CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS
Meet our TRUE professionals!
EJ Hakala, Pro
Skill level: 4.0+ | ehakala@playtruepc.com
EJ is a PPR Certified Coach. He has coaching experience as an NFL Youth Flag Football Coach and AAU Basketball Coach.
He is a multi sport athlete and enjoys playing football, flag football, basketball, and found a passion for pickleball in 2021. He has been playing competitive pickleball for the past year! His love for pickleball stems from not only the competition but the strategy that's required in winning at the higher levels.
Random Fact: EJ is a DIE HARD Dallas Cowboys Fan!
Favorite Quote: "Heart is what separates the good from the great." - Michael Jordan
Brian Mahar
Skill level: 4.0 | bmahar@playtruepc.com
Brian is a key member of our TRUE training staff and is a certified PPR coach who enjoys coaching both private and small group lessons. His pickleball passion is teaching and learning different strategies as well as quick play at the net.
He began playing pickleball in 2022 when a friend introduced him to the game on a lined backyard basketball court. He has since played regularly, including leagues and tournament play. Brian enjoyed playing sports throughout his entire life, especially baseball and basketball.
Brian's coaching skills go beyond pickleball as he coached multiple youth sports teams over the years, including softball, basketball and soccer. The skills he's learned from these earlier sports were easily transferable to pickleball.
Favorite Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.” - Wayne Gretzky
Sean O’Donnell
Skill level: 4.0+ | sodonnell@playtruepc.com
Sean’s life has revolved around athletics. Throughout his years, Sean has participated in basketball, track & field, dirt bike racing and triathlons. Two years ago, Sean also found a passion for pickleball, which since has become a significant part of his life.
Sean works part-time for True Pickleball Club and is a certified PPR coach. He loves both playing and coaching pickleball. In addition, his coaching experience includes coaching both 5th and 6th grade basketball programs.
Apart from pickleball, Sean is an entrepreneur. He runs a photography business as well as a microgreens farm, which supplies local restaurants with nutritious greens.
Favorite Quote: “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” – Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Mary Rose Parisi
mrose@playtruepc.com
Mary Rose is a certified PPR coach who specializes in coaching both private and group lessons. Her experience lies in several years of teaching tennis and she thoroughly enjoys helping players achieve their highest potential.
She grew up in a large family in Brooklyn where games with siblings were abundant, 7 brothers and 3 sisters . Being a natural athlete, her passion for racquet sports runs the gamet. She has over 20 years experience as an avid tennis player, racquetball and yes, ping pong. These skills have easily transferred to her latest passion for pickleball at True Pickleball Club.
Mary Rose’s enthusiasm is contagious and her passion for her players is evident on the courts as she watches them grow in the sport, gain skills and most importantly sees them laugh, gain confidence and make new friendships.
Favorite Quote: “Surround yourself with the dreamers, the doers, the believers, and thinkers; but most of all surround yourself with those who you see greatness with those who see greatness within you even when you don’t see it yourself.” - Simone Biles
Veronica Alteri
Come meet our newest Pro! Welcome Veronica!
Veronica is a 2023 graduate from Schalmont High School where she was No. 1 in singles for the Schalmont girls’ tennis team last year. Her 8 years playing tennis seamlessly transitioned her to her 2 year pickleball career thus far. With 2 year's in, she's already won an APP tournament!
Veronica recently completed her freshman season of NCAA Division II tennis at Ave Maria University in Naples, FL where she was coached by her roommate’s tennis pro, turned pickleball pro, where she got more and more into pickleball. What better place to master her craft than at the self-proclaimed Pickleball capital of the world!
In her free time, she likes to game and play with her dog. She enjoys the quick reaction time required at the net in pickleball and the smaller court where she doesn’t have to work as hard as tennis. Veronica will continue her 9 months at school in the fall where the Minto U.S. Open Pickleball Championships are held and work on lessons at True when home during the summer and breaks.
Favorite Quote: "The only person you should try to be better than is the person you were yesterday." - Novak Djokovic