March - April 2000 | Vol. 11, No. 2

2000 Board Election Platforms

Garry Carter
Otto Dietrich
Van Dubolsky
Annie Muniz
Raul "Rudy" Reyna
Jan Stelma
Frank Taddonio
  • Board of Directors Election Policies & Procedures
  • 2000 Board of Directors Ballot Instructions
    • There are seven (7) candidates for three (3) vacancies on the USRA Board of Directors.
    • Biographical and other candidate information is published below and in the March/April 2000 issue of RACQUETBALL.
    • An official ballot is provided to all eligible voters via the March/April 2000 issue of RACQUETBALL, along with complete ballot instructions.
Garry Carter

Garry Carter — Napa, California
The defining moment in any competition is the crowning of an undisputed champion. However, very few of us can compete with the Sudsy’s or the Cliff’s. To encourage competition and participation for every member and for the development of racquetball as a lifetime sport, the USRA introduced national skill level and age competition. Great Idea! But for skill level competition to survive and fulfill its purpose, there needs to be a way of validating a competitor’s skill level. Despite what most of us have been lead to believe, we don’t have skill level verification. Neither do we have anyone to champion this cause. I’ve looked.

With your support and votes, I will champion this cause while being active in other areas that keep our sport healthy and alive, like AmPRO. Your vote for Garry Carter is a way of telling the USRA that you want to keep skill level competition but that you want it fair and verifiable. We run the risk of losing meaningful skill level competition if effective verification is not implemented soon. Please give skill level competition and me your support. To learn more, go to http://cara.sunset.net/skill_level.htm or email me at Crater1@aol.com

Otto Dietrich

Otto Dietrich — Lilburn, Georgia
Known mostly for my proclivity for refereeing and public address announcing, I maintain a regular Internet presence in the racquetball newsgroup! Less well known is that over the past 12 years, I’ve served three, three-year terms on the USRA Board of Directors and, in 1998, was selected by my fellow directors to be the USRA President!

Being re-elected to the Board would allow me to continue as a representative of the average USRA member—unencumbered by a “sponsorship” commitment, with the wisdom of experience and the degree of independence vital to keeping the USRA on a steady course.

Admittedly, I’m not a “political-type”, so I won’t bore you with empty promises. In fact, the only reason I ever ran for election back in 1988 was so I could become the National Rules Commissioner—a position I held for an unprecedented ten consecutive years! During those years, my interest in the multitude of other Board responsibilities has steadily increased.

As you cast your vote, please remember that the board needs people who are willing to work tirelessly without compensation. My experience demonstrates that I’m that kind of person and will work for the betterment of the USRA and racquetball! Vote Otto!

Van Dubolsky

Van Dubolsky — Gainesville, Florida
For over 20 years it has been my honor to serve and represent the sport at many different levels – and I would like to bring that experience back to the USRA Board of Directors – with your support. I have been a competitive player since 1967; on the Florida Racquetball Association board (as treasurer and/or president) since 1978; and the southeastern regional director [1978-1992]. I was appointed to the national board in 1982, followed by election wins in 1983, 1987 and 1993, and serving two terms as the Board President. During this period I was also the U.S. delegate to the IRF, the U.S. representative to the USOC House of Delegates, plus was chosen as the U.S. Team Leader for the 1995 Pan American Games.

I have been a national tournament director and floor manager for USRA and IRF events since 1983, and have recently been nominated to the USRA Hall of Fame. Obviously, racquetball and the USRA have played a major role in my life. Other than my family, the sport is more important to me than anything else and I am proud to have played a role in its evolution. I hope that you will allow me the opportunity to continue to serve everyone who shares racquetball as a primary interest!

Annie Muniz

Annie Muniz — Bellaire, Texas
Over the past three years I have had the opportunity to serve on the USRA Board (the last two as Treasurer). I am thankful for the experience and the opportunity to be involved and in a great Association. We have made many positive changes that have enhanced the Association. During this time we have upgraded all the national events and most importantly we have balanced our budget to secure the future of the USRA.

I believe the USRA is headed in the right direction with the support of not only its members but also an active Board. I have learned over the past three years, it is important to have a Board that is willing to listen to its membership and fully participate in all USRA functions. We need a Board that will look out for the interest of its members and also support the USRA staff. I am committed to you, the members, and to the USRA staff. I take my responsibilities seriously and am an active Board participant. I would like to serve another three years to continue fulfilling the vision we all have for racquetball.

Rudy Reyna

Raul (Rudy) Reyna — San Antonio, Texas
For many years I have been (and continue to be) an advocate for racquetball in many different parts of the U.S. As a member of the USRA Board, I would bring the type of corporate experience that would help us continue to grow the sport. I have served and continue to serve on local and national boards in other fields and I have a good understanding of what is required in dealing with Board matters. I still play racquetball and compete in tournaments. Last year I attended some general USRA meetings at the U. S. Open and later helped bring together USRA staff with University of Memphis staff to develop a very successful public relations project. Additionally, working for a large corporation for 26 years has provided me with insight that will help in dealing with the business world on behalf of the USRA. I have contacts throughout corporate America that should come in handy in the future. I am also working with schools in San Antonio to see where we can set up some racquetball programs for our inner-city youth. This is one of the keys to the future of our sport. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help grow racquetball.

Jan Stelma

Jan Stelma — New Bern, North Carolina
After being President of the North Carolina Racquetball Association for over two years, and serving on the Board prior to that, I feel I have amassed some experience at the front lines that could help at the National level. Also, being a club owner, I can share in multi-perspectives on different issues. Our state treasury has gone from being a deficit budget to over $6000.00 positive. We are promoting USRA memberships within our state by using creative incentive programs. I am very interested in promoting players of all levels, not just tournament players. I also would like to help establish some national funding and help our USRA become fiscally strong. It is important for Board members to be responsible to the members and the sport. I think I can bring to the table a deep sense of wanting our sport to grow, our organization to grow, and listening to the issues of our membership.

Frank Taddonio

Frank Taddonio — Gilbert, Arizona
I strongly desire to be a member of the USRA Board of Directors because the sport of racquetball is at an extremely important point in its history. I believe I can be instrumental in fostering initiatives and working on existing projects to sustain and improve our sport. I have been playing for over twenty years, continuously striving to keep pace with developments in the sport. As a military officer, I have been assigned across the USA and around the globe and always did my best to be an ambassador for racquetball. Thanks to my military assignments, I have witnessed and participated in a multitude of programs in California, Washington and Virginia. Noteworthy was my membership on the Virginia State Board as the rules commissioner and I continue to work on various committees for the Arizona State Board. I also compete in local, state, regional, and national level tournaments. I am an Ektelon-sponsored player and work as a club professional at an Arizona facility. I am also AmPro certified and certified as a Level II referee. As a Board member, I’ll be in a position to help with future developments of our sport at all levels. If I am elected to the Board, I will work diligently to improve as many aspects of our sport as possible.


Top | Table of Contents | Racquetball Online | USRA
© United States Racquetball Association
All Rights Reserved