Harrisburg Hosts Pennsylvania Leg of a World Record Attempt: 48 Pickleball Games in 48 States in Less than 48 Days
Two former Penn State Nittany Lions trade shoulder pads for pickleball paddles to participate

HARRISBURG, PA, May 20, 2023  --  Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority hosted a Sarasota-based pilot and pickleball enthusiast on his quest to set a World Record.

Dean Matt is attempting a World Record for the Fastest Time to Play a Game of Pickleball in all 48 Contiguous States. Matt will fly his Cessna Turbo 206 to all locations, playing against local athletes, community leaders, or other special guests along the way. (Note: Matt’s playing partner will vary throughout the event.)

“It’s an honor that Dean and his team chose the Hershey Harrisburg Region to represent Pennsylvania as he travels across the nation in this World Record attempt,” said Hershey Harrisburg Sports & Events Authority Executive Director Gregg Cook. “Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation, and we’re excited to spend time at the Country Club of Harrisburg to take in Pennsylvania’s leg of this special event,” Cook continued.

It is estimated that about 38 million people have played pickleball in the last year, making it one of the fastest growing sports ever.

World Record Event Overview: Fastest Time to Play a Game of Pickleball in all 48 Contiguous States   

  • Start/End: Dolphin Aviation, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)
  • The Plane:  N148DW, a 2013 Cessna Turbo 206 six passenger single engine airplane
  • The Pilot (& Player):  Dean Matt:  Commercial, Instrument, 1,800 hours, 45+ years flying experience
  • World Record Attempt Dates:  May 1 – May 26, 2023
  • Pennsylvania Host Location: Country Club of Harrisburg | May 20 | 1 p.m.
  • Pennsylvania Guest Player #1: Jordan Hill – Former NFL Player (Seattle Seahawks), Penn State University, Steel-High High School | Trinity High School Head Football Coach
  • Pennsylvania Guest Player #2: Michael Mauti - Former NFL player (Vikings, Saints), Penn State University | Trinity High School Assistant Football Coach
  • Pennsylvania Schedule: PA is stop number #34 and 1 of 15 state capitals represented on the trip

Playing locations across the nation will include traditional public pickleball courts as well as private clubs, “eatertainment” establishments, private country clubs, stadiums “where the pros play,” private residences, airport tarmacs, and more. Along their 26-day journey, they will play local “picklers,” celebrities, pickleball professionals and team owners (from the sport’s major leagues including APP, PPA, and MLP), media figures, mayors, and even a governor or two.

***Video Note: If the playback is fuzzy, go to the settings and select 1080p for a better viewing quality. 

About HHSE

HHSE is committed to promoting sports tourism and events initiatives in the Hershey Harrisburg Region, forging mutually beneficial partnerships with new and existing client economic development as it relates to sports and events tourism. HHSE is a division of Visit Hershey Harrisburg, which serves as a partnership-based Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Dauphin County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

About MuchoDeanAero

MuchoDeanAero is an aviation event and adventure company based out of Sarasota, FL and specializes in high-profile/impact national marketing events such as The 48-48-48 Pickleball Challenge.  Their motto is “Always try to keep the number of landings equal to the number of takeoffs.” 

MuchDeanAero: www.Mucho-Dean-Aero.com/The-Pickleball-Challenge

Flight Tracking: www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N148DW

About Country Club of Harrisburg

The Country Club of Harrisburg is the oldest established private club in the Central Pennsylvania area. It was founded in 1896 by a distinguished list of Harrisburg business leaders seeking the social and sports amenities of country club life for themselves and their families. The Country Club of Harrisburg is built on the foothills of the Blue Mountains, high above the Susquehanna River in scenic Fishing Creek Valley, just ten minutes from Harrisburg and convenient to both East Shore and West Shore locations.