September -
October 1997
Vol. 8, No. 5

FROM THE EDITOR: Finally -- A New Season!
by Linda Mojer

If this "welcome to the new season!" editorial sounds a bit half-hearted, it's because – for me, at least – racquetball is a year-round endeavor. I took up the sport in Florida, where you can find a tournament (or two, or three) on just about all 52 weekends of every year – rain or shine. Since moving to Colorado, I've struggled with the concept of "seasonal racquetball." Lay off? Start again in the fall? I just can't see any reason for it ... except that I can't seem to find hide nor hair of my former playing partners! Fair weather friends ... who needs 'em?!

Ummm ... I do. Now that the weather is turning cooler, I want to play! And that's the main reason I'm excited about this "new season" concept – I'll have some opponents! I'm sure many of you feel the same way as we head "back to school" and into the fall ... you've got new shoes, a huge new racquet, spiffy new shorts and attitude to spare. Bring on those tournaments – one right after another!

On the national front, this fall offers plenty of opportunities for players and spectators. At the Promus U.S. OPEN in Memphis, skill level players will have another shot at A,B,C & D national titles – as long as they've been re-certified by their state directors in the three months preceding the event (August-October). For those planning to watch the pros on the glass court, you'll be wise to arrive early for the big matches. This year tickets will be designated as either "back" or "side" placements only – once you know which section you'll be in, it will be "first-come, first-served" for actual seating.

Other changes upcoming in 1998 include a complete overhaul of the USRA's intercollegiate program, including major revisions to the qualifying procedures for the annual National Intercollegiate Championships [see page 52 for details]. The USRA Board and national staff have taken a long, hard look at the program and come up with the first in a series of initiatives that will make it easier for undergraduates to maintain racquetball as an important part of their busy schedules.

And that's just the beginning. We expect the 30th anniversary year of the sport to be very, very BIG ... with RACQUETBALL magazine right there in the forefront to bring it to you – from all the angles. Well, from between tournaments, that is — this girl has got to get some court time ...


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