Our coaching team.
William East
Director of Pickleball
My name is Will East, and I am the director of pickleball at PPCC.
I am a certified pickleball professional with PTR. Throughout the year, I play at several events on the professional pickleball tour (PPA)
I am rated above at 5.6 on DUPR for singles and doubles.
I am also known as “The Prince of Pickleball” on social media, with over 43,000 followers on Instagram. Here, I offer instructional content in the form of tips and tricks.
I also played NCAA Division One tennis in North Carolina at North Carolina Central University.
Dria Rushing
Certified Pickleball Coach
From starting her pickleball journey in 2022, playing her first 4.0 tournament, and winning silver in Michigan, Dria has let the picklebug guide her competitive playing career. This has led her to travel & compete at higher-level tournaments, including Wisconsin Invitationals, an all-men +5.0 tournament, and Minor League Pickleball National Championships as an aspiring pro, striving to be one of the top (female) players in Wisconsin and beyond.
She is a natural athlete with a basketball, softball, and tennis background. Her favorite game is singles, and her favorite shot is a mean 2-handed backhand. She is a teaching artist, musician, DJ, and goofball looking to spread the joys of dripping sweat and how to dance in this fancy game.
James Hass
Certified Pickleball Coach
My name is James, and I live on the South Side of Milwaukee with my wife, daughter and dog, Bolt. I spent 26 years as an elementary school teacher before retiring three years ago. Over the past six years, I have developed a passion for pickleball, both as a player and as a coach.
I hold a Professional Pickleball Coaching License, with the American Council on Exercise and Personal Training (ACE). I also work part time as fitness instructor, where I specialise in designing conditional programs for pickleball athletes of all levels.
As a coach, I pride myself on my extensive teaching experience, patience, and ability to make training enjoyable. My greatest joy comes from helping others learn and grow in their game, celebrating their successes, and building lasting friendships along the way.
I look foward to seeing you on the courts soon!
Kelly Whallen
Certified Pickleball Coach
Kelly Whalen grew up playing sports. In college, her favorite classes were tennis and badminton. This led to her pursuing a degree in Physical Education, and she graduated from UW Madison in ‘85. Kelly’s first job was at a fitness club, where she discovered the game of racquetball. She competed for many years at the state and national levels, winning multiple championships, and was inducted into the Wisconsin Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Kelly was also involved in tennis as a player/coach. She participated in 4.5 State League teams in Minnesota and Wisconsin and served 8 years as the Head Women’s Tennis Coach at UWM.
Kelly transitioned into pickleball in 2014 and has never looked back. She’s been involved as a player, instructor, and ambassador ever since! She is a level 2 certified instructor through Pickleball Coaching International (PCI) and has a rating certification. For the last few years, she has taught with several local Park & Rec programs and at Elite Clubs, the Wisconsin Club, and Center Court.