Clinical neuropsychology is one of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) specialty fields. A pursuit devoted to the connection between human thought, brain structure, and the impulses accompanying them. Dr. Gregg Nigl has dedicated his life to this field; in particular, he is focused on helping our Veterans. While introverted and centered on his job, the laid back Nigl ignites when it comes to pickleball, a sport he was introduced to in 2006 at the American Lake VA in Washington (the state where pickleball was created in the 1960’s).
“As an intern at the VA, we had a campus style environment. My building was across from the gymnasium, and you could hear the pickleballs at lunchtime.
“We went over, and it was a Veteran-led activity. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. They invited the staff to play,” he said.
The young twenty something intern impressed the Vets, and they asked him, a civilian, to continue playing with them, which he was honored to do.
“My grandfather was in World War 2, and I have had several family members serve as well,” he said.
He also started playing after work and on weekends, and a bonafide passion was born. He loved the game, but extra time for pickleball tends to drift when focusing on clinical neuropsychology as a career choice. When his internship was completed, his work would carry him to Pennsylvania. He finished his 2-year postdoctoral training in Pennsylvania and immediately started working for the Columbus VA in 2009.
“My job primarily involves conducting cognitive assessments such as testing their attention/concentration and memory. I work with all sorts of Veterans, including those who have sustained brain injuries, strokes, dementia, and other medical issues that can impact cognition,” he said.
Nigl also assesses the patient’s emotional and psychological impact and overall quality of life, working directly towards solutions. He has honed many job and research skills while serving our Veterans through his work.
He probably could have continued his routine and remained satisfied. A decade had passed since he played pickleball but a family trip to Michigan, the birthplace of Nigl and his wife Casandra, occurred and something special happened.
“I was just visiting my family over the Thanksgiving holiday (I believe it was 2018) when my mother asked if I wanted to play pickleball. I got back into it,” he said.
Once he was back In Columbus, he searched and was able to find a vibrant pickleball community.
“I started looking for pickleball in Columbus and found pros Will Willson and David Seckel, who run Columbus Pickleball. They were running a ladder league and that’s how I got back involved with pickleball after all the years that had passed,” he said.
The game would again ignite in him, but it fit into his life differently now. He would enjoy partnering with his wife. They would make new friends and come to cherish each of them. The social component would bring him joy. His two children would even enjoy recreation and exercise by playing. A family using the game together.
When the sport’s popularity took off, Nigl hatched an idea. One that reminded him of his days as a young intern playing with the Veterans at that hospital. However, all these years later, it was an idea based on the psychological value of pickleball.
“My wife and I discussed that one of my common recommendations is to exercise and be as active as possible physically, mentally, and socially, which is something that pickleball can integrate. Those are the things pickleball has done for me,” he said.
While he recommended all sorts of aerobic activities to his patients, he saw something of value in what other Veteran hospitals were already doing. They were offering a pickleball group.
“Veterans have many issues and pickleball accommodates that. We also could play outdoors and indoors. The strategy behind it is to get our Veterans out of the house and socializing and the great physical and mental activity too,” he said.
Nigl went to work preparing a formal proposal, researching, and creating a Powerpoint to share with staff. He was amazed as he talked to the local community about their initial positive reaction and how eager they were to hear more about his ideas.
As with everything, there were some obstacles. On the day of his presentation, the media at the hospital was not functioning so he gave his proposal without the PowerPoint.
“I just got in front of them holding a paddle and a ball, demonstrating why pickleball would matter to our Veterans,” he said.
It went over well, and a tentative approval was on the table. Then, a more significant obstacle interrupted the process – the pandemic. The closings pushed everything aside for some time.
Post-pandemic Nigl revisited his idea. He is confident of the need and is excited about his local pickleball community’s interest. Rather than approaching it as an onsite proposal, he is looking at it now as a community project focused on Veterans. The plan is to have his wife lead the project initially. However, they believe there will be plenty of opportunities for others in the thriving Columbus pickleball scene to volunteer their time if the program is successful and grows over time.
His wife is glad to be part of helping others. As a tribute to her mother who passed from Alzheimer’s, she coordinated a Longest Day event on June 21, 2022, with the proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The pickleball community came out in support and the Scarborough East Tennis/Pickleball facility donated the court space. Pickleball pro Will Willson gave lessons and donated the proceeds to help make the event a huge success. The Nigl’s hope to make this a yearly event.
“Several of our close pickleball friends also volunteered their time for Longest Day. This was a perfect example of how the pickleball community supports each other,” he said.
Nigl’s pickleball goals for himself are what one might expect from a neuropsychologist. He is weighing many human thoughts and the impulses that accompany them.
“This is a physical issue. Pickleball can be competitive. My wife and I play in tournaments, and since I play about 5-6 times a week, it can take its toll on your body. But it can also just be a fun, relaxed time that won’t lead to lots of soreness as I have from playing so much,” he said.
Moving forward, he may play less often so he can recover physically. Even if he ends up playing less in the future, he still ignites when it comes to the power of pickleball for Veterans and the hope it brings.
Images provided courtesy of Gregg Nigl. Feature photo by Jim Bender.
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