Al McGarity – With a lifelong passion for racquet sports, Al has spent decades shaping the worlds of tennis and pickleball. After playing collegiate tennis at Xavier University, he built a successful coaching career, leading high school and collegiate teams to state and national championships. As demand for tennis grew, Al leveraged his expertise to develop tennis and racquetball facilities while also working in corporate business development for major firms like Prudential and Morgan Stanley. In 2009, he shifted his focus to coaching his four children, two of whom went on to play Division 1 tennis.
After retiring to The Villages, FL, Al discovered pickleball following a rotator cuff injury—and quickly became a dedicated player and coach. Recognizing the need for structured instruction for senior players, he helped design an instructional program that now trains 17,000 players annually. Al also played a key role in developing safety and injury-prevention lesson plans, significantly reducing injuries across the pickleball community. Today, he continues to coach, mentor, and advocate for player safety, fitness, and longevity in the sport he loves.