CHANGING TIMES
by Luke St. Onge
In my most recent columns I have shared major efforts by the
industry Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, IHRSA, and
the USRA to achieve the goals outlined in the 1995 Industry
Summit. This unified effort to re-establish our sport as an integral
part of the fitness industry has gained acceptance and greater
visibility through the IHRSA Awards, Programming Workbook, Programming
Certification, and AmPRO. Racquetball has taken an aggressive position
to show club owners, not only that it is possible, but how to generate
$70,000 per court per year with limited investment and manpower
as opposed to utilizing the same square footage for other
fitness disciplines.
Another 1995 initiative was to create a major event that would unify
the sport and increase television exposure for racquetball. As we
prepare to host the 4th
annual Promus U.S. OPEN, its clear that this event has
positioned racquetball into a major sport arena. But it hasnt
been easy ... the greatest accomplishment was reaching agreement by
the industry on these major goals.
This summer we will celebrate the inclusion of racquetball as a full
medal sport in the Pan American Games, which are second only to the
Olympic Games in worldwide recognition and importance. The
International Olympic Committee has had its problems of late, but the
Olympic Games and all that they stand for are not going
to be diminished. As the qualifying event for over 15 sports which
will be showcased in Sydney, the Pan American Games have gained a
tremendous amount of stature.
The visibility that racquetball will receive from the Pan Ams cannot
be understated. The IRF qualified eleven teams at the Pan Am Trials in
Winnipeg last year and the Olympic Committees of each of those
countries has committed to sending their racquetball athletes to the
Pan Ams. The Winnipeg Organizing Committee has identified racquetball
as one of its key sports and is supporting it both financially and
logistically by underwriting the use of the portable court as the
focal point of the racquetball competition. There will be seating for
over 800 spectators and the racquetball venue is expected to be sold
out throughout the competition.
What does this mean for the sport? Racquetball will be showcased to
the world. Over 2000 journalists from 150 countries will be in
Winnipeg to cover the games. Racquetball will have a chance to exhibit
its athletism, excitement, and professionalism. Our sport will have
its day in the sun. Come join us.
For more information on the Pan
Am Games, call the Pan Am ticket & reservations hotline at
204-985-1999. |