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

Scholarship Winners

Scholarship Program
Previous Winners

Erin BranniganErin Brannigan (Sandpoint, Idaho/University of Southern Colorado)
When Erin Brannigan was 14 years old he attended the Junior Elite Racquetball camp at the Olympic Training Center. He’s not sure if it was the atmosphere of the Olympic Training Center or the coaches who were speaking to him about commitment and dedication to sport, or maybe a combination of both, but Erin left the camp transformed. The changes not only affected his approach to racquetball, but also his schoolwork, family and friends.

Erin is now an English major at the University of Southern Colorado, where he aided the university’s racquetball team in capturing the 1999 World Intercollegiate Team title by winning the men’s #2 singles and doubles titles. The former national high school champion is now developing into one of the top racquetball players in Colorado and the U.S., and continues to give back to the sport he loves by interning with Racquetball magazine this term.

John ColeJohn Cole (Hinesville, Georgia/Georgia Tech)
John Cole lived in Korea as a youngster, where he played as his father’s doubles partner, but was isolated from the top racquetball players in the world, and had little excitement for the game. That all changed one day when 13-year-old John happened upon a player practicing on the rundown courts where he and his father played. It was the first time he had seen anyone hit a splat shot and he was amazed by the beauty and power of the shots. He eventually gained the courage to ask the player to teach him those very same shots, and he has continued to progress as a ever player since.

John and his family have been in the United States for over five years, during which time he graduated as valedictorian of Liberty County High School. He is now attending Georgia Tech majoring in chemical engineering and seeking a minor in material science and engineering. Although he was in an intensive academic program in high school, John managed to find time to volunteer at the local YMCA and Youth Services (military), teaching racquetball to the children in Liberty County and Fort Stewart.

Scott FisherScott Fisher (West Babylon, New York/University of Delaware)
University of Delaware freshman Scott Fisher remembers when he was six years old and would roll out of bed early Saturday mornings to head to the racquetball club with his parents. His parents’ devotion to the game quickly transferred to their son, and Scott became hooked. But back then you had to pay for court time — something that would quickly deplete a six-year-old’s piggy bank — so Scott spent many hours hitting on a dark court until some older players began to invite him out to play. He emerged from the dark to start besting adults in the club and competing in tournaments.

While at West Babylon High School, Scott captured three junior regional titles and three junior state titles. His athletic achievements were not limited to racquetball, as he was named the MVP of the golf and cross-country team, as well. Scott has also excelled academically, graduating in the top-10 of his senior class, and winning numerous academic awards, including the N.Y. State Science Supervisors’ Association Biology and Advanced Placement Chemistry Awards, President’s Award for Educational Excellence and West Babylon High School Top-Ten Scholars Award. Scott is now pursuing a biology degree at the University of Delaware.

Sadie Gross HallSadie [Gross] Hall (Memphis, Tennessee/University of Memphis)
Sadie Gross-Hall has managed to find a perfect balance in her life. As a child she competed in numerous junior racquetball tournaments, winning six world junior titles, six junior national titles and three Canadian junior titles. After graduating from Yankton Senior High School in South Dakota, Sadie moved to Memphis where she could focus on not only academics, but also on racquetball under the guidance of one of the best collegiate racquetball coaches in the nation — Larry Liles at the University of Memphis.

At Memphis, Sadie excelled on the court and in the classroom, graduating Magna Cum Laude in only three-and-half years with a degree in business administration, and capturing four medals at World Intercollegiate Championships. Sadie, who was married last summer, opted to continue her education by returning to the University of Memphis to receive her Masters in business administration with emphasis in accounting. She interned with top-accounting firm Deloitte and Touche, with whom she enjoyed working so much she accepted a position with the company following graduation, saying that it is flexible with her schedule so that she can continue with her racquetball career.

Seth TaylorSeth Taylor (Shelbyville, Indiana/ Franklin College, Franklin, Ind.)
When 18-year-old Seth Taylor decided which college to go to, he didn’t choose one because he’s a fan of the football team or because all his friends were going there. He chose Franklin College because he thought it would better suit himself and his studies with its small classrooms and tight-knit community. A pretty mature decision for a young man.

But extra-curricular activities did factor into his decision, and Seth participates in racquetball, tennis and show choir at Franklin this year, three things in which he was extremely involved during high school – where he was named the MVP of the boys’ tennis team, in addition to being named the show choir’s performer of the year twice. And although his school did not have a racquetball team, Seth practiced with his two siblings under the direction of his parents, and went on to capture two junior national titles in 14-and-under mixed doubles — in 1995 with Lindsay Sears and 1996 with Krystal Csuk. Seth and Krystal also took a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in 1996.


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