1999 Promus Hotel Corporation
4th U.S. OPEN

The Racquet Club of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee: December 1-5

[Public Relations Student Society of America] PRSSA releases

MEDIA ADVISORY! ... Call 719/635-5396, ext. 126 (pre-event) for more details about this event from Christie Hyde, USRA Media/Public Relations Coordinator. For website questions or concerns, contact Linda Mojer, USRA Assoc. Executive Director/Communications & Editor/RACQUETBALL.

Lorraine Galloway to Compete in Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships
by Therese Pramick

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- Lorraine Galloway (Manhattan, N.Y.) will be in Memphis Wednesday, Dec. 1 through Sunday Dec. 5 for the fourth annual Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships presented by the U.S. Racquetball Association. The event will be held at The Racquet Club of Memphis.

Galloway has competed in all four of the previous Promus U.S. OPEN tourneys. She will be playing in both the women's amateur 35+ and professional divisions. Galloway has been competing in racquetball since she helped form a team at her alma mater, State University of New York-Binghamton. Incidentally, her first intercollegiate competition in 1984 was held at The Racquet Club of Memphis. In 1994, she became a full-time professional athlete and ended the season with a ranking of 14th. Since then, she has remained in the top 16, and reached a ranking of 8th during the 1997-98 season of the Women's International Racquetball Tournament (WIRT). After cutting back on her professional status this year, she is ranked 24th.

Racquetball has become a critical outlet in Galloway's life since she began to take it seriously. Her love for the friendly competition in the sport drove her to success and she was rewarded when she qualified to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. There she was able to meet outstanding coaches and play against some of the best athletes in the country. Some highlights of her career include defeating 8th-ranked professional Marcy Lynch in 1989. Lynch has remained one of her best friends and favorite competitors to this day. Many times the two women have played against each other in a fierce match. This past season Galloway placed first at the World Seniors Championships in Albuquerque, N.M.

A self-proclaimed social butterfly, Galloway is always volunteering to help out for various activities. She is on the judging committee of the International Health and Racquet Sports Association; she is a regional coordinator for her sponsor, Ektelon. She teaches youth racquetball at her local YMCA. Also, she is a clinician for the American Professional Racquetball Association, which is a prestigious level of instructor that allows her to teach and certify other professional athletes. Currently, she is the reception manger and racquetball director for Sunrise Health and Racquet Club in Massapequa, N.Y. She insists only on taking time off for the hour directly before a match, when she must be alone and listen to soothing music while visualizing shots and stretching.

Galloway is very supportive of the sport of racquetball. The competition is tough, but always friendly and professional. To her, the people and the travel are some of the best things about being involved with racquetball. She is grateful for being able to compete at such high levels and uses her competitive attitude to be stronger in everyday life.

Dave Kovanda to Compete in Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships
by Therese Pramick

Memphis, Tenn. - Dave Kovanda (Worthington, Ohio) will travel to Memphis, Tenn. to compete in the fourth annual Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships presented by the U.S. Racquetball Association. The event will be held at the Racquet Club of Memphis, beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 1 and continuing through Sunday, Dec. 5.

This accomplished athlete placed first in the 1990 U.S. National Singles Championships in the 40+ age division and second in the 35+ division. That same year he became the first-ever recipient of the male Age Group Athlete of the Year Award. For the past thirteen years, he and long-time racquetball partner, Ron Woolard, have made it to the semi-finals at the U.S. National Doubles Championships. In 1995, Kovanda was elected into the Ohio Racquetball Hall of Fame. At this year's Promus U.S. OPEN, he will compete in both the 45+ and 50+ men's singles divisions.

The Ohio State University graduate is associated with sports in many aspects of life. He is currently a brand manager for Hi-Tech Sports, a company specializing in adventure and outdoor boots. Kovanda has also had the privilege of assisting his son's baseball team, the Columbus Jaguars Baseball Club, reach the Little League World Series last year.

Though managing both family and athletic life has been challenging, Kovanda credits his dedication and love of competition for his success. To him, it is simply a matter of making the most out of each day and doing the best he can at whatever he does.

Canadian Professional to Play in U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships
by Kirsten Marks

MEMPHIS, TENN.-- Canadian racquetball professional Lori-Jane Powell (Prince Albert, SK) will begin play Thursday, Dec. 2 in the Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships. The event will be held in Memphis, Tennessee at The Racquet Club of Memphis for the fourth-consecutive year, beginning Wednesday and running through Sunday, Dec. 5. The U.S. Racquetball Association event is the sport's largest and most prestigious tournament.

Lori-Jane, or L.J. as her family and friends call her, is excited to compete at the U.S. OPEN. She will join the top players in the world who have returned to this year's Promus U.S. OPEN. Powell will be competing for a total prize money purse of more than $45,000, the largest on the Women's International Racquetball Tour (WIRT).

"I am proud to represent Canada at the U.S. OPEN, " says Powell. "I like to challenge myself against the best in the world and this tournament is the best and toughest tournament of the year."

Competition against the best is definitely wanted by Powell as her immediate goal is to make the Canadian National Team in both singles and doubles by early 2000. Her goal is not a long shot as she took the silver medal in women's doubles at this summer's Pan Am games, and was placed 10th in the WIRT Final Ranking.

Powell, inspired by her parents Keith and Hilda who play the sport, began playing racquetball at only 10 years of age. She is committed to both athletics and scholastics, as she graduated in 1995 with a Master of Science from the University of Saskatchewan.

Carson Seeded 10th in the Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships
by Kristen Marks

MEMPHIS, TENN. -- Rocky Carson (Santa Maria, CA) is seeded 10th at the Fourth annual Promus U.S. OPEN Championships beginning Dec. 1 and running through Dec. 5. The event is being held in Memphis, Tenn at The Racquet Club of Memphis where Carson will begin play today. The U.S. Racquetball Association event is the sport's largest and most prestigious tournament.

Carson, the youngest top 10 athlete on the tour, is considered by many to be the up-and-coming pro tour athlete. The twenty year old will join the top players in the world who have returned to this year's Promus U.S. OPEN. Carson will be competing for a total prize money purse of more than $45,000, the largest on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT).

"I feel that I am as strong as anybody competing, both mentally and physically," says Carson. "My only disadvantage is my lack of experience. I have only been on the pro tour for a year."

Being young and new to the tour hasn't stopped Carson so far, as his 1999 season has handed him many accomplishments. He was a semifinalist in the Piehler Motors Pro-Am in Rochester, N.Y., and was a quarterfinalist in both the Halloween Pro Classic in Chicago, Ill. and the New Mexico Pro-Am in Albuquerque, N.M. Carson hopes to finish better than his Round of 16 finish in last year's U.S. OPEN.

In his third year at Saddleback College, Carson began playing racquetball at three years old. His first and only coach is his dad, R.O. Carson.

"My dad owned health clubs when I was little, so I practically grew up in one," said Carson. "I had the choice of daycare or the court, and I opted for the court."

When not in school or on the court, Carson enjoys the beach, bodysurfing, and basketball.

BMOC ...
Big Man On Court
by Harriet Bradley

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Derek Robinson (Kennewick, Wash.) is an impressive 6 feet 4 inches, which probably makes him the tallest of the top professional racquetball players. Robinson's smile is as big as he is. He will be competing in the Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships presented by the U.S. Racquetball Association being held in Memphis, Tenn. at The Racquet Club of Memphis beginning Wednesday, Dec. 1 and running through Sunday, Dec. 5.

Robinson turned pro three years ago and was ranked #54 in the first year and rapidly moved up in rank to #5 He has a degree in communications from SW Missouri State University. He is married and his wife is expecting their first child in February.

"Grand Slam" Racquetball Tournament
by Leslie Grandberry

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Rob DeJesus (Phoenix, Ariz.) will be competing in the Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships presented by the U.S. Racquetball Association. This event will be held at The Racquetball Club of Memphis.

DeJesus is an U.S. citizen, however his family from Puerto Rico and he plays for the Puerto Rican National Team. He captured the bronze medal at this summer's Pan Am Games for Puerto Rico men's singles. DeJesus defeated world champion Sherman Greenfeld of Canada for the bronze.

DeJesus serves in the United States Air Force and plays racquetball at the International Racquetball tournaments representing the U.S. Armed Forces Team.

DeJesus is playing in both the men's pro and the men's open division. He has a great shot of winning the men's open division. The city of Memphis will host the U.S.OPEN Racquetball Championships, the sports largest and most prestigious tournament. The USRA event is racquetball's only "Grand Slam" tourney. The event runs Dec. 1-5 at three locations: The Racquet Club of Memphis (main location), Wimbleton Sportsplex and The University of Memphis.

Defending Champion Seeks Second Straight Promus U.S. OPEN Title
by Adam Badrian

Paraiso Looks to Continue Undefeated Streak ... Memphis, Tenn.- Jackie Paraiso (El Cajon, Ca.) will compete in the 1999 Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships presented by the U.S. Racquetball Association. For the fourth consecutive year, Memphis, Tenn., will host the Promus U.S. OPEN, racquetball's largest and most prestigious tournament. The event will be held at The Racquet Club of Memphis beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 1 and running through Sunday, Dec. 5.

Paraiso, along with the other competitors, will be competing for prizes totaling more than $45,000. The tournament will be nationally televised on ESPN2 and benefits will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Paraiso won last year's Promus U.S. Open and is ranked number one on the WIRT (Women's International Racquetball Tour) and is heavily favored to win this year's Promus U.S. Open.

Paraiso has an undefeated streak on the pro tour that dates back over a year. She was last defeated by Canadian world champion Christie Van Hees (Vancouver, B.C.). Paraiso also captured the gold medal at this summer's Pan Am Games in women's doubles.

Local Resident Competes at International Racquetball Tournament
by Adrian Badrian

Memphis, Tenn.- Michelle Lucas (Annandale, Va.) will compete in the 1999 Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships presented by the U.S. Racquetball Association. For the fourth consecutive year, Memphis, Tenn., will host the Promus U.S. OPEN, racquetball's largest and most prestigious tournament. The event will be held at The Racquet Club of Memphis beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 1 and running through Sunday, Dec. 5.

Lucas, along with the other competitors, will be competing for prizes totaling more than $45,000. The tournament will be nationally televised on ESPN2 and benefits will go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Lucas finished eighth last season on the Women's International Racquetball Tour last season. At the first pro stop of this year's WIRT season, the New Mexico Pro-Am in Albuquerque, N.M., she was a quarterfinalist.

Mike Locker to Compete in Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships
by Therese Pramick

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- Wednesday Dec. 1 through Sunday Dec. 5, the U.S. Racquetball Association will present the fourth annual Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships at The Racquet Club of Memphis. The city has been involved with the event since its inception in 1996, and so has Mike Locker (Duluth, Minn.). The first two years, Locker made it into the top 32, but he had higher goals for 1998. It was then that he defeated Memphis' hometown-hero Andy Roberts, who was ranked fourth. That was also about the time Locker decided he had what it took to play on the pro tour full time.

Locker has been involved with athletics since he was a child. His father owned fitness centers in New York and opened racquetball courts in Duluth. Not just limiting himself to racquetball, Locker enjoys tennis and softball as well. While attending Duluth East High School, he played hockey. After high school, he played with a junior hockey team in the area, the St. Paul Vulcans. His family is full of athletes with his younger brother playing Division II for River Falls, Wis.

It has been an impressive last couple of years for Locker. He has been the Minnesota State Amateur Champion in singles for the past ten years. In 1998, even after missing the first part of the season due to a broken jaw, he took his first year as a professional to 14th in the world and was also named Rookie of Year. Currently, Locker is ranked 10th in the world and nationally is ranked second in the amateur men's open division.

Locker is sponsored by racquet manufacturer Prokennex; Ashaway Strings; Courtesy Sports, an apparel catalog; Network Marketing, a national firm; and Paige Law firm, a local firm owned by a friend. He also holds down a full-time job as racquetball director for Southview Athletic Club in West St. Paul, Minn. Locker finds the sport of racquetball very rewarding. His dedication has gotten him far and with his current financial backing, he is even further motivated to succeed.

On Wednesday, Mike Locker (Duluth, Minn.) defeated opponent, Jimmy Lowe (Seattle, Wash.), in his first match of the Promus U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships presented by the U.S. Racquetball Association.

It has been a few years since the two players faced each other in Houston, Texas. At that match Lowe was the victor, so Locker counted on today's match being difficult. He headed in to the match with slight nervousness and played the game to the best of his ability.

Locker improved since their last encounter. He defeated Lowe in three straight games out of the five-game match. Locker won each game by a wide margin, the closest score being 11-8.

"Everything I hit seemed to turn to gold," commented Locker of his victory.

Locker is happy with his performance thus far, and is confident for the rest of the tournament. He is really enjoying the aura that is everywhere at the prestigious event being held in Memphis, Tenn.

Tomorrow at 12:30, Locker will face Fabian Balmori (Boca Raton, Fla.) who is representing Spain in the Promus U.S. OPEN.