COURTSIDE CHATS Vol. II

Name: Katie Puricelli  AKA (Nickname): Captain, if you haven't seen me in the Captain's hat yet this summer, lemme tell ya, you're missing out.. i get into full Captain mode with this! Obviously enough said!  Age: I’m 23, which may come as a shock because I KNOW, I KNOW, I look like I'm 18! Yes, i am old enough to pour all of your drinks and Yes I’ve been told I look like the younger sister when standing next to my 16-year-old sister….  How long have you worked at CCRC? This is my 5th year! Each year I swear just gets better and better! When summertime comes around I associate it with all things CCRC: the Apted’s, all you fun / loving members, the smell of the DELICIOUS fries and of course the BIG BOPPERS.  Favorite Thing to Eat at CCRC: So for those who always ask me my go-to you know I clearly HAVE to say the chicken quesadilla, I mean with the crispness of the tortilla, the delicious grilled chicken with seasoning on top and the melted cheese has me always going back for more! Obviously you can’t forget about the crema salsa, perfect ratio of salsa and sour cream! I mean can you say YUM!   Best Part of Working at CCRC: Honestly it really is all the members. You all are seriously the best.  Everyone always asks about me and what's new in my life, and I have absolutely loved watching all of your families grow up and be apart of that journey!  Worst Part of Working at CCRC: Luke Fiala… I mean have you met the kid. Kidding!!  Do you play tennis? For how long? Did you play at CCRC? Do you or did you play any other sports? Ummmmm sadly I would have to say never, I feel like I'm not really good at the whole hand-eye coordination while holding a racquet in my hand I would say…. BUTTTT maybe Conner, Cole or Matt can finally give me that lesson they told me they’d give me over 5 years ago… I”M JUST SAYIN. However, I played soccer and volleyball and also swam growing up and loved it all so much! Honestly, a great way to learn time management skills!  Are you still in school? What are you studying?  I graduated from Rockhurst University which is in KCMO May of 2019, I have a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and am currently just a couple days shy of applying to Occupational Therapy School! Along with working at the BEST PLACE EVER I am also an aide at Athletico Physical Therapy which is an Outpatient Rehab Clinic. Pray for me in these next upcoming weeks while I apply to OT schools, and if I seem overly stressed, well its because I am!  Most amount of racquets you've strung in a day? ummmm i learned once about a year ago but then got super busy and forgot so maybe I need someone to teach me how again?? Arky? Alan? Trin? Faith? Cait? Okay wait actually you probably don’t want me to string your racquet.. its probably for the best that way.  Most amount of tickets you've entered after a shift: What are we talking here Fourth of July, Labor Day, Swim Meets, Sunday Funday, the whole 9 yards?? I would have to say in the 5 years I’ve been here I’ve probably entered just shy of 500 in a day. Maybe more, maybe less, it's hard to keep track of them all!  What is it like to work for a family business? I LOVE IT! It honestly is the absolute BEST! The Apted’s make it feel like home, and I mean that literally! I think I spend more time here then I do at my own home! I have been so grateful for the Apted’s and everything they have done for me! I think they have really mastered being a family-owned business, and I think that just goes to show how much the Apted’s care about the members and staff to make sure everyone is always welcomed back day after day. You can always see Dan walking around with either an iced coffee or a diet coke in hand moving onto the next task, Deb with a HUGE smile on her face with her cute little visor and fanny pack on and Dani, with a rosé in hand tackling the next big project because well the wifi is down and us not so tech-savvy people need to figure out a way to put Humpty Dumpty back together again!!   Weirdest thing that has ever happened to you working here (or been asked to you on the phone): So like 3 years ago, Evan Downey was cutting up jalapeños and he then proceeded to touch his eye with said jalapeño juicy finger. Looking at me with his one good eye he yelled, “Get the milk" and then i had to pour milk into his inflamed pupil. Thats something i will definitely be adding to my resume.  Favorite Member to see walk thru the doors: I think I would get yelled at for answering this! Every member I have come to know has made walking into work that much more exciting than it already is. But if I had to choose I would say the Tuesday Night Guys (you know who you all are), my all-time faves Ms. Perla and Ms. Marlo (I’ve known them since they were 2 and they’re now 5) and just HOW can you not love them?? (see pic attached)  and obviously my GO- TO Family…. The Stacks!  Tennis Pro or employee you most admire: I mean I would have to say out of all our WONDERFUL Tennis Pros I would have to choose Ms Macey, who if you didn't already know is getting married to the fabulous Mr. Matthew Kuelker. Overall though, while Macey is beautiful, talented, exquisite, she somehow NEVER sweats, hair looks flawless, and is always the happiest person whenever you see her.   What is something that you want members to know about you that they don’t?  In my spare time when I’m not here or at Athletico I am attempting to learn how to do a headstand, however, I think I'm lacking in this department but I KNOW how crucial it will look on a resume in the future so if anyone has tips or tricks please LMK!   Which would you rather win: Stanley Cup, World Series, World Cup, Rider Cup, Superbowl, NBA Championship,PGA Tour event, etc, Wimbledon, US Open, French Open, Australian Open. I would want to win the World Cup because 1. its obviously during my season: Summer, 2. the trophy is a huge and kinda sorta looks like an Emmy when you squint your eyes and tilt your head to that one side 3. I mean soccer guys are just so dang CUTE,  (which I guess I picked the wrong country club to work at…) What song would you want played when you walk out onto the court or field? Okay so obviously, the Drake and Josh theme song, I Found A Way by Drake Bell.. because the line "I’ll always be picking you up when you're down" really inspires me during set 3-5!  What racquet do you play with? My dream racquet is a Babolat Pure Aero, it's pretty much the Maserati of racquets… pretty sure Arky said that at some point.  What is your happiest memory at CCRC? Honestly, I think I have too many to count… but if I had to list a few I would say: the dive-in movies, working with my brother / best of friends, spray painting on the 3rd of July every year and then driving in on the Fourth and just knowing today is going to be a GREAT day.