ALL MILITARY CHAMPIONSHIPS

were a success!

December 11, 2008:
Courtesy of Military.com, Full page story & link to MRF site up for potential 10 million visitors

RACQUETBALL PROS JOIN THE FLEET ONBOARD USS BONHOMME RICHARD (LHD 6)

For the first time in history, a portable outdoor racquetball court was placed on the flight deck of a naval vessel to showcase the benefits of racquetball as it relates to fitness for Sailors. The USS BONHOMME RICHARD  (LHD 6) welcomed the top professional racquetball players from the International Racquetball Tour, Women's Professional Racquetball Organization, World Outdoor Racquetball and Classic Professional Racquetball Tour. "We're making history onboard this vessel, as we promote health and fitness for our Sailors through the sport of racquetball," said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Harper of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron Five and event organizer. "This is an opportunity to show Sailors how to play the game and promote the sport in the military," said Alvaro Beltran, the number four ranked player on the International Racquetball Tour.

The idea of merging Navy fitness with the game of Racquetball began two years ago, while Lt. Cmdr Harper was deployed to the Gulf onboard a Norfolk based Cruiser. "Initially I was only thinking of how cool it would be to bring some type of court onto my ship while underway" says Lt. Cmdr Harper. "But then I learned about the possibilities of portable outdoor racquetball courts, and I thought it would be more exciting to bring the game of Racquetball directly to Sailors who have never been exposed to it and who know nothing about the physical and mental challenges of the game."

He put his idea into action while attending the 41st USA Racquetball Association National Singles Championship, where he met Hank Marcus with World Outdoor Racquetball and Peggine Tellez with the California State Racquetball Association. Together, this dynamic team orchestrated the two day demonstration onboard the USS BONHOMME RICHARD, November 12-13, then seamlessly launched the All Military National Championship at Naval Base San Diego, November 14-16.

The planning of such a huge undertaking took massive coordination between organizers, sponsors and the ship's staff. In fact, timing was critical as the BONHOMME RICHARD had just returned to port (San Diego) from for a four month exercise -- conducting maritime exercise missions with coalition forces, and it was scheduled to fulfill additional operational mission requirements. Yet, even with such a tight schedule, the ship's Commanding Officer, CAPT N. Parrott and CMDCM T. Verschueren thought this would be a unique way to introduce the sport and feature a new option for physical fitness to Sailors.  

The day before the event kickoff Chuck West, of GIMEL Properties, and his crew transported and built the portable outdoor court on the flight deck of the ship. Working from sunup to sunset, they meticulously erected the court that would be used to make naval history. Then it was time to play.

The clinic began with exhibition matches between the professional players. Sailors were also given the opportunity to test their racquetball skills against the pros so see if they could score a few points. The professional players in attendance were IRT Professionals Rocky Carson, Jason Mannino, Alvaro Beltran and Chris Crowther; WPRO Professionals Rhonda Rajsich and Angela Grisar; CPRT Professionals Bret Harnett and Jimmy Lowe; and WOR Professionals Greg Solis and Craig Lane.

Between games, the sponsors, players, and guests were given the opportunity to tour the ship and have lunch with the crew. Professional players Rhonda Rajsich and Rocky Carson, agreed that this event was unique, as it was the first time either player had an opportunity to experience life on a warship. "We are pro's in the sport of racquetball, but these Sailors are dedicated and committed to keeping this country free and democracy strong." said Rhonda. "We are the ones who are honored, just to be able to promote the sport to these Sailors" she continued. Rocky added, "We see the camaraderie amongst these Sailors, and pride they take in serving this country."

The Sailors expressed gratitude and admiration for the Pros as they, in most cases, received their first introduction to the game of Racquetball. "It's a very challenging sport and it's an awesome way to keep in shape," said Seaman Darren Larsen. "This was a successful event overall, both in terms of a morale boost for the crew and in promoting the ships continuing commitment to a culture of fitness," said Anne Bolton, BONHOMME RICHARD's Afloat Recreation Specialist. "We support a variety of fitness programs on BONHOMME RICHARD, and this racquetball clinic introduced the crew to an alternate method of staying in shape. It was a great event and it's awesome that we [BONHOMME RICHARD] were the first to host such an event."

As the clinics and demonstrations on the USS BONHOMME RICHARD; aimed at promoting racquetball to a new military audience, came to a close, the All Military National Championship, hosted by the Southwestern Region MWR, was just getting started, thanks to the generous support of Romano's Macaroni Grill, E-Force, Ektelon, GearBox Racquetball, Head, ProKennex, Wilson, Racquetball Warehouse, CPRT, NMRA and the Military Racquetball Federation (MRF).

Over 100 military players from across the country and abroad (Germany and Italy) came to compete in this tournament; the first of it's kind in over 15 years. In a celebration of military service, active duty and veteran service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard convened on Naval Base San Diego over Veteran's Day weekend in Round-Robin competitions to determine who would rein as the military Champion.  "It's a passion and the Inter-Service competition that keeps me coming back," Lt. Cmdr Chhem Young-Pen, from SPAWAR System Center Pacific "I mean, this tournament brought out the best players." Ron Dorst of Saratoga, N.Y. at 74, Dorst was the oldest player in the competition. The retired Vietnam-era veteran, who served in four branches of the military, has been playing racquetball for more than 25 years, said"It's fun coming together to have fun and see my friends."

"This week was a success for the sport of racquetball as we were extremely well received, not only by the tournament players, but also by those Sailors who had never heard of the game," said Lt Cmdr Steven Harper. "Getting the Military Racquetball-family back together again was just Great," said Jeff Elder, (Air Force MSgt, ret.), former Presidential aircrew member of AIR FORCE ONE. "After 15+ years, it's been a long time coming, and a dream of many to put on this type of event. We have to keep this program alive in the military." And that is exactly what the supporters of this event intend to do!

After watching the Pro's and playing for an entire weekend, there were several champions. A few of  the  winning results were as follows:

We owe our deepest gratitude to Terri Thomas, Ron Vogel, Irene Wells, and Cynthia Fabian from the Southwest Region MWR for taking a chance on us (MRF) to run this event.

November 21, 2008:
Courtesy of Navy.mil

SERVICE MEMBERS, VETS MEET ON COURTS DURING RACQUETBALL CONTEST

Story Number: NNS081118-14    Release Date: 11/18/2008 8:18:00 AM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marie Montez, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 100 participants with racquets in hand gathered to compete during the Military Racquetball National Championship Nov. 14-16 aboard Naval Base San Diego. Active, Reserve and retired military personnel from all four services met on the courts to share in camaraderie while trying to be the first to reach the 15-point score to take the game. The event originated as an exhibition game aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and evolved into the Military Racquetball National Championships. Participants included several active-duty and veterans all ready to tell stories about their court experiences.

"It's fun coming together to have fun and see my friends." said Ron Dorst of Saratoga, N.Y. At 74, Dorst was the oldest player in the competition. The retired Vietnam-era veteran, who served in all four branches of the military, has been playing racquetball for more than 25 years.

Another Vietnam veteran Hank Estrada of Upland, Calif., began playing the game 15 years ago, after his doctor found a medical ailment. "When I got the news from that, I figured life is too short and decided racquetball would be fun," he said. "It's a great sport, and now I travel all over the United States to play."

Participants received a free T-shirt, water bottle, refreshments and snacks. Macaroni Grill provided lunch. Outside the event, exhibitors showcased the latest racquetball equipment available on the market today. For more news from Naval Base San Diego, visit www.navy.mil/local/NBSD/.

BONHOMME RICHARD PROMOTES FITNESS THROUGH RACQUETBALL CLINIC

Story Number: NNS081119-15     Release Date: 11/19/2008 10:17:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Marcus Stanley, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) welcomed racquetball's elite aboard and hosted a two-day racquetball clinic Nov. 12-13 to teach Sailors the sport and encourage new ways to stay fit. The clinic, the first of its kind held aboard a Navy vessel, featured players from the International Racquetball Tour, Women's Professional Racquetball Organization, World Outdoor Racquetball and Classic Professional Racquetball Tour.

"We're making history, and at the same time we're promoting health and fitness to our Sailors as well as promoting the sport of racquetball," said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Harper of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 5 event organizer. "The way you get them involved is to bring it to them."

"This is an opportunity to show Sailors how to play the game and promote the sport in the military," said Alvaro Beltran, the number four ranked player in the International Racquetball Tour. The clinic began with exhibition matches between professional players. Sailors were also given the opportunity to test their racquetball skills against them.

"It's a very challenging sport, and it's an awesome way to keep in shape," said Seaman Darren Larsen. During the visit, sponsors of the clinic, professional players and their families toured Bonhomme Richard and ate lunch with the crew.

"This was a successful event overall, both in terms of a morale boost for the crew and in promoting the ships continuing commitment to a culture of fitness," said Anne Bolton, Bonhomme Richard's afloat recreation specialist. "We support a variety of fitness programs on Bonhomme Richard, and this racquetball clinic exposed the crew to another alternative to staying in shape."

"We should do more events like this to promote not only the sport, but the Navy in general," said Larsen. "It was a great event, and it's awesome that we [Bonhomme Richard] were the first to host such an event." For more news from USS Bonhomme Richard, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd6/.

Oct 14, 2008

MILITARY RACQUETBALL KICKS OFF IN NOVEMBER

Courtesy of Military Fitness on Military.com

HOUSTON, Texas -- This year, for the first time since 1992, the Navy sent the All-NAVY Racquetball Team to Houston, Texas to compete against the Air Force and the Marine Corps in the 41st USA Racquetball Association National Singles Championships (“The Finals”), May 22 – 26, 2008. Racquetball has been around since the 1960’s. The sport currently boasts an estimated 5.8 million players nationwide with international recognition growing at a rapid rate in over 40 countries.

Racquetball’s roots in the Navy date back to the early 1980’s. Navy bases (Fleet-wide) and Air Force major commands would sponsor base-wide racquetball qualifying tournaments, with the winners attending region-wide competitions. Regional winners would then advance to either the Air Forces’ MAJCOM Racquetball Team or the All-NAVY Racquetball Team. The top four players in each competitive division were sent to Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas to compete in the Armed Services Inter-Service tournament (Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines), and then on to the US National Singles Championships in Houston, Texas. Unfortunately, in 1990-91, the Inter-Service competition was cancelled due to funding issues during OPERATION DESERT SHIELD.

The six team members who participated this year have been working diligently to put together a Navy team for more than two years; and now, with the backing of Navy Sports, their dream became a reality. The members of the team were chosen based on their impressive individual resumes. Most members competed and/or won sanctioned tournaments at the state and regional levels. Their winnings and cumulative points at sanctioned tournaments determined their ranking at Nationals.

This year’s team of players competed nationwide with some of the best racquetball players from across the country. Six Sailors, six Marines, 17 Airmen and one Soldier competed in two or more matches per day for six days over the Memorial Day Weekend. “It’s a passion and the adrenaline that keeps me coming back,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Russ Bruns, All-Navy team co-captain from Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, Ga. “I mean, the racquetballs have been clocked at speeds of over 150 mph within the confines of a 40ft by 20ft court. Where else can you experience that?”

Military members from all four services have been working with their respective branches and with USA Racquetball for the last few years to get backing to compete in these tournaments. The ultimate goal is to grow the sport within the services as well as grow the relationship between the military and USA Racquetball. “We [military] are always looking for good players who are at their A level to compete,” said Air Force Capt. Rik Lepine, Air Force team captain, from Hurlburt Field AFB, Fla. Racquetball is an all-season cross-training sport that is open to male and female athletes of all ranks. Between military commitments and deployments, it is often hard to keep players for a team and find the time to play. “It’s all about the game,” said Harper, All-Navy team captain, from Maritime Security Squadron Five, Imperial Beach, Calif. “The game is a true challenge because once you understand the fundamentals, you will want to get better. It is truly addictive!” said Harper. “It’s the best way to stay fit and offers a different mental challenge every time you step on the court, and that’s the new physical theme of the Navy…staying physically ready for any situation,” he continued.

Overall the Air Force won with 47 points, second place went to the Navy with 42 points and the Marines came in third with 11 points. For a team of only six members competing with a larger Air Force team of 17 members, the Navy stood its ground. “Overall the competition was tough,” said Lepine. “This is the first time the military has played at this level, and it was great.”

This is only the beginning. Naval Base San Diego MWR is in the initial planning stages for hosting a sanctioned tournament, “The All Military Invitational Open Racquetball Tournament,” for all active duty members in all services during the fall season (Nov. 14 – 16, 2008).

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                  Video by Mark Naylor