July 2, 2009

Can you believe it’s July already? As we go into the Fourth of July weekend, we want to touch base with you on several topics of interest to all.

Congratulations to the six junior players from Illinois (and their families) who traveled to Lansing, Michigan to compete in the 2009 USAR Junor Olympic Championships, June 24-28. Trevor Snyders, Nick Loy, Saad Siddiqui, Jason Goodman, Sam Goodman and Jeremy Dixon represented Team Illinois very well in their respective divisions. All results are posted on R2 Sports, plus look for more coverage on these Illinois junior players in the Summer issue of the ISRA Newsletter.

Please get into the habit of visiting this website periodically. Besides this home page message (generally updated monthly or more frequently as news develops), the ISRA Newsletter is now published exclusively online and can be reviewed here or downloaded and printed for those who prefer to have a hard copy.  This approach to the newsletter is more economical, environmentally responsible, and provides for more coverage and pictures in living color!  We hope you enjoy it -- the newsletter is published four times a year.  The past four issues are posted above and the Summer issue will be available in August. And, note a late-breaking development to the right of this message on the ISRA Calendar -- the ISRA Annual Golf Outing is back, scheduled for August 29th! Golf enthusiasts, check out the entry information in the attached PDF.

There's a fantastic opportunity here in our state this month that doesn't come along all that often -- the National Masters Racquetball Association's International Championships, July 15-18 in Champaign/Urbana at the University of Illinois.  Our own ISRA Hall of Fame member John O'Donnell, Jr. is the onsite host for the event.  For players 45 years and older, this tournament is renowned for its round robin playing format (all you can handle!), hospitality, great tournament gifts, and camaraderie.  Plus, it's just down the road, literally!  Please come out and support John and the NMRA at this event.  The deadline for entry is Wednesday, July 8th at http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=5339.  Visit the site for additional details, and we look forward to seeing you there!

For those who would like to learn how to teach racquetball to others, here is the opportunity you've been waiting for! Just prior to the NMRA event in Champaign/Urbana, AmPRO Director Gary Mazaroff announces that an AmPRO Instructor Certification Course will be conducted by Darryl Warren at the University of Illinois Student Rec Center on July 13th and 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days. All students must be members of USA Racquetball. Current NMRA member cost is $150; all others $225. Contact Darryl at warrendz@sbcglobal.net or Gary at (505) 321-1110.

Last but definitely not least, you may not have heard the news that our own long-time ISRA Board member TJ Ferro is fighting a battle with cancer.  In between chemo treatments, TJ continues to play on the days when he's feeling up to it, and he fully intends to compete in the NMRA tournament this month. 

IMPORTANT: Come out for a Night of Celebration and Appreciation for TJ on Saturday evening, July 25th at Glass Court (during Summerfest). Plan to play the tournament, but if you aren't able to devote the weekend, please do try to come over to Glass to participate in this gathering.  TJ's prowess as a player and his contributions to the sport on so very many levels make him a legend in Illinois and beyond. We look forward to providing TJ and his family a night to remember as we encourage and support him in this challenge he is currently facing. Check back here for the time and further details as the date draws closer.

Note that this is not a surprise celebration, and TJ is excited at the prospect of getting together with friends from the past and present.  We're planning on a tremendous turnout, but if you can't attend and would like to forward a message for TJ, please send your thoughts to cherylkkirk@aol.com and we'll make sure he receives your best wishes. 

Happy Fourth to you and yours,

Your ISRA Board