Callie Smith

Callie Jo Smith is an American professional pickleball player. In 2021 she ranked as high as No. 3 in both Women's Doubles AND Women's Singles by the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA)https://www.ppatour.com/player-rankings/. Though she has not played in many tournaments hosted by the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP), she finished in the Top 10 of Women's Doubles and Singles in 2020 & 2021 https://apptour.org/app-rankings/. She has been sponsored by multiple different companies over the course of her professional career, but her current sponsors include Optivida Health (2021) https://www.optividahealth.com/ and Spry Smile (also known as XLEAR - 2021)https://xlear.com/spry-dental-defense/. 
== Personal Life ==
Callie was raised in Orem, Utah. From a very young age, Callie was taught tennis by various members of her family - most notable of which is her grandfather the late Wayne Pierce https://byucougars.com/staff/m-tennis/82888/wayne-pearce. Callie played tennis at Orem High School, and is a four-time state high school champion. She went on to play tennis at Brigham Young University during her Freshman year of college, but transferred during her Sophomore year (2012) to the University of Utah. While at the University of Utah Callie had the opportunity to compete in the PAC-12 Conference - considered by many as the best conference at the college level for Women's Tennis. Callie played the No. 2 position in both Women's Singles & Doubles, and amassed a winning record in both. https://utahutes.com/sports/womens-tennis/roster/callie-craig/2364
Callie met her husband Kyle in 2013 on a blind date. Though neither of them believed in blind dates, both have to admit they CAN work - as both only ever went on one blind date - and it was each other. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng on December 30th, 2014. They currently have two children, Camber Lynn (5) and Stockton Wayne (3). Their family still resides in Utah. 
Callie graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science and a Minor Degree in Nutrition. Following graduation, Callie began the process of going to additional schooling to become a Physician's Assistant - but decided to postpone those plans when she and Kyle found out they were pregnant with their daughter Camber. Callie became the Head Tennis Manager at Coach Mike's Tennis Academy in 2015, and successfully managed the club until she stepped down in 2017 to become a stay at home mother. 
Callie and Kyle's families both live in Utah and they enjoy close relationships with all members of their families. 
== Professional Pickleball Career ==
Callie was first introduced to pickleball by Kyle's 88 year old grandfather, who invited her to play in a local indoor pickleball tournament. Prior to this tournament, Callie would have considered herself a "tennis snob" and wanted nothing to do with pickleball. However, in Callie's own words: "How the heck do you say no to your 90 year old grandparent?" Following that tournament Callie was introduced to the people who eventually played a large part of why she loves pickleball. At first, pickleball was strictly done for the social aspect - and spending time with people Callie enjoyed. 
Callie decided to pursue pickleball as a profession in Fall 2019. She took Gold in her first two tournaments she competed in at the professional level and began to feel her desire to compete grow. Since those first tournaments in 2019 Callie has amassed over 50 medals in professional events - and was the U.S. Open Women's Doubles Gold Medalist with her partner Catherine Parenteau. She concluded 2020 ranked Top 5 in PPA rankings for both Women's Doubles and Singles, and has continued to climb in 2021 https://www.ppatour.com/player-rankings/. 
In 2021, Callie and her husband Kyle also founded the pickleball academy known as Paddle Up Pickleball Academy https://paddleuppickleballacademy.com/. This academy provides players of all levels professional instruction that can help them improve their overall pickleball game and performance. Currently their academy is located primarily in SUNPRO Tennis & Pickleball Club https://sunproclub.com/, with additional locations to be announced in 2022. 
Callie also hosts clinics and instruction all around the country and is open for collaboration through her personal website https://paddleuppickleballacademy.com/. 
Category:Pickleball players
Category:People from Orem, Utah