From Coaching to Creating: How Pickleball Became the Next Chapter of a Life Well Lived—Michael Glenn’s Story

How a Former Basketball Coach and Licensed Pilot Found His Next Great Game

For Michael Glenn, pickleball began with a casual invite from a coworker and has quickly turned into something much more: a source of connection, competition, and creative inspiration.

With roots on the Windward side of Oahu, a background in basketball coaching, and a life full of passion projects—from content creation to custom sportswear—he’s embraced pickleball as both a physical outlet and a new playground for growth. Whether he's chasing medals on the court, designing gear off it, or cheering on his grown kids, he's all in—and always looking for the next challenge.

Read on to discover how pickleball became the next chapter in Michael’s story—one already rich with flight, family, and creativity.

Currently residing in:

Manoa.

Where did you grow up and what high school did you go to?

I grew up on the windward side of Oahu and moved to the mainland in the 8th grade to Oklahoma. I went to Tecumseh High in Tecumseh Oklahoma. Moved back to Hawaii in 1992.

How did you discover pickleball and when did you start playing?

I have seen pickleball played at Waialae District Park as far back as 2017 when I was coaching and we had games at the gym there.

But I never took an interest in it until a coworker invited me to play with her and her husband…I was awful and subsequently took lessons for two months to get confidence and get better.

What do you love about pickleball?

I love the competitive yet fun nature of the game. I really admire the community it has fostered among participants as it has a pretty cool social element to it and is inclusive of all ages.

I didn't resume coaching youth sports after the pandemic ended so it has given me an outlet for competition and a game to try and master and continually get better at.

What do you do outside of pickleball (hobbies, work, school, etc)?

I work as a Special Projects Manager for a construction company and have worked on many marquee projects statewide, I enjoy traveling, college football and basketball. I’m a budding Youtube content creator and I design and manufacture sportswear—basketball and pickleball focused…I guess the result of the Mrs. and I being empty nesters now.

What paddle are you playing with?

I have the Legacy Pro and the Vatic Pro Prism as my primary paddles. The Legacy Pro has power and quick return capabilities, the Vatic is a spin and control paddle for me, great for ball placement on serves and dinks.

How often do you play?

I play three times a week.

What is the next goal you’re working toward (in pickleball or otherwise)?

Pickleball wise I want to place first in a tournament, I have played in three, one silver medal, one bronze medal, and one a great learning experience as the level of play by others was outstanding.

Hoping some of my entrepreneurial endeavors will someday allow for pickleball travels and tournament life.

In the real world, watching my kids grow in life and continue to have success.

Anything else on your mind?

Thanks for creating this platform in Hawaii for the pickleball community, excited about Forte and hope everyone works together to continue to make Hawaii a special place.

You’ve got such a unique background—from your professional life to your creative pursuits and family. Can you share a bit more about yourself that people might not know?

I’m a licensed pilot, former ILH and club basketball coach—I coached at La Pietra School for 11 years. I’ve got two daughters (20 and 24), and a stepson who’s 26.

I’m African American, Chinese, and American Indian, and I’ve traced my family roots back to migrants who helped build the railroads across the mainland in the 1700s and 1800s. Music and the ocean are both huge parts of my life. And this year—I’m hoping to lose 15 pounds.