Nomination & Recognition Timeline
How to Submit a Nomination

• Hall of Fame [career athletes & contributors]
• John Halverson Fair Play Award [career achievement]
• Joe Sobek Outstanding Contributor Award [current calendar year]
• Presidential Award [current calendar year]
• USOC/USRA Male & Female Athletes of the Year [calendar year]
• Peggy Steding Award (Female Age Group) [calendar year]
• Bud Muehleisen Award (Male Age Group) [calendar year]
• Junior Male & Female Athletes of the Year [preceding 12-months]

The Racquetball Hall of Fame is maintained to recognize and honor those athletes and contributors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement as players or in the development, leadership, and advancement of the sport. The award is based upon years of consistent excellence in one or more of the following areas:

• Competitor -- The person must have influenced other competitors with his or her performance through any or all of the following: high performance standards; sportsmanship and fair play; competitive techniques; persistent and inspirational leadership.
• Contributor -- The person must have made a significant and noteworthy contribution, which has left a lasting, positive effect on the advancement of the sport. The person's efforts should have been devoted to the sport and organization, not for personal or financial gain or for self-aggrandizement.

A separate document, outlining specific selection criteria and procedural guidelines is available, on request.

The Joe Sobek Outstanding Contributor Award is for athletes, coaches, officials and administrators who have demonstrated, over the course of the preceding year, an outstanding commitment to the sport of racquetball. That commitment may include special development projects, fundraising, successful administrative ventures at the state level, or exceptional program achievements in coaching, instruction or refereeing. [List of Winners]

The annual Presidential Award is open to state presidents of recognized USRA state affiliate organizations who have exhibited outstanding organizational performances in the preceding year, including the areas of membership growth, tournament administration and reporting, special development projects, fundraising, publication projects or other exceptional program achievements. [List of Winners]

The John Halverson Fair Play Award is for athletes, coaches, officials and organizations exhibiting noteworthy performances in the categories detailed following. Act of Fair Play: For an exceptional gesture of fair play carried out during the year by an athlete, a team member, or the spectating public. Career: For a sports career which has consistently shown a spirit of fair play and has been extended into commendable activities at the service of the sport or society. Promotion of Fair Play: For the fruitful and lasting endeavors of an athlete, leader, instructor, or organization to promote fair play. [List of Winners]

The USRA names several athletes of the year, using a variety of nomination and selection procedures. The USRA Board of Directors reviews outstanding performances by athletes in specific categories, and recognizes those achievements at its annual banquet, held in conjunction with the National Singles Championships each May. [List of Winners]

• USOC/USRA Male & Female Athletes of the Year: Two elite-level athletes (one male, one female) are selected on the basis of a calendar year performance record to represent the sport as the U.S. Olympic Committee’s designated “athletes of the year” for racquetball. These same athletes are later recognized as the USRA Athletes of the Year at the annual awards banquet. Selected by the USRA Board of Directors, following the close of the year’s events [December 1].
• Peggy Steding Award (Female Age Group Athlete of the Year): An outstanding female athlete, age 35 and over, is chosen on the basis of a calendar year performance record. Nominations are due by December 1, followed by ballot & board vote.
• Bud Muehleisen Award (Male Age Group Athlete of the Year): An outstanding male athlete, age 35 and over, is chosen on the basis of a calendar year performance record. Nominations are due by December 1, followed by ballot & board vote.
• USRA Junior Athletes of the Year: Two elite-level junior athletes (one male, one female) are selected on the basis of a 12-month performance record, between Junior Olympic National Championships held each June. Selections and voting are conducted by the USRA Junior Council, with results announced at the annual banquet held in conjunction with the Junior Olympic event.

Nominations for any of the available USRA annual achievement awards must include the full name and current contact information (address, telephone) of both the person making the nomination, as well as the individual being nominated. Using the stated criteria for each award as a guideline, a written narrative description of those circumstances under which the recognition is to be considered must accompany the nomination. Additional supporting information (press clippings, photos, testimonies, reports on matches, etc.) may also be submitted.

Please submit completed nominations to Linda Mojer, Associate Executive Director, USRA, 1685 West Uintah, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904-2906. 719/635-5396, ext 127.

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