May - June 1999
| Vol. 10, No. 3

Luke St. Onge

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, it’s clear that this event has positioned racquetball into a major sport arena. But it hasn’t 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.

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