Five Months In…As Executive Director
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by Mike Grisz
Dear USA Racquetball Members,
In this message, I originally had planned on presenting a long list of what’s been accomplished, what needs to be done, etc. But very briefly:
• We are in better financial shape.
• We are on top of SafeSport (including suspensions and responding to the 2022 audit).
• Jonathan Greenberg is becoming a full-time USA Racquetball employee on April 3.
• National Singles & Doubles in Tempe was a success.
What I really want to talk about, though, is the experience Karen and I had at the USAR National High School Championships (NHS) the first week in March at the iconic Multnomah Athletic Club (the “MAC”). Much of my time in this position so far has been challenging, to say the least. NHS, though, was a revelation and a rejuvenation.
We were privileged to be part of a tournament with polite, on-time, and happy players; a great group of dedicated coaches; and a great venue. The tournament ran an hour ahead nearly the entire time. All matches, even the first ones at 8:00 am, had referees, with a number of players volunteering to referee their teammates while eating breakfast. There was a vibe in the club of enthusiasm and a joy of being there. It was among the best racquetball experiences I’ve had.
Thanks to so many but especially to Liz Yee of Oregon and Dan Whitley of Missouri, true leaders in high school racquetball. And now I understand completely why Hank Marcus is in the USAR Hall of Fame.
This tournament and the other “next generation” tournaments are a rewarding aspect of being Executive Director. I will be pleased to also give my full support to USAR Intercollegiates the third weekend of March in Columbus, Ohio, and to Junior Nationals in Pleasanton, California, in June.
Please call or text me at (972) 849-0212, or email me at mgrisz@aol.com if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.
In this message, I originally had planned on presenting a long list of what’s been accomplished, what needs to be done, etc. But very briefly:
• We are in better financial shape.
• We are on top of SafeSport (including suspensions and responding to the 2022 audit).
• Jonathan Greenberg is becoming a full-time USA Racquetball employee on April 3.
• National Singles & Doubles in Tempe was a success.
What I really want to talk about, though, is the experience Karen and I had at the USAR National High School Championships (NHS) the first week in March at the iconic Multnomah Athletic Club (the “MAC”). Much of my time in this position so far has been challenging, to say the least. NHS, though, was a revelation and a rejuvenation.
We were privileged to be part of a tournament with polite, on-time, and happy players; a great group of dedicated coaches; and a great venue. The tournament ran an hour ahead nearly the entire time. All matches, even the first ones at 8:00 am, had referees, with a number of players volunteering to referee their teammates while eating breakfast. There was a vibe in the club of enthusiasm and a joy of being there. It was among the best racquetball experiences I’ve had.
Thanks to so many but especially to Liz Yee of Oregon and Dan Whitley of Missouri, true leaders in high school racquetball. And now I understand completely why Hank Marcus is in the USAR Hall of Fame.
This tournament and the other “next generation” tournaments are a rewarding aspect of being Executive Director. I will be pleased to also give my full support to USAR Intercollegiates the third weekend of March in Columbus, Ohio, and to Junior Nationals in Pleasanton, California, in June.
Please call or text me at (972) 849-0212, or email me at mgrisz@aol.com if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.
