Standing Committees
Collegiate Committee
Danny Rodriguez (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee's primary function is to promote, develop, and instruct tournament caliber collegiate players throughout the United States. The Association develops the recreational player program at the collegiate level while concentrating on developing the competitive player.
Committee Members:
Rob Durbin, Non-Board
Melissa King, Non-Board
Richard Krinsky, Non–Board
Greg Leeman, Non-Board
Tim Miller, Non-Board
Bill Porter, Non-Board
Paul Snyder, Non-Board
Cindy Tilbury, Board
Rob VanSchalkywk, Non-Board
Gavin Usher, Non-Board
Election Committee
Terry Rogers (Chairperson, Vice President, Board member)
This committee is responsible for applying election procedures to maintain the fairness of all elections and the freedom of opportunity for candidates and voters alike. This committee is charged with identifying candidates, verifying the resumes of those who apply to be candidates, and presenting a slate to the Board of Directors for approval. The USAR Board Election Committee will be comprised of an appointed Committee Chair who is a member of the Board of Directors plus at least three Board members, all of whom must not be eligible for re-election in the next election cycle. The makeup of the Committee may also include non-Board members in a number not to exceed the number of Board members serving on the Committee. In conjunction with the Election Committee during each election cycle, a specialized task force may be assigned to aid in identifying and recommending candidates for the Board of Directors in the category of Board Appointed positions, as needed and as determined by Board composition parameters. The members of this task force will change from cycle to cycle to include only Board members who will not be candidates in the next election.
Committee Members:
**Jake Bredenbeck, Board/Athlete Rep
Cheryl Kirk, Non-Board
**Michelle De La Rosa, Board/Athlete Rep
Cindy Tilbury, Board
Bob Frazier, Non-Board
Executive/Ethics/Personnel Committee
Stewart Solomon (Chairperson, President, Board member)
Per 601.0.B.2, the Executive/Ethics/Personnel/Grievance Committee is empowered to act for the Board of Directors between meetings and shall transact business and administer the affairs of the Corporation and the Board of Directors. This committee is responsible for developing personnel plans and programs. The committee also reviews recommendations for annual salary increases, approves budget lines for such increases, and has input on structural reorganizations to increase productivity. Per 601.0.B.6, the Executive/Ethics/Personnel/Grievance Committee acts as the first point of contact for grievances, either choosing to directly adjudicate as a committee or, alternatively, appointing appropriate committees and/or individuals to comprise adjudication panels responsible for addressing specific individual grievances. Whether any grievance panel is the Executive/Ethics/Personnel/Grievance Committee itself or an alternative appointed panel, athlete representation percentage in accordance with USOPC Bylaws Section 8.5.3 is mandatory.
Committee Members:
Steve Czarnecki, Board Treasurer
**Michelle De La Rosa, Board Secretary/Athlete Rep
**Charlie Pratt, Board/Athlete Rep
Terry Rogers, Board Vice President
Finance Committee
Steve Czarnecki (Chairperson, Treasurer, Board member)
This committee oversees, validates, and approves and checks all of the financial operations and actions of the Association to include its budget, financial statements, annual audit, and fundraising activities. The Treasurer chairs this committee.
Committee Members:
Mike Grisz, Board
**Danielle Maddux, Board/Athlete Rep
Hall of Fame/Awards Committee
Larry Haemmerle (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee oversees the process by which the Association honors those men and women who have excelled at the competitive sport of racquetball on the court or made outstanding contributions to the development and growth of racquetball in the United States. Secondary objectives include assisting in the research necessary to develop and maintain a history of United States Racquetball and securing historical memorabilia. For annual awards, this committee is responsible for ensuring that qualified male and female nominees are identified for the numerous awards that the Corporation has developed, including the Athletes of the Year, Peggy Steding and Bud Muehleisen Age Group Athletes of the Year, Joe Sobek Contributor Award, John Halverson (Fair Play) Award, and President's Award.
Committee Members:
Todd Boss, Board
Jim Easterling, Non-Board
Cheryl Gudinas, Non-Board/Athlete Rep
Jerry Hilecher, Non-Board
Terry Rogers, Board
Randy Stafford, Non-Board
High School Committee
Dan Whitley (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee determines policy and procedures to promote racquetball as a competitive high school sport. The committee may also assist in promoting and operating the annual National High School Tournament.
Committee Members:
Brian Ancheta, Non-Board
Michelle De La Rosa, Board/Athlete Rep
Stephen Deves, Non-Board
Liz Yee, Non-Board
Junior Committee
Brian Dixon (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee will determine policy and procedures to promote junior racquetball within state associations for all youths of high school age and below. The committee will also assist in the policy development, promotion, and operation of junior national events. The committee is responsible for furthering the growth of and participation in racquetball programs for players 18 years of age and under at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
Committee Members:
Brian Ancheta, Non-Board
George Bustos, Non-Board
Dave Ellis, Non-Board
Dan Horner, Non-Board
Sandy Long, Non-Board
Erika Manilla, Non-Board
Armando Perez, Non-Board
Gary Wargo, Non-Board
Legislative Committee
Cheryl Kirk (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee is responsible for ensuring that the Association operates within the bounds of all applicable laws and regulations. The committee reviews proposed changes to legislation and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding adoption or rejection.
Committee Members:
**Michelle De La Rosa, Board/Athlete Rep
Larry Haemmerle, Non-Board
Tony Prater, Non-Board
**Charlie Pratt, Board/Athlete Rep
Terry Rogers, Board
Marketing Committee
Mike Wedel (Chairperson, Executive Director)
This committee develops and implements marketing initiatives and activities to drive awareness around USA Racquetball, increase engagement amongst current members, and attract new players and members.
Committee Members:
This committee is currently forming.
Membership Committee
Vinny Leo (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee strives to actively engage the State Associations and USAR members through a variety of media sources in an effort to retain current members and acquire new members. It reviews member concerns and suggests methods to improve and enhance current practices including but not limited to membership, dues, communication, and benefits.
Committee Members:
Todd Boss, Board
Scott Fish, Non-Board
Charlie Pratt, Board/Athlete Rep
Darold Key, Non-Board
Cindy Tilbury, Board
Mike Wedel, Non-Board
National Events Committee
Mike Grisz (Chairperson, Executive Director)
This committee is responsible for the strategy and creative thinking behind the decisions made regarding the growth and success of USA Racquetball's national tournament schedule through member outreach and the committee's expertise.
Committee Members:
Michelle De La Rosa, Board/Athlete Rep
Larry Haemmerle, Non-Board
Renee Isherwood, Non-Board
Jonn Olson, Non-Board
Carrie Reitmeier, Non-Board
Aimee Roehler, Non-Board/Athlete Rep
Connor Shane, Non-Board
Cindy Tilbury, Board
Mike Wedel, Non-Board
Referee Certification
Lynn Stephens (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee is responsible for creating and administering referee certification tests and standards for Level 1 and Level 2 referee certification and renewal. The committee's qualified members administer on-site assessment for Level 2 certification at National Singles and Doubles. The committee makes recommendations to the National Board on how certified referees are recognized and compensated.
Committee Members:
Todd Boss, Board
Dan Horner, Non-Board
Mary Kirchoff, Non-Board
Eric New, Non-Board
Revenue Generation/Fundraising Committee
Looking for Chairperson
This committee is charged with organizing, understanding, and coordinating all fundraising activities across the entire Association to ensure that non-statutory funding is maximized. To accomplish this, the committee will work closely with the USA Racquetball staff to develop and design pragmatic and implementable programs to encourage donations from a broad spectrum of USA Racquetball members and sponsors.
Committee Members:
This committee is currently forming.
Rules Committee
Dan Horner (Chairperson, National Rules Commissioner, Non-Board member)Per Section E.1 (Rule Change Procedures) of the USAR Rulebook, this committee will administer processes, review rule change proposals, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Committee Members:
Todd Boss, Board
Johnny Boyd, Non-Board
**Jake Bredenbeck, Board/Athlete Rep (Interim)
**Michelle De La Rosa, Board/Athlete Rep
Otto Dietrich, Non-Board
**Cheryl Guidinas, Non-Board/Athlete Rep
Larry Haemmerle, Non-Board
**Charlie Pratt, Board/Athlete Rep
JD Shelton, Non-Board
Lynn Stephens, Non-Board
Scholarship Committee
Dan Whitley (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee is charged with establishing and distributing eligibility data; accepting and reviewing applications from qualified applicants; making recommendations to the Board of Directors on all applications reviewed; distributing funds to approved scholarship recipients; and establishing procedures for increasing public awareness and raising funds for the scholarship program.
Committee Members:
Erik Becker, Non-Board
Nancy Davis, Non-Board
Michelle De La Rosa, Board/Athlete Rep
Scott Fish, Non-Board
Dylan Reid, Non-Board
Terry Rogers, Board
U.S. Team Committee
Larry Haemmerle (Chairperson, Non-Board member)
This committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning team procedures and protocols including development of selection criteria and selecting athlete and staff delegations for international competitions. The committee is also responsible for due process issues involving probation and dismissal from the U.S. National Racquetball Team, as well as reviewing and soliciting recipients for grant funds. The committee provides a structure for communication between athletes and coaches. Through continual evaluation, the committee's policies will reflect those of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the Association as the sport evolves at the international level. The committee prepares announcements for coach and team leader positions, reviews applications, conducts interviews, and selects personnel for all US Team roles and positions.
Committee Members:
Tim Baghurst, Non-Board
Kelley Beane, Non-Board
**Michelle De La Rosa, Board/Athlete Rep
Dave Ellis, Non-Board
Mike Grisz, Executive Director (ex officio)
Cheryl Kirk, Non-Board
**Danielle Maddux, Board/Athlete Rep
**Charlie Pratt, Board/Athlete Rep
Stewart Solomon, Board President (ex officio)
Aimee Roehler, Non-Board/Athlete Rep
Women’s Committee
Terry Rogers (Chairperson, Board member)
This committee is responsible for generating interest in the sport among women. The committee coordinates with state affiliates, program officials, and other organizations that share its emphasis, to provide timely and factual information about the state of women's racquetball in the U.S., encourage more activity by women in officiating and governance, plus take a pro-active role in the administration of programs that directly impact women in the sport.
Committee Members:
T. J. Baumbaugh, Non-Board
Debbie Bryant, Non-Board
Michelle De La Rosa, Board/Athlete Rep
Lorraine Galloway, Non-Board
Cheryl Kirk, Non-Board
Janice Vosika, Non-Board
WOR (World Outdoor Racquetball) Committee
Michelle De La Rosa (Chairperson, Board member, Athlete Rep)
This committee is responsible for preserving the integrity of World Outdoor Racquetball. The WOR (Outdoor) Committee oversees all aspects of outdoor racquetball in support of events, directors, and members. Some of this committee's specific functions are to develop rules, promote outdoor racquetball, administer rankings, and assist WOR directors.
Committee Members:
Darold Key, Non-Board
Rick Koll, Non-Board
Dan Whitley, Non-Board