2003 Ektelon USRA 36th
National Singles Championships
Downtown Houston YMCA: Houston, Texas
Memorial Day Weekend, May 21-26

preview | releases | sidelines |  drawsheets | finals & finishers

Media Guide
Event History
Recordbook

NEW FOR PLAYERS ! Get your STARTING TIMES ONLINE*

*"The Met" refers to a second venue, adjacent to the Hyatt, in the Allen Center. If your first match is scheduled there, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to register at the YMCA prior to heading over!

MEDIA ADVISORY! ... Contact the U.S. Racquetball Association Media/Public Relations Department for more details. Pre-event, call: 719-635-5396, ext. 126 -- After opening rounds, call: 713-659-8501 (media only). 

FAN ADVISORY! ... Links to online drawsheets (when activated) will be updated approximately 2-3 times daily -- *not* following each round, in each division. Please be aware that -- if you are following the advance of a given individual (whose marathon, or delayed, match may still be in progress when an update is made) -- results may not appear immediately following a scheduled match time ... or might not appear until the next day, particularly with later evening matches.

Please NOTE: The event runs Wednesday through MONDAY ... Division finals will take place on Monday (with the exception of the OPEN Team Qualifying divisions, scheduled for Sunday). If you expect to reach the finals -- be sure to plan your return flight for Memorial Day ... MONDAY, May 26!

! New ! Download the first issue of the "Newsline" event newsletter ... This player guide edition will give you all the details about what to expect for the week! [ .pdf newsletter ] 

player information
What's in Store
Opening Rounds
Travel & Lodging
Qualifiers & Certifications
Seeding at National Events

opening rounds

Wednesday ... VIP RECEPTION — Hyatt Regency. An invitation-only reception to honor individuals who have won a National title within the past year.

Thursday ... INDUSTRY FEAR FACTOR — Hyatt Regency. Enjoy a fun-filled night of games, dancing, non-gross munchies and drinks ... sponsored by the USRA and industry leaders. 

Friday ... CASH WHIRLWIND — Hyatt Regency. Each player will receive a small “bank” to spend on Craps, Blackjack, Roulette and the One-armed Bandits! At the close of the evening, you’ll be able to bid on a selection of grand prizes. Sponsored by Penn. Also ... an IRT & LPRA Reception (invitation only) will be hosted on Friday evening, in the Hyatt’s Window Box.

Saturday ... RED, WHITE & BLUE GALA — The Hyatt Grand Ballroom will host a patriotic celebration, featuring entertainment and awards to recognize Hall of Famers, Athletes of the Year, and other honorees. Coctail attire please ... no athletic wear will be permitted! 

Sunday ... OPEN FINALS ... Keep your afternoon and early evening free to watch the Pan American Games Qualifier at the YMCA! Men’s and Women’s Open inners will be appointed to the U.S. Team squad that will compete at the Pan American Games in August. Later on, try 'Singing in Houston' — with your best KARAOKE tunes at the Hyatt’s Window Box.

Monday ... All remaining division FINALS will be played throughout the day (except the U.S. Team Qualifying OPEN divisions, played on Sunday). 

And all week long ... Enjoy downtown nightlife, at over 100 restaurants and nightclubs — all in walking distance of the Hyatt. 

Regionals: All players must have competed – in any division – at a recognized Regional Qualifier to be eligible to compete in “The Finals”. Any legitimate waivers of qualifying competition must have been directed to – and approved by – the USRA Headquarters prior to the scheduled regional weekend. Individual regional tournament directors may not approve exclusions from play, for any reason. 

Skill Division Certification: Skill level entrants (to A, B, C, D divisions) must • be AmPRO certified at that level, OR • have played in the same division at the mandatory regional qualifier, OR • be approved by the state director or representative as being legitimately competitive in the entered skill division at the national level. Tournament directors will use these benchmarks to determine eligibility for skill competition, and reserve the right to re-classify or disqualify players when/if they are improperly placed. NOTE: Players in Age+Skill must meet the same criteria for corresponding skill levels in “Age+A/B” & “Age+C/D” divisions. 

Eligibility: To be eligible to compete in any USRA sanctioned event, a player may not have earned in excess of $50,000 in cumulative, total prize monies per season [as of August 1, annually], as a direct result of competing in any professional tournament(s) so deemed by the USRA Board of Directors.

Ground Transportation: Bus, shuttle, taxi and limousine services are available from both Houston airports (you must make your own arrangements on arrival). Pricing varies by airport and service (between $15.00 - $40.00). Hertz is the event’s offical car rental sponsor — make your reservations by calling 800-654-2240 and referencing meeting #02RD 0002 for your special rate. 

Lodging: Hyatt Regency Houston, 1200 Louisiana (1 block from YMCA). Rate: $84.00 per night for up to four guests per room. For reservations, call 713/654-1234 and mention National Singles.