Check-In With: Coach Leon Thomas and the LPRT

You may remember Coach Leon Thomas from the profile we did earlier this year. He runs Racquetball Revival (RR), a non-profit organization that not only teaches racquetball to Baltimore-area kids but also provides tutoring in math and English, among other things.

You may also know that the LPRT regularly hosts free clinics, sponsored by Team Dovetail, for kids at their events. Recently, the LPRT was at the 32nd LPRT Pro-Am Christmas Classic in Severna Park, MD. The clinic was hosted by LPRT pros Cristina Amaya and Maria Paz Riquelme.

For the second year in a row, the LPRT worked with Leon to bring some of his kids to the clinic – and they had a blast!

Leon Thomas

Although some of the kids were sick and couldn’t attend, he did have 6 kids join.  Of those 6 was a "legacy player" (who’s been with Racquetball Revival since its inception in 2018. This wunderkind is now 10 and has been playing since he was 4. In addition, a young girl attended and saw great role models in the LPRT.

Leon told me that two other kids from the clinic were talking about it so much at school the next day that one of the teachers called him to say that they would not shut up about racquetball!

Leo Thomas

Leo Thomas

Leon’s favorite story: Several months ago, one of his players, 12-year-old Lucas Kutcher, expressed an interest in broadcasting. He's figured out how to stream practices and other events from the RR location. On Saturday of the tournament, he spent 2-3 hours with Jerry J. Josey Jr. of the LPRT learning the technical areas of the LPRT broadcast. Then at 2pm he ran the controls for the bonus coverage match; the Women’s Open Final between Maria Renee Rodriguez and Jessica Parilla! Lucas’ mother was there watching, stunned that Lucas had this opportunity. 

Karen Grisz

Leon is eternally grateful to the LPRT for giving Lucas such an opportunity, and for continuing to support the program with its clinics at the annual Christmas Classic.  As a personal supporter of the tournament, and of Leon’s program, so am I.  In this season of thanks and giving, this story warms my heart.

To give you an idea of some of the achievements RR has seen:

Elonzo Walker earned his Recording Studio Certification with the Baltimore County Public Library. The Catonsville branch has two recording studios, and Elonzo is the only student in the county to hold this certification.

They have graduates of the program attending (2024 Graduating Class), Temple University, University of Maryland, and the United States Air Force. Other graduates attend Robert Morris University, Morgan State University, and University of Maryland-Baltimore County. So far, the 2025 graduates have been accepted at Frostburg State University, Towson University, and Salisbury State University.

From Leon: “All of this because of racquetball. This sport, and your support allows us to make a difference in the lives of kids and the communities they live in.”

From me to Leon: “All because of your passion for the sport and your community.  You are truly an inspiration.  I hope your success continues and inspires others.”

Want to learn more?  Visit https://www.racquetballrevival.com/