Racquetballquarterly publication of the Racquetball Association Reporter of Michigan October 2003 Volume XIV, Issue 1 In This Issue US SINGLES PLAYERS CAPTURE GOLD MEDALS Page 2 AT THE XIV PAN AMERICAN GAMES - Sharon Huczek RAM Board Members RAM Board Meeting The XIV Pan American Games took place on August 1-17, 2003 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Repub- Letter from the Prez lic with 7,700 athletes and officials from 42 countries participaing in 38 sports. This event has grown in stature throughout the years. The first Pan American Games opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina with 2,500 athletes from 22 countries. The sport of racquetball first entered the games in 1995. Page 3 Representation for a sport in the Pan American games is critical. It is one of many hurdles for any sport Hall of Fame Nominations Hall of Fame Calendar bidding for an Olympic position. A brand new 8-court racquetball facility, with 6 glass back wall courts Club Profile: and 2 back and side wall glass courts was specifically built for the games in order for racquetball to Farmington YMCA ensure a spot in this year’s event. The racquetball venue was centered in the main park, the Olympic Park, which hosted 16 other sports. Each day the park was packed with spectators, many of which visited the racquetball venue raising the visiablity of the sport. Page 4 One of the highlights of the event was Jack Huczek Fall Brawl Racquetball (MI) defeating Canada’s Mike Green in straight Tournament games 15-12, 15-7 to earn his first Pan American Bronson Athletic Club Tournament gold medal. Jack made his way with relative ease through the draw until reaching the semifinals. His semifinal match with Rocky Carson (CA) was marred Page 5-6 with emotional outbursts due to inaccurate referee National Doubles Update scoring. Unfortunately, the linesmen and coaches Womens Travel Challenge failed to correct a point error and Jack was penal- USRA Michigan Player ized with a technical foul. With a determined Rankings mindset, Jack took the victory with a decisive 11-6 tiebreaker win. Page 7 Cheryl Gudinas (IL) earned a gold medal for the US 2003-04 Tournament by defeating fellow US team member Laura Fenton Calendar (KY) with scores of 15-9, 11-15, 11-5. Cheryl also won the gold medal in 1999 and a silver medal in 1995 in this event. Page 8 The US doubles team of Ruben Gonzales (NY) and Membership Application Mike Guidry (TX) earned a silver medal after being outgunned by the Mexican team of Alvaro Beltran DON’T MISS . and Javier Moreno, 15-9, 15-7. The US team had problems finding effective serves against their de- termined opponents. Cheryl Gudinas (IL), Jack Huczek (MI) RAM STATE DOUBLES ENTRY FORM including. In one of the biggest upsets in international racquetball, Mexico defeated the US in women’s doubles General Player Meeting in an exciting match that went the distance, 8-15, 15-7,11-9. The US team of Jackie Rice (CA) and Kim Auction Russell (TX) had not lost a game internationally prior to the upset. Susy Acosta and Rosy Torres were Tournament Party bursting with energy from a loud, dynamic crowd who cheered them to victory. (cont. page 3 ) October 2003 Racquetball Reporter Page 2 - Felicia Mann 2003-04 I don’t know about you, but I can feel the line, and the party is just another excuse Board of Directors increased energy and excitement about for us to hang out with people that we like racquetball all around me. There are more a little longer. (As a side note – if you have tournaments being hosted, more people anything of value that you would like to do- President playing in leagues, and we don’t even want nate for the auction, please call me at (313) Felicia Mann to get started talking about the Juniors pro- 995-1947. The gifted items do not have to (586) 436-0390 grams. New programs are blossoming, be racquetball related – just something that and old programs are taking on a whole your fellow racquetball player would enjoy Vice President new flavor. I encourage you to look at the for a modest cost). Jack Huczek schedule of racquetball events on our web (248) 373-4541 page - michiganracquetball.org - to keep Lastly, I would like to encourage those rac- up with the lasted in racquetball here in quetball players who are not a member of Secretary Michigan. Now is an exciting time to be the USRA to join. This is usually a touchy involved in racquetball – not only in our subject, but it really shouldn’t be. People Sharon Huczek 3 (248) 373-5255 state, but nationally as well. often ask the question WI - FM (“what is in it for me”), and the usual response is New this year, at the State Doubles Tour- “Well, you get a nice magazine six times a Treasurer nament (Total Sports – December 5 -7, year, and discounts on Hertz car rental and Twayne Howard 2003), the RAM Board is sponsoring a Choice Hotels.” But I say to you that do- (616) 771-0312 statewide RACQUETBALL PLAYER nating your thirty dollars is an opportunity MEETING! at 7:00 pm, Saturday, Decem- for you to share your love for racquetball. Board Members ber 6th. The purpose of the meeting is to Not only can you be excited about your own Tom Blakeslee share some of the new developments racquetball play, you now get the chance Jack White about our state and national racquetball or- to share and support someone else in their Karen Green ganizations, and to provide a forum for you racquetball endeavors – whether it be some to voice any concerns and/or comments Juniors that you will never meet, or intro- about racquetball here in Michigan. It does ducing a housewife to the game – it is all Webmaster not matter whether you are a USRA mem- for a great cause. All that it costs you is Randy Pagels ber or not, All are welcome! Immediately $30 and some faith that your governing (313) 235-7965 following the meeting, RAM is hosting the bodies (RAM and the USRA) will be good “Boy, I Really Like That!” Auction and stewards of your gift. The purpose of your * * * * * * * * Racquetball Party. The proceeds from the donation is to promote racquetball, not Sanctioning Committee auction will be used by RAM to help fund to take over your leagues or to force you to Felicia Mann some new programs that are in the pipe- (cont on page 4) Twayne Howard Tom Blakeslee UPCOMING RAM BOARD MEETINGS . (810) 468-2787 Saturday, November 8, 2003 Junior’s Committee Noon Sharon Huczek Franklin Racquet Club 29350 Northwestern Hwy. Newsletter Southfield, Michigan The Racquetball Reporter 321 Village Dr. Lansing, MI 48911 Saturday, December 6, 2003 7:00 pm The Racquetball Reporter is the official Total Sports publication of the Racquetball Associa- tion of Michigan (RAM) and is published 40501 Production Dr. quarterly. Reproduction in whole or part Mt. Clemens, Michigan of any text, photograph, or illustration without the written permission of RAM is strictly prohibited. “Letters to the RAM would like to issue an invitatrion for all Editor”, photographs and editorial/article contributions should be sent to: Editor, racquetball players to attend both of the RAM The Racquetball Reporter, 321 Village Board Meetings. These are always open to Dr., Lansing, MI 48911. Address the public. Attend a meeting and get in- changes should be sent to: USRA, 1685 W. Uintah, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. volved!!!! October 2003 Racquetball Reporter Page 3 NOMINATION FOR THE RAM please contact Jim Easterling at (517) Checks should be made payable to HALL OF FAME 887-0459. RAM Hall of Fame and mailed to RAM - Jim Easterling Hall of Fame, 321 Village Dr., Lansing, All nominations for induction into the MI 48911. This is a great calendar and Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame for is for a great cause. Please support The Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame 2003-04 must be received by the Hall of racquetball in Michigan, order your was developed, in 1984, by the Rac- Fame Committee no later than 2003-2004 racquetball calendar today. quetball Association of Michigan (RAM) NOVEMBER 14, 2003. If you have further questions, please to honor those recipients who demon- contact Jim Easterling, (517) 887-0459. strate outstanding achievement, lead- ership or contribution to the sport of rac- MICHIGAN RACQUETBALL quetball in the State of Michigan. CALENDARS FOR SALE PAN AM GAMES (cont from page 1) Induction into the Hall of Fame is done Michigan has just completed publication yearly. The honor is based upon of its first ever racquetball calendar. The YEARS OF CONSISTENT EXCEL- The highly attractive Pan American Vil- calendar which runs for 15 months, be- lage provided a range of entertainment LENCE in the sport of racquetball in one gins October 1, 2003 and goes through or more of the following areas: and leisure facilities for the athletes and December 31, 2004. The opened cal- coaching staffs to use for relaxation, en- endar is 11 inches wide,by 17 inches high joyment, and residence. However, ABILITY . and includes all of the Michigan sanc- Through demonstration of exceptional family members of the athletes and tioned racquetball tournaments as of the coaches found it difficult to visit the ath- playing skill in state, regional and/or na- publication date. The calendar features tional tournament competition. letes, due to the tight security measures pictures of different Michigan racquetball in place. Tour buses transported the players for each month. LEADERSHIP . athletes to the various venues around Through generous giving of time and the city for competition.