referee for several years and is well-respected by his peers. I believe he will play an integral part in growing the officiating program and taking it to the next level.”

Actively Involved

Tadler’s pickleball journey began in 2017, and he joined the USA Pickleball referee program in 2018, attaining Certified Referee status in 2019. He has since been actively involved as Chairman of the Referee Advisory Council and has officiated over 1,500 matches. Tadler’s dedication is evident through his ongoing engagement with referee development initiatives.

As a well-known and well-respected USAP official, Tadler has officiated several USA Pickleball Golden Ticket, Minto US Open, APP, and PPA matches and is featured as the lead official on many televised and live-streamed broadcasts.

Committed And Responsive To Referees

Speaking on his appointment, Tadler said, “I am excited to be working with over 800 professional officials who are dedicated to the sport of pickleball.

“USA Pickleball is the credentialling resource for officials and we need to not only grow in numbers but also in training and the consistency on court. My staff and I will be committed and responsive to referees to continue to advance this program.”

In his new role as Director of Tournament Operations, Haas will use his experience in tournament organization and management to ensure USA Pickleball members continue to have great tournament experiences.

About USA Pickleball

USA Pickleball, as the National Governing Body for the sport in the United States, is committed to promoting its development and growth. The body sanctions events, provides educational opportunities, oversees player rankings, and offers other strategic benefits that advance the sport’s reach and impact. 

USA Pickleball is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation and is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by national office staff.