If this weren't enough, he's also assisted many professional and nonprofessional tournament players, and headed up key supporting Racquetball vendors - RichCraft, Head and Ektelon to name a few. And I'm sure I am forgetting many other things he has done! Today he is again Ektelon's number one man for Racquet Sports. In addition to all this, Scott has hosted the Ektelon Nationals in Houston, as well as sponsored many other tournaments, for several years. With all of this under his belt, it is obvious that Scott may be in danger of becoming an icon in the sport! No one will dispute that there is certainly no one better suited or more deserving than he for the bestowing of any and all accolades. Not only is Scott talented and possessing an in-depth racquetball background, but for all who have met with or spent any time with Scott he is soft spoken, easy going and extremely likeable! Thus, Ektelon's home office is once again in very capable hands.

Another key addition to Ektelon has been the selection of Andy Roberts as Ektelon's Promotions Manager, a position held formerly by none other than Dave Peck. A married man, now with children, Andy had for many years provided the entire racquetball community with nothing shy of awesome racquetball moments. Few professional players have won so many events, delighted crowds, and literally paved the way for today's elite players like Cliff Swain and Sudsy Monchik. Much like the phenomenal Ruben Gonzalez, Andy figured out ways to win over and over again making him one of the winning-est professional players of all time. Further, many agree that, in his prime, he would have beaten both Swain and Monchik. It is obvious that Andy did not receive his nickname 'The Legend' for nothing. As a professional player, few could match him.

Andy is both a well-respected and well-liked individual. When I spoke to him in Albuquerque recently he was easy to talk to, compassionate about the game, and very relaxed. Of course he was beating everyone in sight and while there added yet another title to his list of prestigious wins by becoming the World Seniors 35+ Open Division Champion! Andy is a caring person too. This was most apparent when, although surrounded by and talking with many world-class players in the tournament, he showed particular interest in the well being of another former great, Ed Andrews, the only player ever to win four (4) Amateur National Championships! Ed was not able to participate in the Albuquerque tournament for personal reasons. Andy is definitely unique in that he knows just about everything about racquetball, has held the top spot as a professional player, knows anyone who's anyone throughout the entire Racquetball Community, and loves the sport and all it has to offer. There could not be a better choice for a leadership role with Ektelon as the Promotions Manager, or anything else for that matter, than Andy Roberts. There are none better! Expect to see more positive things out of Andy. We wish him the very best in his new role with Ektelon! 

As a premier racquetball company Ektelon is moving forward with their appointments of both Scott Winters and Andy Roberts. But in addition to these two key additions at the Ektelon headquarters, the company continues to be a staunch promoter of many racquetball programs and a sports icon with tournament sponsorships. Like all who are associated with the sport, Ektelon representatives go out of their way to promote Juniors Programs throughout the country. 

In this regard, there are too many to mention. But in Southern California there is no one who seems to excite our young players more than Mickey Bellah, Program Director at the elite Spectrum Athletic Club in Fullerton, California. Mickey is the Regional Representative for Ektelon in Los Angeles. A player for over thirty years with too many tournament wins under his belt to mention, Mickey is a long time administrator and ambassador of racquetball. Today he has put together a juniors program that motivates youngsters and has them coming back every week, week after week, month after month!

The 'Juniors', some 25 children ranging in ages from four to eleven, meet once a week for one hour for four weeks. Ektelon provides both racquets and eye guards. There is a substantial amount of time each week devoted by Mickey and his 'Team' to prepare, organize and put on the program. But everyone unselfishly devotes their time and efforts to the program, the children and racquetball. This accents the kind of dedicated people Ektelon has in the field promoting the sport and making sure our young people are provided the chance to learn how to play Racquetball correctly and safely.

The program has been so successful that recently Mickey has had to put a limit of the number of players attending o twenty-five! When one considers how many courts The Fullerton Spectrum Club has, as well as the many Ektelon players there are in Southern California who help Mickey put on the juniors program, that's amazing! It's especially surprising given the general feeling by many veteran players throughout the racquetball community about seeing no new young players entering the game today. If Mickey Bellah has anything to say about it there will be many new young players in Southern California. And if Scott Winters and Ektelon have anything to do with it you can bet there'll be many more throughout the country!

Mickey recruits several outstanding and devoted Ektelon sponsored players and instructors to help him with his Juniors Program. As an example, one such player is Dave Geneve. Dave has not only managed to excel in indoor racquetball, but is one of the elite outdoor players in the world today as well. With the one exception of the great Brian Hawkes, an undisputed champion who has won both indoor professional tournaments as well as an unprecedented seventeen outdoor national titles, Dave is probably one of the best indoor and outdoor players to provide the 'Juniors' with exceptional instruction. Few open players in Southern California or elsewhere for that matter possess both indoor and outdoor skills at this level! This is the caliber of players that Mickey recruits to partake in his juniors program. Dave is a married man with children now, and like the rest of those who help Mickey with the program, is dedicated to not only the program and what it can do, but specifically to the youngsters. Like the others he feels that they are the future of racquetball. Of course he's right! In addition to Dave Geneve, others who help Mickey in the juniors program are Karl McCracken, and Rob Blanton to name a few.

While clubs throughout the country have decreased the number of courts in their facilities, there remain 22 racquetball courts at the Spectrum Athletic Club in Fullerton. As many as ten courts are reserved for juniors to participate in 'Mickey's Juniors Program'. On every court youngsters receive focused attention by Ektelon representatives at learning the basics of the game. They are also provided on-going instruction on the fundamentals of playing techniques, shot-making and serving. Ektelon representatives emphasize 'Safety First' and make sure their younger counterparts understand that Racquetball is a game that is fun and enjoyable. As a result of Mickey's and his staff's efforts there will be many new younger players stepping up to play tournaments and participating in Racquetball as a sport for years to come. 

As we all know, the sport needs more young players to join its ranks. It goes without saying that it is from active and aggressive junior programs, and similar grassroots programs where young players will emerge. But in a larger sense - and probably more importantly - it is through the dedicated and unselfish efforts of Ektelon representatives in the field like Mickey Bellah, Dave Geneve and the many like them that racquetball will continue to grow as a sport.

As a forerunner in the promotion of the sport of racquetball for many years, Ektelon also provides amateur and pro player support throughout the industry. As a company firm in their beliefs that players are the most important element in the game today, Ektelon goes out of its way to continually strive to improve its products, nationwide programs and tournament support. As a company that has shown it is not afraid to change in order to remain the forerunner in the industry, Ektelon continues to 'pave the way' for others. At the helm is Scott Winters, a recognized leader in the Racquetball industry. Supporting him is Andy Roberts, a former legend in the pro ranks. Then there is Mickey Bellah, Dave Geneve and the many, many others like them out in the field throughout the country. With this kind of experience we can only expect to see Good Things Happenin' With Ektelon!