Queen of Court pickleball tournament benefits cancer care

By: The North Platte Bulletin - Sep. 25, 2025

North Platte’s fourth annual Queen of the Court pickleball tournament was held Saturday, Sept. 20 at Cody Park, attracting 55 participants from more than seven nearby communities.

The proceeds will be given to cancer patients at Great Plains Health Callahan Cancer Center.

The fundraiser was created in honor of Rich Deckert who battled Pancreatic Cancer for seven years.

Deckert was an inspiration for the community, running in Platte River Fitness Series, playing softball and pickleball, bowling and other activities, organizer Barb Baldridge said.

He managed North Platte’s women’s pickleball leagues and events and helped maintain the Memorial Park pickleball courts. His dream was to see the Cody Park pickleball courts completed, which were fully completed earlier this year.

Baldridge said Deckert was able to compete at a high level in pickleball while undergoing chemo treatments for seven years. He was known to come directly from treatments to the courts at the last minute for games.

His passion for pickleball spread to the oncology department at the Callahan Cancer Center. He introduced numerous hospital workers to the game, which in turn led to the Queen of the Court fundraiser.  

This year, there were three divisions, eight separate pools, five queens (winners) were crowned, 20 women earned medals, and everyone went home with gifts and new friendships, organizer Barb Baldridge said.

A check will be presented soon to the Callahan Cancer Center.

Thanks to our board members, club members, the many donors and volunteers that stepped up, showed up, set up and helped tear down for this event, Baldridge said on behalf of the board of directors of the pickleball association.

Thanks also goes to Dunkin’ Donuts for numerous door prizes, to Danny & Joyce Delgado for their annual generosity, to Great Plains Health & Gift Box for donating the ‘Queen Throne’ accent chair, blanket and gift sack, and to each participant for donating door prizes.

The board members are Tricia Schaffer, Jane Wilkinson, Sharon Sewald, Kathy Huebner, Jen Prieto and Barb Baldridge.

Full Article