McKinney, Adams & Wright
Click on photos to enlarge ...

... maybe is IS brain surgery, after all ... 
In the late 1970's and early 1980's Shannon Wright dominated women's racquetball. According to Racquet Magazine (1981), "Racquetball Champion Shannon Wright … revolutionized the game with her aggressive, hard-hitting style." During her 12-year career, she won over 35 professional tournaments, captured seven National Championships, and was the #1 ranked player on the WPRA tour for four years. Wilson Sporting Goods manufactured the "Shannon Wright Autograph" racquetball racquet. 

In 1977 the International Racquetball Association voted Shannon "Athlete of the Year" and in 1979 she was selected "Player of the Year" by Racquetball Illustrated Magazine. Shannon was a founding member of the Women's Professional Racquetball Association (WPRA), and in 1980 she authored "The Women's Book of Racquetball." In 1981 Shannon took third place in the televised ABC Superstar Competition in Key Biscayne, FL.

In 1982, after losing the National Professional Championship to Lynn Adams by a single point in a dramatic match that lasted well over three hours, Shannon decided to return to academics. In 1989, just weeks after completing a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Shannon made her final appearance in competitive racquetball at the National Championships in her hometown of Ft. Worth, Texas where she advanced to the semis.

In 1991 Shannon entered the Medical Scientist Training Program, a combined MD/PhD Program, at the University of Minnesota. After completing the first two years of Medical School, Shannon began work on a PhD in Neuroscience. In the Lab of Dr. Robert Elde, a world renown expert on peptidergic neurotransmission, Shannon's research focused on understanding how two different, yet highly homologous, opioid receptors traffic within cells. The opioid system is importantly involved in both pain and drug addiction (e.g. opiate pain medications, and drugs like heroin and opium).

Dr. Wright was awarded her PhD in December 2002, and is now in the process of completing the last two years of Medical School. After a residency in Internal Medicine, Shannon, her husband, Dr. Lloyd Nietling, and their two little miniature dachshunds plan to remain in Minnesota.

On June 1 the Racquetball Manufacturers Council announced the hire of Dave George, of San Bruno, California, as their Project Coordinator. In the newly created position (in addition to managing many exciting projects) Dave will act as a liaison between the racquetball community and the RMC.

Formed at the U.S. OPEN in 2000, under the umbrella of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), the RMC is a non-profit industry organization comprised of the leading racquetball manufacturers. The group’s objective is to increase the market through a joint effort of supporting programs that will bring new players to the sport as well as retain existing players.

Some RMC projects include: a national Court Club survey, a collection of current Court Club data; a new Racquetball Programmers' Book for use by owners, managers and pros to help grow the sport; an official RMC website (playracquetball.org); and by mobilizing certified AmPRO instructors and sponsored players throughout the country, to assist clubs and facilities with racquetball court programs.

Mr. George brings over 25 years of racquetball related experience to his new position. Currently the Racquetball Director at Fitness West SportsClubs in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dave is also an AmPRO Clinician, active player, coach and long time club manager and pro. Dave's background and experience includes earning a B.A. in Physical Education, coaching at the intercollegiate level, being a former California AARA State President, earning his USPTA (Tennis), teaching Certificate; and, is a lifetime member of AmPRO and the USRA.

Dave states: "My ambitions and the RMC's mission statement are the same: 'Dedicated to growing the sport of racquetball'! I look forward to filling this position to the best of my ability. I cherish the opportunity to be in such a great position to really make a difference. It is exciting to see a real Racquetball Renaissance emerging."

Dave is happily married to Vera Lynn George, with two grown children (Darren and Kim), two growing grandchildren, (D. J. and Ryan), and two cats (Tommy and Friday). Dave can be reached by mail at: 2526 Sherwood Drive, San Bruno, California, 94066. Email: dave@DaveAtTheClub.com , or telephone: 1-888-559-0099.