JD’s Wack It Racket: Carrying Forward a Dream

JD Deschler, was so many things — an educator, a coach, a mentor, an athlete, a mountain man, a friend, and a parent. He touched countless lives through his teaching, coaching, and friendship, always bringing creativity, wisdom, and a big-hearted spirit to everything he did.

What many may not know is that JD was also an inventor. For decades, he and Pam poured their love for teaching into developing a game they called the Wack It Racket. Born out of their years in education, it was created to help children fall in love with movement, sport, and creativity — giving them tools to build confidence, resilience, and joy.

Losing him so suddenly this year was heartbreaking. Before he passed, JD asked I carry this vision forward, as he wasn’t able to complete it. I promised him I would. Now, this effort is about more than finishing an invention — it’s about keeping his legacy alive and bringing together his teammates, students, friends, family, and community to help realize his dream.

What is the Wack It Racket?

The Wack It Racket is an innovative educational tool designed to make the entry into sports easier and more successful for young children. It can be thought of as a child-friendly version of baseball, tennis or pickleball — reimagined with an innovative racket design and softer balls to better match kids’ developmental needs.

The Wack It Racket is a versatile, universal tool that supports the development of fundamental movement patterns and success in sport, helping children build the coordination, confidence, and foundation they need to thrive. it makes it easier for them to find success and joy in movement and sport.!

To make it even more engaging, specific games have been created for the Wack It Racket, turning practice into playful learning. These games not only make participation fun, but also encourage skill development, teamwork, and joy in movement.

At its heart, the Wack It Racket is about more than play. It is about building confidence, sparking joy, and giving children a successful entry into sport. JD always believed that sport saved his life and gave him the mindset and skills to succeed. Through the Wack It Racket, he wanted to bring those same gifts of sport to children everywhere — ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow, play, and thrive.

To reach this vision we need your support with funding the project ..here is the breakdown -

Financial Goal – $95,000

To bring the Wack It Racket from prototype to a fully market-ready product, funding will cover:

Prototyping & Product Design – $18,000

Refine design and functionality for children

Select safe, durable materials

Build and test second-generation prototypes with engineers and designers

Safety Testing & Compliance – $9,000

Independent lab testing for U.S. child safety standards (CPSIA, ASTM, etc.)

Certifications to ensure compliance before production

Adjustments to design if required

Manufacturing Preparation – $24,000

Molds and tooling for production

Manufacturer selection and contracting

Small pilot production run for feedback and refinement

Branding, Packaging & Storytelling – $14,000

Logo, graphics, and brand design

Packaging that appeals to children and parents

Instructional inserts and brand story integration

Marketing & Market Launch Strategy – $20,000

Website and digital platform development

Professional video and photography assets

Social media campaigns, PR outreach, and retailer presentations

Community and school engagement programs

Distribution & Logistics – $10,000

Warehousing, initial shipping, and fulfillment setup

Partnerships with distributors, schools, and direct-to-consumer platforms

Total: $95,000

This budget provides the essential investment to carry JD’s invention from vision to reality — ensuring the Wack It Racket is safe, engaging, and ready to inspire children everywhere.

If JD touched your life and you want to be part of his legacy, his vision, and his dream, we invite you to join us. Please consider contributing to the realization of the Wack It Racket, so that together we can carry forward JD’s spirit of movement, sport, joy, and creativity for generations of children.

Thank you for taking this journey with us and and helping us carry forward JD’s dream and legacy.

Lynette Deschler and the Deschler Family