Sports like tennis and golf have flourished for years with the support of major corporate sponsors and the executives who manage them ... 

At right (L-R): Schultz and Andy Roberts, in 1996. Photo by Vicki Hughes

Since so many senior level corporate executives personally play tennis and/or golf, they’re often willing to listen to promoters who pitch opportunities to sponsor events in their favorite sports. But outside that comfort zone – even though sports marketing has become a proven way for corporations to win over loyal customers – the number and variety of sport “properties” can be overwhelming.

So despite the fact that racquetball is enjoyed by millions, we’ve been unable to solicit and attract major corporate support. For whatever reason, we have not found those senior level executives who enjoy the game themselves and can recognize the clear benefits of involvement. One notable exception to this unfortunate rule is a very special man from Memphis, Tennessee named Raymond E. Schultz.  

Ray, as his friends call him, has been quietly supporting racquetball from behind the scenes for over 15 years and has made it clear, on more than one occasion, that he does not want to be publicly recognized. For the most part, we’ve honored that wish, but after his most recent heroic feat of “saving” the U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships from postponement in 2002, I decided that enough was enough. It was time to introduce Raymond E. Schultz!

So who is Ray Schultz and what has he done for the sport? Well let’s start with the first half of that question. Ray Schultz is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Promus Hotel Corporation, one of the world’s premier lodging companies, with well known brands such as Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites, and Doubletree Hotels. He is also a man who has enjoyed a year love affair with the sport of racquetball for over 25 years. He is a self-proclaimed “addict” and even now, at the age of 68, tries to play two to three times per week.

Ray Schultz graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Labor Management Relations and successfully completed the ROTC Air Force pilot training program. He then flew jets for five years before taking a corporate job with IBM, where he developed the world’s first computerized reservation system for Holiday Inn and later took a management post with the Holiday Inn Corporation. During his 14 years there, he led key functions in the areas of hotel development, franchising, technology, and marketing. In 1969 Holiday Inn purchased Harrah’s Entertainment and became the Promus Companies.

In 1983 he introduced the country to a new lodging concept – Hampton Inns. Now one of the worlds most recognized hotels brands, Hampton Inns has become one of the crown jewels of Ray Schultz’ stellar business career. In 1989 he introduced the first unconditional service guarantee in the lodging industry and then in 1995, after a Promus Companies spin-off reorganization, he became the first CEO of Promus Hotel Corporation. Under Ray Schultz’s leadership Promus Hotel Corporation flourished to over 1,300 hotels and 200,000 rooms. In 1998 Ray Schultz retired and in addition to serving on several corporate and non-profit boards he now enjoys duck hunting, fly fishing, golf, and of course, racquetball!

Ray’s love for the sport started back in the mid 60’s during his years with IBM. Back then he would get together with some of his corporate cohorts for weekly spirited competition and a good workout. He later became more proficient at the game (reaching the Men’s B skill level) with a special knack for playing doubles. Many of his regular playing partners from 15 years ago are still going at it today including racquetball friends like Larry Liles, Phil McNeil, Al Brown, Joe Mirable, Greg Meadows, Bill Vaughn, Olin Atkins, Bill Douglas, and Larry Karbain. These days the group gets together at Chickasaw Country Club in Memphis for weekly doubles play.

Ray formed a friendship with Memphis’ own Andy Roberts and became one of Andy’s biggest fans, following his career closely as he rose up through the amateur and professional ranks. Andy also took the time to work with Ray on the courts, helping him to become a better player. The two have teamed up (in some freakish luck of the draw!) for five of the last six years in the Pro-Am Doubles for St. Jude fundraiser to kick off each year’s U.S. OPEN. They remain close friends today.

On July 2, Ray and his wife Erin celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. They have three children (Greg, Rick, and Elizabeth) and three grandchildren (Karl-13, Karin-10, and Larkin-3). Those who know Ray best describe him as a devoted family man with a heart as big as Montana (Big Sky is where he and his wife spend their summers!). The people that worked for him at Promus Hotel Corporation revered him as a compassionate and inspirational leader.

Ray’s habit of giving back to the sport began over 17 years ago when he annually donated to the University of Memphis racquetball team. After Hampton Inn was up and running as a major national brand, Ray would often get the team free rooms to use while traveling to tournaments throughout the country. In 1987 Schultz stepped forward to become the title sponsor of the Hampton Inn Pro-Am, a major men’s professional event on the IRT’s annual circuit. The event was considered by many as one of the season’s premier tourneys and Ray Schultz made sure the tournament had the financial support it needed for nine full years. 

Then, in 1996, the USRA approached Ray Schultz with the news that the U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships was going to be coming to Memphis and that it would be the sports first ever “Grand Slam” event. We asked Ray if he would mind shifting the date of the Hampton Inn Pro-Am so that both tournaments could be held in Memphis without conflict. He immediately announced that he wanted to receive a complete sponsorship package for title sponsorship of the U.S. OPEN and that his inclination was to take the Hampton Inn Pro-Am and turn it into the Promus Hotel Corporation U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships. Of course, that is exactly what happened and now the U.S. OPEN has grown into the largest and most prestigious racquetball event in the world

Although Ray Schultz has been the single largest supporter the sport has ever had (nearly $1 million in financial support over the last 15 years) his story of support does not end there. In 1998 Hilton Hotel Corporation purchased Promus Hotel Corporation and Ray Schultz retired. Hilton supported the existing contract with the USRA for the U.S. OPEN and then in 2001 announced that they would not be renewing. In January of 2002 I went to Ray Schultz to explain our dire situation and that if a new title sponsor was not found very quickly the event would have to be canceled. We brainstormed some ideas for potential new sponsors including a possible presentation to Choice Hotels International, one of the largest hotel companies in the world. Ray Schultz knew many of the senior executives at Choice and made a couple of phone calls to get us a presentation meeting. Within 90 days, a three-year agreement was signed for the Choice Hotels U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships!

Ray Schultz remains a humble man who seeks no recognition for the incredible contributions he has made, and continues to make, to the sport he loves. However, I felt it was time for the racquetball community to learn a little bit about the man that has worked hard behind the scenes to make sure our sport has continued to move forward. If you attend this year’s Choice Hotels U.S. OPEN, look for Ray right behind the stadium court watching the pro’s battle it out for the title. He is not only a player, but an ardent and loyal fan. Ray Schultz is truly racquetball’s guardian angel!