USA Racquetball

The Official U.S. Racquetball Association Website

Renew Early

Renew Early and Save Money
As the year comes to an end consider renewing your USAR membership early and you could save money. Your membership supports the organization and the sport of racquetball.
For more information about membership news, visit the President's Page.

1 year - Save $15
3 year - Save $25
Junior - Save $5

Click the button to renew.

Upcoming Events

Delaware State Doubles
2009 Delaware 6th Annual
Cardile Brothers State
Doubles Championships
January 10-11, 2009

WSMRA National Championships
2009 20th Annual
WSMRA National
Racquetball Championships
January 16-18, 2009

News Announcement

The USA Racquetball Board of Directors recently approved an increase in membership dues--the first since early 2006. This increase is necessary to continue to provide great benefits, programs and services to members as well as support the future of racquetball. Click here to read the complete announcement on the President's Page.
* The USA Racquetball membership dues increase effective date has been moved from January 1, 2009 to February 1, 2009. We hope this additional month before the increase effective date will make it a bit easier for you to renew your membership.

GoodSearch

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates advertising revenue to non-profit associations. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and help donate to USA Racquetball. More than 700 of the top Internet retailers and travel sites including Amazon, eBay, Target, Apple, Expedia and more have joined forces with GoodShop.com to donate part of every purchase to USAR at no additional cost. To read more, click here, to start donating click the GoodSearch logo.

How To Play

New to racquetball?

To play a game of racquetball you only need a few things to get started. Most racquetball equipment and accessories can be purchased seperately or starter kits can be purchased for about $30 from a club proshop or sporting goods retail store.
• Racquet (Cost anywhere from $20-$200, depends on budget, and willingness to pay for feel and technology.)
• Eyewear (Recommended and important, helps reduce the risk of injury if you are hit in the eye.)
• Ball (Balls come in different colors such as blue, green, lavender and black. Any color will do.)
• Glove. (Optional, this will help you keep a firm grip on the racquet during those fast rallies.)
• Shoes (Any type of indoor court or tennis shoe, there are shoes designed specifically for racquetball.)

For more information on how to play, tips from the pro's, video instruction and more visit Racquetball University online.

Do you know someone who is interested or new to racquetball? Send them an e-mail about this website.

If you are NOT a member of the USAR, send us your name and e-mail to receive the free monthly racquetball e-newsletter. In the subject box please write "e-mail newsletter" to insure delivery.

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Donate to USAR

USA Racquetball depends upon public donations to continue its work. There are several different ways you can help and it's TAX Deductible! Click any of the logos to donate today.
Click Here to Learn More

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USAR is a proud member of Sports Charities USA

Vehicle Donation Program
Click Here or Call
877-999-8322

Click on any of the logos and donate today.

USAR is a proud partcipant in the Combined Federal Campaign

USAR is a proud participant of the United Way Campaign

UP NEXT: USA Racquetball 42nd US National Doubles Championships--Feb. 11-15, 2009

USA Racquetball 42nd US National Doubles Racquetball Championships--Feb. 11-15, 2009

sponsored by

The 2009 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships will be held February 11-15, 2009 in Tempe, AZ. The event is racquetball's premier doubles tournament and is presented by Head/Penn and sponsored by Ektelon, E-Force, and Gearbox Racquetball. Over 100 national doubles racquetball champions will be crowned with gold medals in divisions seperated by skill, age, and age+skill for men and women.

The Men's and Women's US Team Qualifying division will determine one-year appointments to the U.S. National Team that will be competing in the 2009 PARC 22nd Pan Am Racquetball Championships.

For more information visit the links below. The deadline to enter the event is Friday, January 30, 2009.

Online Sign-up | 2008 Final Results

Member Spotlight-Chris Knight

WPRO #1 Rhonda Rajsich with Chris Knight

For over 10 years now, Chris Knight has caught the fever that most racquetball players are stricken with once they play a game or two. "I noticed the game looked like a lot of fun," said Knight. "It was fast and you didn't have to chase everwhere to find the ball (like tennis). I joined a B/C league and worked my way up into the A league.".... Read More

Do you know a USAR member who might be a worthy story for Member Spotlight? Send an e-mail to Leo Vasquez, e-mail: leo@usra.org

Team USA Juniors Win Worlds

2008 Team USA Juniors-World Champions

l-r: Cheryl Gudinas Holmes, Andy Pitock, Jose Diaz, Marcos Rojas, Josa Rojas, Nick Montalbano, Danny Lavely, Taylor Knoth, Bardley Kirsch, Jansen Allen, Jen Meyer, Kelley Beane, Shane Wood. Bottom: Devon Pimentelli, Sheryl Lotts, Danielle Key, Sharon Jackson, Shannon Inglesby, Aubrey O'Brien, Courtney Chisholm

The IRF 20th World Junior Racquetball Championships concluded in Tempe, AZ as nearly 300 players from 17 countries competed in singles and doubles for individual and team world championships.
For the first time since in 2002 Team USA would reclaim the overall Team Title from Mexico who has held the team championship for six consecutive years.
USA's Jose Rojas was crowned the winner of the Boy's 18 and under singles division as he would defeat Mexico's Erick Sandoval in the finals, 15-7, 15-9. Rojas would also add another gold medal to his resume by winning the Boy's 18 and under doubles with partner Jansen Allen as they narrowly defeated Team Mexico in the finals, 13-15, 15-10, 11-8.
The Boy's 16 and under doubles would also see Team USA against Team Mexico in the finals as USA's Nick Montalbano and Bradley Kirch would go up against Alejandro Cardona and Pedro Gonzalez. Montalbano and Kirch prevailed in the tie-breaker to win the match and the gold medal, 15-14, 14-15, 11-5.

USA's Danielle Key also found a way to comeback against Bolivia's Yazmine Sabja after Key dropped the first game 15-2, but would win the second game 15-11, and then close out the tie-breaker 11-9 for her gold medal win in the Girl's 16 and under singles. Key would team up with Aubrey O'Brien in the Girl's 16 and under doubles and go undefeated to claim the gold medal.
Junior TEAM USA faced tough competition from other countries such as Canada, Bolivia, and Mexico, last year's overall team champion.

On-Line Results | IRF | USA Junior Team

New Facility Directory

Maverick Athletic Club, Arlington, TX 10 Courts, www.themav.com

USA Racquetball has recently launched a campaign to update existing or add new court clubs and facilities. The new

Facility Directory is a module built by Jay Mathis for USAR and all the other Racquetball Content Management System websites. It is a compilation of several different sources for club lists and is in need of updating.

A very nice feature of the new Facility Directory is an interactive map that also gives details such as the website, phone number, guest fees, number of courts and other detailed information.
The ability for the general public to submit new facilities or suggest changes to existing records assists in having accurate information (subject to approval). In the near future, players will be able to add their names to individual club listings. The list will be made available in XML format that other websites can use and display however they want. Click on the Facility Directory link or on the left side menu at the bottom.
Feedback on functionality and content can be sent to Jay Mathis [mathisjay@hotmail.com]

The Scorecard

	Maverick Holiday Shootout Maverick A.C.--Arlington, TX Boy's 10-under Brady Yelverton def. Russell Chavez

	4th Annual Kansas Winter Shootout The Athletic Club.--Overland Park, KS Men's B Tyler Alt def. Larry Friedline

* Results via the USAR/R2sports racquetball tournament software.

Pro Kennex One Day Shootout

It was a great day of racquetball at the Forest View Racquet Club in Arlington Heights, IL on Saturday December 6th as 38 women competed in the 11th Pro Kennex Women's One Day Shootout. Play began at 9:00am and ended at 8:00pm. There were a lot of tough matches and sore bodies by days end. The event used a round robin format and provided well over 100 matches on the day.
Congratulations to the winners of each division who enjoyed gift certificates to Victoria’s Secret.

Open – Ellen Somberg
A – Cari Mory
B – Delores Lamberson
C – Karen Blair

Special thanks go to Jim Thurber at the Forest View Racquet Club for helping out and allowing use of the club for the day. Jim is doing a fantastic job promoting the sport and building a program at Forest View. Also, a special thanks to Scott Fauque, Martha Huske and Julie Vincent for helping run the event. It was Scott’s first time helping with an event and he learned a lot, not only about running a tournament but how to keep 40 women happy at one time and did a great job at it.

Thank you to Mike Martinez at Pro Kennex for supplying the giveaways and supporting the event. Mike does a lot for racquetball and is a friend of the sport.
I appreciate all those that brought the extra food and giveaways for the tournament, thank you.

Have a great Holiday and Healthy New Year!!

Dave Negrete
Event Director

Mission Statement

Mission Statement
USA Racquetball (USAR) is the National Governing Body for the sport of racquetball, recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and is committed to excellence and service to our members. We provide opportunities for members and enthusiasts to actively participate in the sport through sanctioning of events, administration of programs and development of competitive teams.

Vision Statement
To provide racquetball opportunities in the sport of racquetball for all levels of participation........Read More

Girl's Junior Team Wins

Girl's Junior Team

The girl's junior racquetball team won the girl's overall championship at the 20th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships in Tempe, AZ. The World Cup final standings for all countries:

World Cup Standings
1. USA 2. Mexico 3. Bolivia 4. Canada 5. Costa Rica 6. Ecuador 7. Venezuela 8. Ireland 8T. Chile 9. Guatemala 9T. Dominican Republic

World Cup Boys
1. USA 2. Mexico 3. Bolivia
World Cup Girls
1. USA 2. Bolivia 3. Mexico

Esprit Cup
1. Mexico 2. Bolivia 3. Costa Rica 3T. USA 4. Guatamala 5. Nicaragua 6. Canada 7. Chile 8. Ecuador 9. Honduras

Esprit Cup Boys
1. Mexico 2. Bolivia 3. Costa Rica
Esprit Cup Girls
1. Mexico 2. Bolivia 3. USA

Friendship Cup
1. Costa Rica 2. Mexico 3. Bolivia 4. Canada 5. USA

Racquetball Magazine

November/December Issue of Racquetball Magazine Take a look inside the November/December issue of Racquetball Magazine and you will find everything dedicated to junior racquetball. There are sections on junior programs for athletic clubs, how to start a high school league program and also summer camps for kids.

Also included is a special section titled, "Past U.S. Junior Team Members Speak Up" filled with advice to current juniors players as well as great memories from past racquetball experiences. The U.S. Junior National Team bios are also included as they prepare to play in the 2008 IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships. Instruction information from top teaching professionals Steve Strandemo, Fran Davis and Sudsy Monchik all share their tips for training to be a top junior player.

Adobe PDF • Free Magazine Preview

State News

Next State Association Conference Call:
Tuesday - January 6th @ 8pm EST, 7pm CST, 6pm MST, 5pm PST
The next conference call meeting for State Directors will be Tuesday - January 6, 2009. Download the information from the December State Association Conference call by clicking on the link.

• December Presentation (Adobe PDF)

Archived Conference Call Documents

2007 US OPEN DVD Now Available

Click the logo to order today.
Click here to watch a short clip.

2007 US Open DVD Set - Year after year the US Open produces the best that pro racquetball has to offer. 2007 was no exception with five incredible matches produced for the Tennis Channel by Royster Productions. All matches were played on the state of the art made-for-TV portable stadium racquetball court. Sit back and enjoy these incredible athletes as they lay it all on the line for the most prestigious title in the sport. Visit the merchandise page to order yours or click here.

On Sale For Limited Time

Own A Piece
of History

This limited edition poster is a legendary collection item for any racquetball enthusiast. Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Hall of Fame, USA Racquetball showcases all of the champions and pioneers in the sport of racquetball in a beautiful full color image that is suitable for framing.
The poster also displays a special collection of racquetballs from the 60's, 70's and 80's. The limited edition poster is only $15 plus shipping. Click the poster for a larger image.
To order call (800)-234-5396 x132 or click here to order online.

Monthly Newsletter

• September 2008 Newsletter • July 2008 Newsletter
• March 2008 Newsletter

2007 Newsletters

Racquetball Sculpture Available

Desktop Racquetball Sculpture

The official USA Racquetball Desktop Sculpture is available for a limited time. This beautiful artwork was specially designed for racquetball by the Official U.S. Olympic Artist. Don't miss your chance to purchase this fine art sculpture for your personal racquetball collection. The desktop sculptures are officially licensed by USA Racquetball and cost $150.00. To order yours today call (800)-234-5396 x 132.

Sponsors/Partners

Aflac logo

AFLAC
Insurance Partner

AT&T
Communications Partner

Penn
Official Ball

Python Racquetball
Official Grip


USOC Supporting Organization		IRT Supporting Organization		WOR Supporting Organization		IRF Supporting Organization


WPRO Supporting Organization		WSMRA Supporting Organization		NMRA Supporting Organization


Wilson Official Glove		Ashaway Official String

USA Racquetball 1685 West Uintah Colorado Springs, CO 80904 719.635.5396 tel

web content designed by Leo Vasquez

USA Racquetball

The Official U.S. Racquetball Association Website

Vision StatementTo provide racquetball opportunities in the sport of racquetball for all levels of participation........Read More

Vision Statement
To provide racquetball opportunities in the sport of racquetball for all levels of participation........Read More