Ideas on promoting the sport of racquetball - page 1

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Subject: Racquetball "Marketing" Suggestion for 2001
Date: 19 Jan 2001 18:23:27 GMT
From: (Jordan Kahn)

My first racquetball suggestion for 2001.

How To Create More Players at Clubs and Create a Larger USRA Member Base.

Non-USRA members do not play tournaments for the following reasons:

1) Cost.
2) Time involved, family or work.
3) Don't want to look bad when getting beat.
4) Not playing enough to feel confident to play.

Something is wrong if 6 million people play racquetball, but less than half of
1 percent are USRA members.

If it is a "insurance issue", then the USRA should purchase additional coverage
to allow non-members to participate in a "one-time" first tournament for a few
bucks extra, and start running USRA clinics to non-USRA members and beginner
racquetball players.

Granted, the USRA does a fantastic job running national, international
tournaments and clinics for "elite players", but this has no effect or help for
the average racquetball facility.

I think the USRA believes putting resources at the "elite" end of racquetball
will somehow create "new" players who are interested in these "elite" events.

Unfortunately the average recreational player and racquetball facility manager
could care less, since the USRA has nothing to offer of value.

Sure, the magazine is nice, but only for those "really interested" in
racquetball. It still is a luxury that players can live without since most of
the names and articles have no interest to "recreational" players.

OK, enough USRA bashingâ€¦ my suggestions to help solve these problems.

1) Get a new insurance policy that covers additional new players at a small
additional premium paid by new players.

2) Develop a fund to pay insurance cost to non-USRA members who participate in
free clinics.

3) Charge a $7 (example) fee to first-time tournament players, which includes
insurance and one free "special issue" of Racquetball Magazine that was
published solely to "sell" new members.

The special issue of the Free Racquetball Magazine could be designed to be
"dateless" and full of instructional help, advertising of companies websites,
with articles of "recreational" players from all levels, ages and backgrounds
with stories how they started playing.

In other words, the special issue would be at the "recreational" level, similar
to how MTV advertises to kids.

Who would pay for the "cost" to publish this?

Racquetball companies, funding from the $500,000.00 annual USOC Racquetball
Promotional Funding and possibly IHRSA.

Two mailings could be arranged, one for "first-time" players and a second with
a special "club manager" insert to be sent to all racquetball facilities,
offering new programs and detailed information (cover letter).

The advertisers and IHRSA would have a free "piggyback" advertisement included
in the "club" mailing.

This would be a "win-win" situation for all involved.

An ideal date for "club" mailing would be for August, including information how
to contact local instructors and associations to host and schedule "free"
clinics during the clubs "fall" membership drives.

Have the local instructors and state associations then do follow-up calls, with
an extra copy and printed information, just in case the club "trashed" the
mailing.

The USRA has the resources; contacts, credibility and funding while the local
states do all the "legwork" and provide staffing.

Imagine what things "could" be like if this was done a few years ago?

Jordan

Subject: Re: Racquetball "Marketing" Suggestion for 2001
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 23:46:01 GMT
From: Lynn Stephen

Jordan said:
> <snip>
> Non-USRA members do not play tournaments for the following reasons:
>
> 1) Cost.
> 2) Time involved, family or work.
> 3) Don't want to look bad when getting beat.
> 4) Not playing enough to feel confident to play.

Texas and some other states are running one day shootouts which are
very popular and address all of these issues.

<snip>
>
> Have the local instructors and state associations then do follow-up
calls, with
> an extra copy and printed information, just in case the
club "trashed" the
> mailing.
>
> The USRA has the resources; contacts, credibility and funding while
the local
> states do all the "legwork" and provide staffing.
>
> Imagine what things "could" be like if this was done a few years ago?

This would be great but in the real world State Board members are
volunteers and most are not willing to take on a lot of extra work. All
this "legwork" would probably fall on the State President and I don't
think I could handle much more and still make a living.

The things we do in North Carolina that seem to work (10% increase in
membership last year)are:
We give every new member (not renewals) a membership pack when they
join up. This is instant gratification and answers the age old
question,"Just what am I getting for this $20 membership fee anyway?"
The pack consists of a canvas gym bag with our State logo on it, a t-
shirt with our logo, a can of Penn balls, a rulebook, the last 2 issues
of Racquetball Mag., the last 2 issues of our State newsletter, and any
other assorted goodies we can come up with. The USRA provides the
balls, mags, rulebooks, and some goodies for us. We do have to pay a
small amount for the rulebooks to help cover the cost of printing.

We also feel that to increase membership we have to let non-tournament
people know that our State organization exists. We have had 12" by 18"
signs(not posters) made with our State logo and our web site address on
them. We distributed these to all the clubs in the State. We support
all racquetball clubs here. Not just the ones that have tournaments.

I think you come up with some great ideas Jordan, but I would like to
hear about some things that are already in use by the States and how
they seem to be working. I think the one day shootouts would be a great
way to incorporate your idea on having a lower fee for first time
players since these tournaments don't give away shirts.

--
Lynn Stephens - President
North Carolina Racquetball Association

Subject: USTA
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 04:52:28 GMT
From: "JHard

I have never belonged to the USTA(United States Tennis Association) I did
play some tennis in high school and briefly for a local college. My
daughter plays tennis for her school team. I think it is safe to say that
that is the extent of my tennis connections SO why am I receiveing a very
impressive flyer in the mail from the USTA encoraging me to join...

For 20 bucks I can become a card carrying USTA member and receive a years
subscription to Tennis Magazine and a t-shirt. Hmmmm

I figure the USTA got my name from a mailing list(I did order my kid a new
racquet) but WOW what effort on the part of the USTA to reach out to me and
probably thousands of others.

I used to belong to the USRA, havent been a member for some time now. I
should be on thier mailing list somewhere. Aint ever heard from em.

JHard

(Jordan Kahn)

But Kathy, like others, feel a new direction is needed.

For as long as I remember, and have read about (early 70's), the leadership of
racquetball awaits the coming of Olympics, TV or Pro Tours as the messiah of
racquetball.

This is like a member of a large family not getting a job because they think a
rich uncle will leave them a fortune.

By the time the USRA gets their act together, there will be few clubs left, and
those will have few courts or expensive memberships.

I said this 20 years ago. Was I wrong?

What upsets us the most, it is the "head-in-the-sand" attitude that everything
is OK, or getting better.

The only reason things look better at one club is because 2 clubs down the
street closed, or converted courts.

The USRA needs to diversify NOW by sponsoring, promoting and being active in
non-tournament racquetball events.

Yea, I know, it's the INSURANCE issue, that all players must be current USRA
members to participate in any USRA sponsored event, even a free clinic to new
players.

I wonder if during an Olympic Tournament, the USRA will check to see if all the
players, of other countries, have paid their current USRA membership?

If there are 60 pro racquetball players, or 60 players competing in the USA
racquetball Olympics, it is still only .001 percent of the 6 million
recreational players.

Or, in the TV ratings game, if 50 percent of all USRA members tuned in to watch
racquetball, it would be less than 13,000 people, or smaller than most sports
stadiums hold!

The "Olympic" dream IS BASED ON TV RATINGS.

If I were the person to decide on which sport gets into the Olympics, it surely
would be based on the number of viewers and growth of that sport.

A decline in numbers, like racquetball, is a very bad sign.

My suggestions to fix racquetball?

Get a "sister" organization formed by the USRA to promote, promote and promote,
to NON-USRA members through recreational FUN programs.

Do not use existing USRA staff, but split (yes split) the $500,000.00 annual
"Growth Fund" from the USOC directly into this new organization.

Have a 3-5 year goal, and target "groups" of cities at a time through national
promotional campaigns.

You can build up the campaign to work into the National Championships or US
Open, by giving "all expense paid vacations" through promotional "raffles" at
participating facilities that offer non-tournament promotions.

I could go on, but that's the basic belief many of us have. Some are just more
passionate in their views.

We are all stuck in the same "boat" adrift. The problem is which way do we
steer?

Jordan

Subject: More youth racquetball ideas
Date: 09 Jan 2001 18:57:10 GMT
From: (Jordan Kahn)

I just talked to two moms regarding scheduling some racquetball clinics for
their Brownie Troops.

These are two different groups that happened to ask during the same week.

I have already done a Brownie Troop clinic last year at the same Park District.

We had all 12 girls meet together while I went over the safety rules and use of
equipment, eyeguards, wristthong, and keeping racquet by leg when waiting
turns.

We split the girls into two groups; one with me, and the other waited and had
snacks in our snack room restaurant. Then both groups switched after 20
minutes.

Last year I did not charge a fee to the Brownie Troop, because the troop leader
had 2 daughters in my current weekly classes.

This year we may start charging fees, though it will be up to my boss, who this
year offered to pay me even though he was not going to charge the Brownie
Troops (nice boss).

These types of programs work great at our Park District, since we already have
seasonal youth racquetball clinics, classes and teams "scheduled" in our
seasonal brochures.

The best time to schedule any free clinic is just prior to classes starting.
And I ALWAYS offer free clinics, on the same day and time ONE WEEK prior to
dates classes begin.

Facilities that do not have existing programs have a tougher time, since there
must be lots of phone calls to arrange days and times that fit every ones
schedule (parents, kids and instructors).

For me personally, I "scheduled" weekly classes, 5-15 weeks, since parents
(moms) prefer advanced planning for their family's busy schedules.

This works great, as an instructor, since there is better "job security" and
bigger paychecks. Beats the heck out of scheduling one private lesson here and
there.

Jordan
PS. Yesterday (Monday) I did a bunch of free clinics at the Park District. I
got home about 9PM and had a phone message from a private club in the area that
needed an instructor that evening for a Park District clinic (12 kids) hosted
at their club.

As I said in the past, instructors, clubs and the USRA should put a major
marketing push into 3-8 year old activities. This has become a "major" trend in
the fitness industry, which by chance I was doing a decade ago.

Subject: Re: usra leadership conference
Date: 02 Jan 2001 07:46:45 GMT
(Jordan Kahn)

Regarding Junior Programs

"What can we do as a community to help club owners see that a good juniors
program is their racquetball future?"

Depending on the facility, and their policies towards "non-members", there must
be a few programs available for each type of facility to select from.

There are no "one-size" fits all programs, and that is the problem.

I teach racquetball to kids for a living, and have been doing "pre-school"
racquetball programs for 10 years.

The first thing I do when I visit to a club is look at their other pre-school
programs and youth programs.

Why?

A facility without existing programs for kids (or kids present) will always be
harder to promote youth programs.

On the other hand, you must be careful not to "steal" kids participating in
existing club programs, like tennis or basketball, since these are two major
resources of income at private clubs, Park Districts, YMCA's and JCC's.

There are, like any business, lots of "Red-Tape" and personality clashes at
health clubs.

What may be allowed for a "one-time" clinic may not be allowed as a weekly
class or future program.

"Club Policies" regarding non-members are not usually flexible, because if you
allow non-members to one department, like aerobics, basketball or tennis, the
other departments want to do the same, which is too much trouble for most
facilities to work on.

What club managers want?

1) Make money.

2) Keep members happy

3) Not spend any money.

4) Not cause them any work or trouble.

Offering free racquetball clinics have a few problems, as club managers see it:

1) Should not be free or lose money.

2) Losing "court time", members inconvenienced.

3) Losing guest fees for non-members participating.

But there are ways to work around these problems.

1) Talk to owners and ask when they run "membership promotions", this is a good
time for non-members to participate since you are also selling the club. Work
on the clubs schedule, not yours.

2) Work on a 6-9 month advanced timetable, which is what clubs normally use.

3) Donate instructor's time while allowing club to charge members, this puts
value on a program, even if it's only a few dollars a person. If the clubs
members are happy, or the club makes money, the club may want to offer more
programs.

4) Become the "Middle-Man" between the local Park District and the Local
Private Club. The club gets plenty of free advertisement while the park
district offers more programs. The club controls all registration and may
include guest fees in programs. This works great to add "outside" non-members
into programs with limited membership participation.

The key to make this work is learning what type of "policies" the local
racquetball facility has.

Then you can "sell" the best program that fits that facility.

I have 20 years experience with all types of facilities, as a racquetball
director at a large YMCA, pro at "elite" expensive private clubs, working and
teaching at big and small Park Districts.

All share the same handicap (listed above) of offering new programs.

The bottom-line for promoting juniors?

Go where the juniors are and start as young as possible!

By the age of 11-13, most kids stray away from recreational activities because
of friends or school interests.

Good Luck at the Leadership Meeting!

Jordan
PS. On December 11, 2000, a Park District I teach at, had over 40 kids
registered for the next session of free clinics, classes and teams that start
January 8, 2001.
While 40 kids may not be much, all 40 parents registered a month in advance on
the first day of registration!

Subject: Re: usra leadership conference
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 19:43:09 -0500
From: "Kevin Young"

A while ago I reported reading on Jeff Anthony's site of one of
the provinces in Canada allowing first time tournament players to play
without joining the national organization to keep the cost down for
the first-timer.
I know everyone cites USRA insurance as the major roadblock, but
you could have them sign an injury waiver to waive liability.
Kind of like the one I have to sign anyway when I fill out an
application...."I hereby for myself and my executors, waive and
release any and all rights and claims I have against the USRA, (insert
club here), (insert state organization here) etc. , and their agents
for injuries in connection with said event."
Some tell me that is a foolish statement, that it wouldn't hold
up in court anyway. So it really doesn't matter if they would have to
pay anyway as a secondary insurance, the real question is would they
forgoe the loss of revenue in order to chance hooking a competitor?
If hooked, he (or she) would have to ante up for the next tournament
anyway.
If they laugh too loud at that, how about suggesting that each
state have ONE tournament a year that they would accept this practice?
If they are still laughing, ask them what plans they have to
increase tournament participation in the states where turnout is going
down.
I try all the time to get friends to try a tournament. The added
cost of USRA membership when they don't know if they will like it is
the major reason they give for not trying one. That's too bad. If
half got hooked.....

-Kevin-

Subject: Re: Show Me The Money Date: 27 Sep 2000 21:07:50 GMT From: (CHADJOYCE) "sponge" mwkendal@flash.net wrote: ".... I love the game but am disappointed by its lack of respect in the sporting world and its continued decline in the health club market ...." Chad writes: Dear Mr/Ms Sponge: I started playing racquetball after a friend invited me to play a game at his club. That was more than 20 years ago. After the first game, I knew immediately that I was hooked. One of many ways to help create demand for our sport is for each of us to take personal responsibility and introduce the game to friends, associates and relatives. You can start today. Chad Joyce

Subject: Re: Racquetball on TV Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2000 18:01:38 -0700 From: Rich Monroe Ron wrote: > Does anyone know if there are any racquetball tournaments that are ever > televised? It's been quite some time since I viewed racquetball on television, but what I can tell you is that coverage of any sport requires adequate camera angles to achieve optimum enjoyment for the viewing audience. Consider the difference between a basic regional NFL football game (12 cameras on the field) and a typical NFL Monday Night Football Game (18-24 cameras). That's a huge difference for the audience and if you're a football fan you can relate to what I'm saying. Part of racquetballs challenge on television may not be so much the speed at which the ball travels but adequate coverage of the playing area and a game at which the serving pace (Rule 3.5 DELAYS) creates difficulty for a television crew to show instant replay or slo-motion during a live broadcast. Soooooo, what broadcasters and sponsors are left with is the option to shoot an event ("live on tape" as best they can) and then take the material to Editing and package it into a program that will fit into a half hour slot somewhere in their packed programming schedule, and, according to some of the posts I've been reading here, Racquetball has gotten some pretty lousy time slots, like Sunday mornings from 3:30 am to 4:00 am. How unfortunate. How can this be improved? Pro-event promoters - If you're going to put on an event for television make sure it has a court with adequate viewing for television cameras. Two should be placed in the front wall (high shot and low angle), one camera in each side wall covering the service box to cover both left and right handed players (think of golfs coverage of a typical tee shot for these two), Overhead camera (excellent for telestrator - color commentary on court awareness, position and strategy), two back corner side wall cameras (for covering corner back wall shots), One back wall camera covering the entire game and rally, a high back wall camera (reverse of the one high in the front wall) a camera on the referee, a camera on the gallery and finally a camera on the hosts of the broadcast. That's twelve cameras (4 manned and 8 remote) to adequately cover the sport of racquetball. Anything less and you'll begin to sacrifice the entertainment value for the audience and sell ability of the broadcast (or tape delay) to sponsors and advertisers. Sponsors - It takes a lot of time and costs a lot of money to put on a broadcast such as I've outlined. Work with promoters and broadcasters to enhance or remodel facilities to hold such events. If an venue doesn't have adequate capabilities then don't go there expecting outstanding televised results. If you want an audience to buy your products you've got to give them something of value to watch beyond basic coverage. USRA, Event Promoters, and Sponsors - Lobby the networks to cover your events ADEQUATELY, thus giving them something of value to sell to their advertisers at times people will be watching. Promote - Promote - Promote Rich Monroe producer, director, racquetball enthusiast

Subject: Re: AmPRO - A New Direction Date: 21 Aug 2000 20:22:32 GMT From: (Jordan Kahn) Yep, A few years back I called over 100 clubs in Illinois. About half the people who answered the phone didn't even know how many courts they had at the multi-facility places like Park Districts and YMCA's. And when I did talk to a manager or director interested in racquetball it was long conversations, and they did not even know who I was! (Yea, I can have a long conversation with myself, but not when I have a huge list of clubs to call). I still say, the person who MAKES THE CALLS should be able to immediately schedule a free clinic for that facility from a "open" list of available "sponsored" players, first amongst the preferred by the facility, then by the instructor who lives/works near the facility. This can be achieved by getting all the sponsored players to make at least 4 days available each fall/winter for someone (Like Lynn) to schedule. When you call a facility, you offer a free clinic or event hosted by the list of names available. NO, they don't have to be just clinics, they could be racquet demos, beat the pros (local top guns), challenge mixers etc. A website and auto email could be used to show facilities, instructors and interested persons what is going on and where. But the key is ORGANIZATION, PLANNING, and ADVANCED PROMOTION. OK, what do you think? Jordan -- Subject: AmPRO - A New Direction From: Racquetball Central Date: 8/21/00 1:02 AM Central Daylight Time (snip) Lynn said it was going slow...on top of it, Lynn knows so many clubs/owners/management across the country that each phone call isn't just "wham-bam-thank you mame"...it often turns into a long call about everything under the sun. Still she hinted she does maybe up to 10 clubs a day...among the many other things she does. Now with approximately 2500+ fitness clubs across the US with rb courts...it would take about 250 days by the time she's done...considering no problems/illness/etc are encountered.

Subject: Re: Recreational Racquetball Association Date: 02 Jul 2000 09:43:58 GMT From: (Jordan Kahn) Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com Newsgroups: alt.sport.racquetball References: 1 I have suggested in the past to the USRA that they begin an organization that has a goal of ONLY dealing with non-tournament recreational players using the existing USRA organization. This new group could be comprised of company reps, club staff, current and past "recreational" players and others who have the time, energy and experience to help. The goal is simple, provide direct help FREE OF CHARGE to any facility or state association. Ironically the USRA has a database of all the clubs and racquet companies, but only uses this to promote to only a few players per club who are already USRA members. You would think it would be more beneficial to promote "programs" toward the 97% of the players at a club rather than a tournament to only 3%. As far as clubs, out of the 3000 or so clubs, how many actually run tournaments or have enough courts or players to do so? The key is programming. The USRA is quick to point the lack of programming in clubs, but what USRA programs are offered to the non-tournament club player? By programs, I am not talking about LESSONS, but carefully designed programs that attract new players; keep new players busy with games against other new players. People want to play, not take lessons. Not all facilities are the same or share the same demographics. Sample programs should be referenced and available to all clubs FREE. All a club has to do is ask for a local USRA representative to help program and run the programs. All representatives will donate their time until the programs show a profit. How to do this? 1) Contact all racquetball clubs and club program staff to find out what programs work or don't work for them. 2) Enter this into a database with club demographics. 3) Create a program BIG program book and updated web site FREE. 4) Create a volunteer base to help facilities with programs. 5) Divide club locations into "regional", "state" and "area" zones. 6) Have designated "zone" volunteers- LOTS, not just a few "selected" people. 7) Go after past players who have retired or are injured but still want to be involved. 8) Co-Op newspaper ads with "zoned" facilities to promote area programs. 9) Form alliances with Park Districts, YMCAs, JCCs and other primary facilities. 10) Don't fiddle around with finding "sponsors", just do it. Many clubs and people will be happy to donate their time. Jordan PS. Forget AmPRO, you don't need to know anything about racquetball to get this running. And after you get this running, more people will want to play than take lessons. --

Subject: July racquetball promotion idea (suggestion for USRA) Date: 02 Jul 2000 19:44:22 GMT From: (Jordan Kahn) Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com Newsgroups: alt.sport.racquetball July promotion suggestion for USRA. My "July" positive suggestion for racquetball and the USRA. One way to increase the number of new racquetball players is to provide a FREE learn and play promotion to non-players through a FREE CERTIFIC good at participating clubs. Yes, tennis has done this for years in the national magazine. The catch? All participants of the "Learn and Play" promotion must be non-USRA members. Free certificates would also be readily available at participating clubs. The goal is simple, create new players and memberships for clubs. All participants will be added to the USRA mailing list for a later promotion from racquet companies. Full participant waivers would include the mail list waiver, along with waiver for use of photographs for promotional use. USRA has stated they have no promotional photos due to the "expense" and ownership issue. The USRA would be providing the leadership and credibility with national 6-month sponsorship promotion and an additional 6-month post promotion that could develop into an annual event. The clubs would provide free court time and display and promote this effort, in exchange clubs would receive FREE exposure in the USRA Racquetball Magazine and state newsletters. An advanced 6-month promotion would be needed, starting in one of the fall months like September or October. Any of the house pros or experienced players can be used for this, because the goal is to get people playing, not providing instruction. FREE use of equipment would be mandatory for participating facilities. I will post a step-by-step organizational outline in a later post how this can be done. Please feel free to comment about this suggestion or add any new ideas BEFORE I post the outline. Jordan PS.I do LOTS of free clinics, which account for about half of my paying program participants. I ONLY run free clinics at the same time and day a week or two before available programs begin. But the FREE clinics are promoted weeks in advanced.

Subject: A Basic Premise Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2000 23:54:29 -0500 From: Racquetball Central I think that it may have been DanO who first mentioned it here...certainly the first place I heard it was from Chuck Leve...but...for those who care...if you want racquetball, as a sport, to get to a higher level...it must be promoted as a ... FITNESS SPORT. That's the basic premise. Did an little experiment tonight...league night. I'm 44 next week...and played the club pro/owner, who is 30. I think all he does is workout...ok, and run the club ;-) My wife gives me grief every time she sees him lifting...my only response is, "But I've got skills"...unfortunately, my skills were only good up to 10-12 tonight...guess I'll have to start lifting/training again....shoulder feels good though. Anyway...did an experiment. recently bought a Polar HR Monitor...one of the "nice ones"...has memory and records HR in 5 sec intervals for up to 5+ hrs. Maybe I'm a bit outta shape...but playing Howie, I practically maintained a HR of over 170 (mostly over 180)...for 45 mins. And...of course, I had a great time doing it ;-) The next step is getting data on women, juniors, trained vs untrained...moving into anaerobic thresholds, lactate levels, fatigue parameters, etc. FITNESS...if you want to see racquetball SKYROCKET...you've got to solve the equation: Racquetball = Fitness -- Racquetball Central http://www.racquetballcentral.com/

Subject: "My" racquetball views for 2000 Date: 23 Jan 2000 02:11:36 GMT From: (Jordan Kahn) "My Changing Views" about Racquetball for the New Year. There seems to be a "vicious circle" of blame for the responsibility of racquetball promotion. Players blame their clubs, state and national organizations. Clubs say the cost of hiring a racquetball programmer (not to be confused with instructor) is the problem. State organizations say it is the "clubs" responsibility to promote racquetball. National organization says it is up to the local state organizations, clubs and players to promote racquetball. Though the national organization does "certify" (AmPRO) instructors and programmers, these are primary existing instructors who have already promoted racquetball in a club, or who teach for "club membership" or extra income. Unfortunately promoting is not as easy to do as teaching racquetball and most "part-time" instructors barely have the time to teach racquetball lessons. I believe the common thread, or complaint is the lack of "promotion". I am not talking about instructors, AmPRO or even televised racquetball, but the day-to-day "club" promotion to existing and future players and members. Before you pass the blame, look at what each group does do. Clubs provide the courts. National and State associations run tournaments. Instructors teach. All three groups above do different things that compliment each other, with the exception that without the clubs you would have no need for instructors and National or State associations. So my "New Changing View" for this year is what can I do to help the clubs? I challenge all the NG readers to meet with their local facility manager/owner and ask how YOU can help them for FREE. Yes, for free. That's the magic word in business, free. I will post ways YOU can help your local facility EVERY WEEK. These are cheap, easy and simple things that slowly promote racquetball. The first step is to change your attitude and work WITH the clubs, not to complain. Thanks for taking the time to read this, Jordan

Subject: Re: Interview letter Date: 19 Oct 1999 01:32:53 GMT From: (JordanISRA) KATHY! Gee, I DIDN"T READ THE WHOLE THING! Imagine what a club manager will do with this! Looks too much like a "form" letter. Keep this and USE this idea (your info only) for AFTER meeting club director! GO TO THE CLUB! DO NOT WRITE! If YOU are really INTERESTED, stop by the club, pick up club info, and ASK who is in charge of racquetball and WHO is the manager. Ask to SPEAK to these people IN PERSON! (will save everyone time). Pick a TIME OF DAY that is slow to keep their attention. DO NOT, DO NOT- I repeat, DON"T send any letters FIRST! (BUT…) You could always save the time and energy, add intrigue and credibility by sending a professionally printed "post card" explaining that a "*Racquetball Programmer" will be contacting the manager soon. *This is WHY I wanted to know the details from the USRA for rights of logos (AmPRO & USRA) when doing brochures! Kathy, don't forget to have REFERENCES, like other club managers to vouch for you! Good luck (think positive) Jordan PS. Most guys will hire you based on your looks alone ;) Kathy wrote (snip)> >With respect to my previous question about programming: Here is a >letter I was thinking of sending out to the 13 or so clubs in the area >to try and get an interview.

Subject: Re: Grow the sport!?! Date: 18 Oct 1999 01:41:44 GMT From: (JordanISRA) No, that's NOT what needs to be done to promote and grow racquetball! Reasons: 1) Racquetball Can't Afford It. 2) Racquetball Can't Afford To Purchase or Get Sponsors for "Expensive" TV Time. 3) Racquetball Can't Grow Enough To Justify Its "Olympic" Status for A Few "TV" Hours Every 4 Years. If you owned a small business, you could always advertise on TV. But it will "break" you because the cost is higher than the return! That's why most TV advertisement is for regional and national businesses. Racquetball is "small potatoes" compared to other televised sports. What will grow the sport is an organized plan that has national sponsorship at lower expenses than TV fees. Look at kids soccer programs! Most are non-competitive practice games to get kids playing and have fun. There is a national office that is associated with local communities. There are millions of kids playing soccer, all without TV time, portable courts or Olympic status. It just takes knowledge of HOW to start from scratch with NON-tournament events! Racquetball will NEVER grow by promoting the TOURNAMENTS or PRO players! (Most PRO Racquetball players understand this) Racquetball will only grow by involving NEW players in local facilities! Racquetball and soccer share one common trait, people rather play than watch on TV. Soccer is too slow and racquetball is too fast- but both are fun to participate in at non-competitive levels for new players! Jordan Dave wrote> Good point. Even though it cost $25,000 to transport the court, isnt's that what we have to do to try and grow the sport? It seems to me that we should use the glass court that is used in Memphis for other purposes other than letting it sit in Memphis all year until the U.S. Open comes again.

Subject: Re: Grow the sport!?! Date: 16 Oct 1999 20:23:31 GMT From: (JordanISRA) Dave, nice idea, except few people know that the cost for "transporting" the portable court is $25,000. So much for that idea. It is NOT how to get people to play as much as it is HOW to retain people that try. Example, I can have 50 kids in a clinic, but not many will suddenly join the facility or start paying a $10 court fee. The funny thing is all the owners and managers say these "kids" can afford the court fees! Hey, when I was a kid, my parents could also afford the fees, but they told me it was too expensive! Kids parents will tell their kids to play other FREE activities such as basketball, or open gym time. Before you promote ANYTHING, have working plans (flexible) that can be implemented to PROGRAM what you are promoting! CATCH- Most clubs ARE NOT racquetball clubs and will force high fees to non-members, or have very high membership fees to someone that is not sure if they will even continue playing! BTW: Forget the teenagers and college kids (for now). Concentrate on the 4 - 10 year old kids, for they have the least activities to select from to play and their parents will be more inclined to pay for programs. Best Part- this younger kid's stay with a program longer, thus creating the teenager and college player market! Very few college players (who play free at school) can afford a club after leaving school. I don't understand why people think PRO PLAYERS are needed to promote the sport? Heck, I teach the opposite way. I could show off, but the kids won't relate to watching me, they rather play. Anyway, to a Novice, a C player is a PRO! Jordan PS. The way to promote racquetball, the way some clubs did in the 70's, is to have weekly social beginner nights with all equipment provided and someone to show and introduce players to other players. Free instruction available to those beginners that need it. Charge $7 per person and provide snacks. Program this during "Dead Times" and KEEP IT GOING all year! There will eventually be an increase of members by "WORD OF MOUTH". - This works at any club, regardless of size, age or level. Dave wrote> In between RB games this evening, the person I was playing mentioned an idea that she had. Shari Coplen, said that what was needed to get more people involved with RB, the powers that be needed to have the top ten RB players go around major cities in the U.S. with the portable court, and set this up in malls. Most major malls have at least one place in them that we could setup the glass court, have seats and show what the sport is all about. Malls have a lot of kids hanging around in them, along with parents and older adults. This could be done on a 5-6 week schedule. If this is too often then do it on a 8 week schedule. Think of all the people that would see this sport demonstrated. I can think of three malls here in St. Louis that could pull this off. Have the top players from each region attend. Do this from Thursday through Sunday or Saturday. You could have a mini-tournament in quite a few major cities. You could have demonstrations, lessons, play with the pro, show off all of the different type racquets. The next question is how do you pay for this? You could get all of the major RB companies that sell equipment put into a fund to pull this off. Seeing Ed's resonse about going after all the major colleges around the country, was a very good idea. Ed, I am trying to get something going with the folks out at KCU out in Kansas City. Racquetball is picking up here in the St. Louis area. I was at a tournament out in Georgetown, Kansas a couple of weeks ago. I was listening in on a conversation between 3-4 older men in their 45-55 age group. They were saying that they did not have any program like the one that Jim Murphy runs in the St. Louis area for high school kids. There weren't any young kids taking up the sport in the KC area. Something needed to be done to get some new/fresh blood into the sport. They are running out of good/different players to play RB with. Dave St. Louis

Subject: Re: to sanction or not to sanction Date: Sat, 16 Oct 1999 00:03:18 -0700 From: mdavern I see two very good discussion points in this thread. The first is by Jeff Anthony. He says: > ...The other thing is the magazine/merchandising aspect. Is it unreasonable > to ask $20 ($15?) for a yearly magazine subscription? What if it came with > a few other goodies and a USRA membership#? This goes along with my thinking. How do we increase racquetball membership? By making the membership value increase for non-tournament players. I would like to see ideas how we might do that. What types of things could Linda cover in the magazine different than what she is covering now, that would make a difference (if any)? What could state organizations do that would mean anything to club players? The other poster than hit it on the head was Bruce. He writes: "... most of the people at our club who want to play in tournaments ante up the $20 USRA membership. Most of the rest aren't going to play, even if it is free (I know, because we once ended up trying to give entries away to one of our non-sanctioned events to make a decent draw)...." I think we have two different membership groups. Can we serve them both? Should we even try. Perhaps we should work with our current tournament player membership, try to do a better job there and just work to grow our junior programs as Ed suggests. Thoughts? As to Kathy's excellent attempt to work through a 1/2 sanctioned tournament, I think that Bruce has it nailed. It doesn't come down to the cost. It is weather they can give up a weekend with the kids playing soccer, football, basketball, the honey-do list, work, etc. Jordan's idea is also a non-starter. Why bother? What good is a $3.00 membership to us anyway? Taking it down to its lowest level, the Illinois State Racquetball Association needs more members so that we can run better tournaments, promote our activities better, have better junior programs. All of this takes money!!!! We need the $7.00 per head. Simple. I am not looking to increase head count just to say we have more "heads" as a member. (Unless they are playing for HEAD :) We should try to improve recreational membership to grow the sport. If we grow the sport we can get more tournament players. The more tournament players the more fun we have at tournaments. Mike Davern

Subject: Re: to sanction or not to sanction Date: 16 Oct 1999 06:24:57 GMT From: (Peter Mcmillin) wow kathy. i just went thru all the shit you list... i offered discount memberships to usra. i paid half. i got 6 extra people to sign up....out of a dismal 48 total. i lost my ass....well, at least a part of it. and those of you who know me (read that steve edwards) no comments on the fact that i may be able to lose some of it and most not notice. i made mistakes. i wanted a big draw. i paid big bucks for open. i even offered equal pay for women if i had a full draw....(only 8) i had a poor draw, only 9 in mens and 5 in womens. *I* see the light too about usra. there has to be a galactic headquarters someplace to do this stuff. i know it is a ton of work and not much credit goes to the people trying to do their best.....(yes linda, that is the sound of me kissing your ass). >Another Problem: Racquetball has a marketing problem. Sponsors are >underwhelmed, dropping like flies because the Market (not the tournament > player, but "people that care about racqetball stuff") is small. The >market is also divided. One part needs more commercial revenue. i asked pk to help me with the tourney. they wanted to see the damn entry form...it did not have pk on it. duh????? they were not a sponsor. if i had put them on it, they would have considered helping me out. bfd. i asked them to give me prizes for juniors. i asked them to give me banners. i asked them to give me t shirts. i asked them to give me a racquet or two. "sorry, hq marketing said no as we are not on the entry form." perhaps my fault because i did not get it to pk two months before the tourney...hey. i have a life too, and this took up a ton of time. and i was not able to do as good a job as i should have. i sent out 1300 flyers. the first tourney of the season. to oregon, wash and idaho.....i got 48. and even worse, only 8 from this area....and i was one of them... good luck in your endeavors...i tried really hard.... but, you know the sad part about it? i am going to have another, first weekend of april....and this time, i may even get it to be an irt satellite..... well, as they say...no brain, no pain... peter

Subject: Re: How to increase racquetball& USRA memberships Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 22:17:52 -0700 From: mdavern Of all our NG topics, I have to say this is my favorite one. This is the topic that keeps bringing me back here. The answer to the lack of growth in racquetball is so obvious that even the "hated" Dropshot has it EXACTLY correct. (I can't believe that I am saying this!!!). I also have to once again thank Mr. Ross for bringing up the subject. (And by the way Kathy..I have always agreed with 100% of everything you have ever said...especially when you agree with me :) First of all Mr. Ross: Even if you think that a rule change will help the sport grow, I have to say that you need someone at the club to teach the new rules. It's programming again!!! Drop finally has it right, as he said: "YMCA's and JCCA's are were racquetball began, because they know how to program. When racquetball left these institutions for the more ambiguous AARA, guess what. Racquetball participation starts to drop. Why? no programming, just "National Events". I am not going to blame the AARA. Racquetball left the Y's to go to racquetball-only clubs. The existence of the AARA has nothing to do with programming or the lack thereof. Court owners put up courts left and right and, as a result, supply went through the roof. Still, demand at that time was stronger. People would come to play, even when they had to pay for court time. For a very short while, it must have been a license to print money. There was no need to program for racquetball and the clubs could charge for court time. You had to play to join the club and pay monthly as well. If I remember correctly, their were no aerobics. Their were no weight machines (free weights only). Unfortunately, that business model fell apart very quickly. Too many clubs were built and other activities were added that could draw the interest of potential racquetball players. As I recall, even Drop has said it takes two individuals of about the same level to really have a good time playing a full hour of court time. Drop, if you want to point to an organization that killed racquetball, it might be the local Bally's. Bally's, which would do no programming, killed racquetball with a different business model and eliminated the profitability of any nearby racquetball club. Fancy neon lights, dancing girls, exercise machines, sexy commercials. High traffic. Sign 'em up and let them disappear. Keep paying on that contract, though. If you can only afford to join one or the other club, you join the Bally's. Hey they even got a racquetball court or two. We can play there (you think). Membership spread out, players disappeared. No programming. No racquetball. End of story. Except for the 1.5 million of us committed core players (if that is the right number...I forget the most recent numbers I saw.) Now supply of courts has to shrink to meet that core demand. We also might have a chance to grow the sport a bit by teaching remaining clubs that it takes work, and lots of it, to run a successful club. It is a shame that the customers have to teach the owners what it takes to run a club, but that appears to be the case. If the owner doesn't play racquetball, all they see is empty space and the need to put up a climbing wall so that they could charge that court time by the hour. It the meantime, leagues are not organized, there are no challenge court nights, there is no racquetball co-ordinator position, their are no clinics, etc. I like Kathy's idea of using the NG to point out clubs around the country that are doing it right. The AmPRO programming manual has a step-by-step system showing how to program. I think it would be a great idea to point out these clubs anyway. Maybe the state organizations can put together a program to recognize individual clubs doing it right in their newsletter or with annual recognition awards. This would be a great idea for Illinois. Drop had another comment I totally agree with: "That is why I keep telling people to forget about the USRA and concentrate on there own local racquetball associations." That is what I have been saying. The USRA is there to run the sport at the top level. Their job to to publish the rules, promote tournaments, work the Olympics. Help some in the effort of teaching programming through AmPRO manual. (There job is not go into clubs to tell them what to do.) When you think of it, not that different from the job of the NBA. The NBA has nothing to do with my local basketball league or pick up games. The sport is so big, no one even thinks of the NBA in those terms. Our state organizations need to pick up the ball. Push programming at the state level and point out to clubs the benefits of programming for racquetball. We need to run programs to make our $20 fee worthwhile to club/rec players. This is too much agreement for me in one post...I have to go lay down and recover. Kathy with good and simple ideas, Drop making sense. What is this world coming to? Mike Davern Dropshot25 wrote: > .Dear Kathy you are completely correct. > But Mr. Ross has something going that needs to be examined. I think that it > would make the game much more competitive for more styles of play. More > inclusive is the word that comes to mind. > Now back to programming. If you can program you can start your own racquetball > program. YMCA's and JCCA's are were racquetball began, because they how to > program. When racquetball left these institutions for the more ambiguous AARA > guess what. Racquetball participation starts to drop. Why? no programming, just > "National Events". > The little guy has to come to realize that the USRA does no programming on the > local level and they do not reward anybody who does, unless they give the USRA > all the credit. That is why I keep telling people to forget about the USRA and > concentrate on there own local racquetball associations. If you do, you will > know what it takes to maintain your own associations and maybe collect your own > dues. Don't , I repeat, don't depend on the USRA for programming, do it > yourself the results and rewards will be much better. > Dropshot25

Subject: How to increase racquetball& USRA memberships Date: 03 Oct 1999 01:16:12 GMT From: (JordanISRA) Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com Newsgroups: alt.sport.racquetball Linda wrote in her "Sept. - Oct. 1999 Racquetball Magazine FROM THE EDITOR: Where are They?" >You know, players who don't even know that there is any organized structure for the sport they enjoy? Don't know their "Gee-neology?" [Gee, there's a national office? Gee, and a state association? I can buy an official rulebook? A magazine? Attend major tournaments? Gee!] If we accept the most-conservative data, which sets the number of regular racquetball enthusiasts at roughly nine million, we're left with about 8,975,000 long-lost relatives wandering around looking for the picnic. How do we invite them? The Jordan reply (The answer is in the first sentence- "players who don't even know that there is any organized structure for the sport they enjoy") The question should really be; If players already "enjoy" the non-tournament USRA events they are active in, why should they pay a $20 USRA membership? Maybe the USRA should offer non-tournament events "at a affordable price" that 8 million players will be interested in. Here is a quick, simple and inexpensive "Jordan Suggestion" to tap into the existing 8 million racquetball players. Charge a $3 one year "RECREATIONAL" USRA membership that will create thousands of new members by offering non-tournament recreational programs, such as "Challenge Courts", "Mixers" and "Clinics" . The USRA official "Athlete Insurance premium" is $1.92 per person. The USRA membership card is $1 per person. This equals a total of $2.92, which certainly can be covered by a $3 fee. The new membership cards can be coded or printed so there is no confusion between full and recreational memberships. This $3 membership would not include the Racquetball Magazine, Competitive License for tournaments or State Newsletters. What this fee will include is the opportunity to participate in State and National Sanctioned "Recreational Events". Example… USRA Challenge Mixer Saturdays 9am - 11am at "the Racquet Club" Racquet Club members Free, USRA Members $5, Non-members $8 ($8 fee includes USRA "Recreational" USRA 1 year membership that allows for "membership" in USRA Recreational programs) The example above shows exactly how easy it is to increase full USRA memberships from creating "Recreational" memberships that are easily upgraded to full USRA $20 memberships once a players interests is "sparked". Question 1) the host club (the Racquet Club) just dished out $3 per non-member that they could have kept. How does a club benefit by giving away $3 to the USRA? Answer 1) the host club benefits by having the local State Association help promote the CLUB through the state newsletters and members "word of mouth". Since most players get involved from a friend who already plays or is a USRA member. Plus the state can send instructors and staff to help run these events, saving the club expensive pro fees. The club also creates a quick "cash flow" while keeping their club members happy with new players to meet and play. The club will benefit most by offering programs to "new" players who purchase "club memberships". The state association can add these new "USRA Recreational members" and provide local clubs with mailing names when hosting USRA Recreational events. Of course the postage would be paid by the host club at no additional cost to the local state association. Question 2) What does the state association get? Answer 2) The local state association gets new names for mailings they can offer to host clubs. New state memberships from upgraded "full" USRA memberships after "Recessional" members have met existing members and want to start playing tournaments or receive other full USRA membership benefits. The example of a "Challenge Mixer" can be used as a weekly event or special one time event for many different types of racquetball programs. But the idea is the same. If the 8 million recreational players are not interested in tournaments, the USRA should offer the 8 million players what they already are interested in- recreational programs. Jordan

Subject: Re: How to increase racquetball& USRA memberships Date: Sun, 03 Oct 1999 16:51:29 -0600 From: Linda Mojer A "recreational membership" was offered several years ago and *included* a magazine subscription for a $3.00 fee. State associations/volunteers (who were charged with collecting fees/accounting, rosters and other paperwork *on top of* their other volunteer duties) were quickly overwhelmed and it was soon found that the administrative responsibilites/costs could not be justified, so the program was phased out. Without local support, such a program cannot be handled directly by the national office. The current direction of AmPRO is expected to fill the "club void" more and more in the coming months, as the USRA proceeds with an ambitious plan to place an AmPRO certified professional in every racquetball facility nationwide. It would then become those AmPRO professionals who would serve as official "conduits" of USRA program information and provide the type of "alternative" racquetball opportunities you have described. AmPRO holds great promise for reaching the recreational playing population, and you'll read more about the USRA's plans in this area, in the magazine, as they develop. -- Linda L. Mojer USRA Associate Executive Director/Communications Managing Editor, RACQUETBALL Magazine http://www.usra.org & http://www.racqmag.com

Subject: Re: How to increase racquetball& USRA memberships Date: 04 Oct 1999 01:47:13 GMT From: (JordanISRA) Linda, I officially propose that it is time for the USRA to start a new "Recreational Branch" of the USRA with the single mission to promote Recreational Racquetball through facilities. This should not be confused with AmPRO, which after several years has not shown much success promoting new players (since the instructors already did that without AmPRO certification). The USRA is too busy running tournaments and trying to get racquetball into the "Olympics" and AmPRO has its own problems just trying to get instructors certified. Linda, your post to my suggestion on "Recreational Memberships" sounded like an excuse, or poor decision making of "phasing out" the "Recreational membership" program. Why didn't USRA management look for help with the "paperwork" from outside TEMP business sources? If you are in the business to promote, being "overwhelmed" is a GOOD! Sure it would cost extra, but wouldn't it be worth it? Strange that the USRA promotes the "Portable Glass Court", "Olympic (dream) Racquetball" and the US Open in hopes to create new members in the future- but discontinued a "known" proven successful plan that DID increase new memberships! Maybe the USRA could contract an outside business to handle memberships during this promotion. The membership card is just paper, worth pennies, first class mailing is under $.35, so estimate $.50 per card left over to pay a person to enter data. USRA figures list membership card costing $1 each. At 30 cards an hour (data entry), that's $15 per hour to pay someone to do the work during peak times. The USRA can always hire "TEMP" workers to do the work when needed. Jordan PS. Recently the USRA had a plan to double its (25,000) membership by existing members getting one new friend to join. Even incentives as expensive as a whole can of balls were offered. WHAT was the USRA going to do when all these NEW membership applications started rolling in? The existing staff could now handle this promotion, but not the "Recreational Membership" promotion? Linda wrote> A "recreational membership" was offered several years ago and *included* a magazine subscription for a $3.00 fee. State associations/volunteers (who were charged with collecting fees/accounting, rosters and other paperwork *on top of* their other volunteer duties) were quickly overwhelmed and it was soon found that the administrative responsibilites/costs could not be justified, so the program was phased out. Without local support, such a program cannot be handled directly by the national office.

Subject: Re: How to increase racquetball& USRA memberships Date: Sun, 03 Oct 1999 22:09:44 -0700 From: mdavern Once again, I would like to go the opposite direction than my fellow respectful ASR'ers. Repeating my comment from a post several weeks ago, I feel that the USRA membership fee of $20 per year is worth it, just for the Racquetball Magazine and our state newsletter alone. In my opinion, the competitive player is receiving far, far above his/her $20 annual fee. We have dozens of people putting in hundreds of hours in Illinois to try to make the competitive player enjoy their racquetball tournament and travel league experience. I will continue invite anyone who feels differently to join us at the next board meeting, which is a week from this Wednesday. Just send me an email. All great ideas welcomed within our limited budget of $7.00 per player. As far as growth of our sport in Illinois, we have decided to tackle this bull by the horns. We do not have enough time at our once a month board meetings to do anything other than just barely stay ahead of next month's events. So we are forming a separate group of interested local players to meet outside of the ISRA board to discuss membership issues. As I see it, the problem is (1) not enough recreational players know that the ISRA exists and (2) we have to investigate if the ISRA is providing enough services to the recreational player. I am going to meet tomorrow (Monday) with several local players and board members of the ISRA to discuss ways to get the word out and discuss what additional programs we can offer in Illinois to improve the value of the ISRA membership. One idea is to host an ISRA membership night at local clubs. We would bring in sponsored players with copies of the USRA magazine, the ISRA newsletters and USRA/ISRA membership forms. We will have "play the pro" type challenge court activities. It is my hope that we can get a number of club players at each of these stops to sign up. I will give you details of this idea and others that we may develop at tomorrow's meeting. Mike Davern Team HEAD AmPRO Instructor Illinois Webmaster self wrote:

> Linda Mojer wrote in article > > A "recreational membership" was offered several years ago and *included* a > magazine > > subscription for a $3.00 fee. State associations/volunteers (who were charged > with > > collecting fees/accounting, rosters and other paperwork *on top of* their > other > > volunteer duties) were quickly overwhelmed and it was soon found that the > > administrative responsibilites/costs could not be justified, so the program > was > > phased out. > > Son of a gun, I never knew that. Interesting. I suppose it must have gained in > popularity SO MUCH that it was canceled before I had a chance to hear about it > down here in FL. Too popular. What a concept. Maybe rather than offloading > those admin costs to the locals, USRA could just provide mag to people at a > reasonable cost *directly*, and we could then read about USRA's Olympic efforts > in it. Perhaps the regular players could then look to RacquetBall Player > Monthly (tm) to find out all other non-Olympic RB info of interest to them? > Wandering even further afield, I wonder if all those local orgs might be > interested in just quitting the USRA altogether, and serving their local > constituencies, if they decide the Olympic-game game isn't their cup of tea? No > one know the locals like the locals, you know. Shoot, they already have the > facilities for the newsletters, the experience, the local club connections.... > heck, maybe time would pass, and they would someday decide to band together, to > share things of universal interest of PLAYERS. They might come up with a > National Ranking System....they might decide that an AMATEUR is defined as: "A > player who has not accepted prize money." (Pretty simple concept, one that is > far too unsophisticated for the Olympic-driven USRA, naturally. But we yokels > in the sticks DO have odd ideas....) Oops, sorry, I seem to have wandered off > in a reverie. Must be time for bed. > > Greg "Visions of Empowerment Dance in their Heads" Stoner > > P.S. I wonder how the EQUIPMENT MAKERS feel about the unquenchable quest for > Olympic glory at the cost of the game in middle-America? Maybe *they* would > rather serve a large, upwardly mobile group of several million, instead of a > cloistered few "Let them eat cake" types... > GS

Subject: Re: How to increase racquetball& USRA memberships Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 10:37:35 -0600 From: Linda Mojer FYI: please remember that the ASR newsgroup is *not* recognized as the avenue via which to "officially propose" anything to the USRA -- send it direct if you are serious about making these suggestions. There cannot be any guarantee that posts to the newsgroup are even seen - much less taken as legitimate input - in the national office. I respond here out of courtesy. JordanISRA wrote: > Linda, I officially propose that it is time for the USRA to start a new > "Recreational Branch" of the USRA with the single mission to promote > Recreational Racquetball through facilities. > > This should not be confused with AmPRO, which after several years has not shown > much success promoting new players (since the instructors already did that > without AmPRO certification). That is *exactly* the direction that AmPRO is headed -- as I stated -- and the momentum that has begun (built on small successes over time) is what will make this program valuable. Utilizing these existing resources seems far better than re-inventing the wheel by starting *another* new "recreational branch." > The USRA is too busy running tournaments and trying to get racquetball into the > "Olympics" and AmPRO has its own problems just trying to get instructors > certified. > > Linda, your post to my suggestion on "Recreational Memberships" sounded like an > excuse, or poor decision making of "phasing out" the "Recreational membership" > program. > > Why didn't USRA management look for help with the "paperwork" from outside TEMP > business sources? > If you are in the business to promote, being "overwhelmed" is a GOOD! > > Sure it would cost extra, but wouldn't it be worth it? > Strange that the USRA promotes the "Portable Glass Court", "Olympic (dream) > Racquetball" and the US Open in hopes to create new members in the future- but > discontinued a "known" proven successful plan that DID increase new > memberships! This program was in place for several years, and it was phased out because it *wasn't* worth it -- it did not have the support of the clubs themselves or the recreational players who were not organized in any way (without someone in house to manage programs, i.e. an AmPRO certified pro). Those who were signed-up by their club did not renew, or upgrade their memberships to "full service" -- so it did not increase new membership. The program simply was not successful, so it was discontinued. > Maybe the USRA could contract an outside business to handle memberships during > this promotion. Perhaps with the income from a doubled membership base, we could afford to do just that ... > The membership card is just paper, worth pennies, first class mailing is under > $.35, so estimate $.50 per card left over to pay a person to enter data. USRA > figures list membership card costing $1 each. You are well aware that these figures are several years old. > At 30 cards an hour (data entry), that's $15 per hour to pay someone to do the > work during peak times. > > The USRA can always hire "TEMP" workers to do the work when needed. > > Jordan > PS. Recently the USRA had a plan to double its (25,000) membership by existing > members getting one new friend to join. Even incentives as expensive as a whole > can of balls were offered. WHAT was the USRA going to do when all these NEW > membership applications started rolling in? The existing staff could now handle > this promotion, but not the "Recreational Membership" promotion? Data processing is not the problem. Follow-up, renewal and management of local programs (ideal projects for AmPRO certified pros nationwide) present a much more involved responsibility which cannot be served by temporary clerical help. I appreciate the fact that you may want to re-visit previous projects by adding your own spin to them, but we do have the advantage of insights and collective experience over time to know what works and what doesn't. And we *do* spend a great deal of time in the discussion and development of projects which are meant to address just these issues. -- Linda L. Mojer USRA Associate Executive Director/Communications Managing Editor, RACQUETBALL Magazine http://www.usra.org & http://www.racqmag.com

Subject: Re: What do YOU do? Date: Tue, 05 Oct 1999 08:18:37 -0500 From: Ed Arias Hi Peter...let me first say that I think I misspoke a bit in my post. I didn't mean to imply that the AmPRO Instructors Clinic was not worth it...I think it sounded like it wasn't when I said, "I wasn't impressed with my AmPRO Certified Instructor" ranking or something. When I got back in the sport in '97 and started the UW-Madison Rb club, my main focus was how to LEAD a large group of young enthusiastic players. Therefore, the AmPRO Instructors Clinic didn't really apply as it teaches one to teach on an individual or small group level and focuses on how an Instructor can work in a court club and run racquetball programs. That's fine but my club already has a dedicated rb director so there's no place for me there...but I had to take the Instructor's Clinic before I could take the Coaching Clinic...so I did and passed it and waited...and waited...and waited...for 2 years I waited. Coaching Clinics would be scheduled and then canceled due to low participation or not enough Level I Coaches, etc. Finally, the Coaching Clinic happened and FOR ME...it was the best next thing to mom's chicken soup. SO...if anyone out there wants to get a rb program going on in a court club (that's deficient in this area)...the AmPRO Instructor's Clinic is more suited toward that end. But if you're interested in starting a Rb Club at a university or also a junior program at a club (or even at a high school...god forbid :)...the AmPRO Coaching Clinic is for you. However, you must pass the Instructor's Certification (somewhat difficult) AND the Level I Coaching Clinic (easy, take home stuff) first. At first I felt that you should be able to just take the Coaching Clinic without the Instructor's but after thinking about it...you do need to have a solid base of Instructor's skills for the Coaching information. Both clinics have there purpose...both are very good grassroots programs which target areas which need a rb leader...the court clubs and the universities/colleges. You may also notice that many successful rb clubs have the AmPRO Programming Manual lying around somewhere...another AmPRO program...more directed toward a club rb director. AmPRO is the USRAs answer to grassroots programs to begin making a positive change in the rb numbers and regain its popularity and accessibility in your area. Also...IMHO, AmPRO can't do it alone. For a long time, I have strongly felt that to increase "racquetball awareness" to the level it once was (and beyond), it takes a diversified "attack". AmPRO is the base and for me the "most rewarding" but we have to also support the "glitz and glamour" of the sport...the tournaments (esp. the US Open), the Olympic effort, our state associations and the USRA. If you can support one and not the others...that's great. But just sitting at home on your duff won't help. There are a lot of rb fans out there like myself who WANT to get involved...so GET INVOLVED. Pgmcmillin wrote: > > ed. get some sleep..then tell us about it. and cannot agree with you more > about how it is worthwhile. talked and played with dave azuma for a while. > and he says hi to you too former lt colonel. he also says you do have to much > time on your hands. > > dave is a great player. kicked my butt. except when we played doubs. then we > got one game outta 3. but he played backhand.... I met and played Dave at Nationals and I can tell you that I had a much harder time against Dave in the 40's than I did in the Open division. Dave is a very smart player as well as very quick and good execution. And he is also a great person as he is one of the leaders of the Oregonian junior rb wave...someone we could all learn a lot from. Tell him that I WISH I had "too much time on my hands" and next time we play I'll do better ;-) > i cannot wait till i take ampro again. and i will do much better. > > peter Good luck buddy but use your AmPRO skills (which many of us ALREADY have) now. BTW: Got an e-mail from Coach Winterton yesterday...he's already planning the next AmPRO Level II Coaching Clinic as well as beginning to plan for a Level III Coaching Clinic. I'll keep you all posted toward these future dates as best I can. Ed "you gotta have goals" Arias -- Ed Arias RaquetballCentral.Com

Subject: $3 Recreational USRA Membership Proposal Date: 06 Oct 1999 18:17:00 GMT From: (JordanISRA) One of the Illinois State Board Members read this idea and requested a complete detailed one page summary- here it is. $3 Recreational USRA Membership Proposal Jordan Kahn October 6, 1999 GOAL: To offer new and existing non-tournament recreational players convenient inexpensive exciting programs that will increase club membership and participation while increasing future state association members. PLAN: Allowing a $3 (annual) fee for ISRA/USRA non tournament events, such Youth & Adult Clinics, Challenge Courts, Social Mixers, Beat the Pros would allow a "door" to open up to smaller racquetball facilities that have few courts or have not offered ISRA/USRA tournaments because of the cost or lack of players at their facility. BENEFITS: Facility Benefits: 1) FREE ADVERTISING: by the State Association via newsletter to ISRA members and friends (guests). 2) NEW CLUB MEMBERSHIPS: program memberships or additional names for club mailing list. 3) FREE HELP: Experienced staff to organize, promote and run each event with or without help from the facility. 4) USES LESS COURT TIME: These non-tournament activities use very little court time. 5) NO ADVERSE EFFECT ON DAILY CLUB OPERATION: Staff and club members are not inconvenienced, unlike a tournament, which can effect the parking, towel use and overall "crowding" of the club by many non members for days at a time. Sate Association Benefits: 1) RETAINS EXISTING MEMBERSHIPS: More available programming to existing members. 2) RETAINS LOST PAST MEMBERSHIPS: Retains past and current membership that may be "out-of-shape" or have less time to practice for tournaments. 3) CONVIENCE TO PLAYERS: Caters to the individual that wants to play tournaments but doesn't have the time to dedicate a whole weekend or day. 4) MORE VARIETY OF EVENTS AVAILABLE: Instead of just tournaments, the state can now offer many types of programs, times, and fees to a larger market of non-tournament players. 5) LESS STRESS FOR EVENT DIRECTORS: These new recreational events can be a one-day event that takes only 1 or two hours. No difficult work planning advanced tournaments to large number of players, staff, sponsors, draw sheets, score cards or long work hours during a weekend tournament. 6) MORE WORD OF MOUTH BY PLAYERS: Many recreational players feel they are not ready for a tournament but will participate in non-tournament events. Word gets passed around of such events within a few weeks. 7) CREATES NEW STATE MEMBERSHIPS: New state memberships from "recreational" non-tournament activities. 8) FREE ADVERTISING OF STATE EVENTS: Advertising state association tournaments and events from more facilities. 9) BUILDS STRONGER BONDS BEWTEEN CLUBS AND SATE: Better communication between state association and facilities from proven effective non-tournament programs. 10) NEW RECREATIONAL MARKET: Opens up new women and youth market that may not be ready for tournament play. HOW IT WORKS: The $3 fee represents a "guest fee" to participate in non-tournament events. This is like a guest fee at a facility that allows a prospective member to try it out before they join. These "guests" will originate from four groups: 1) Club members 2) Club members guests 3) ISRA/USRA members guests 4) Non-club members WHY $3 (BUDGET)? The $3 fee represents the cost for liability coverage for one year from the national USRA organization, which also provides additional coverage for the host facility, participants and program staff. The $3 fee also includes an official USRA membership card that can be presented later for discounts on future participation in additional recreational events or an upgrade to full USRA membership. Actual costs are: Liability Insurance For One Year $ 1.92 Membership Card Plus Mailing $ 1.00 Total Cost $ 2.92 WHAT DOES A $3 FEE INCLUDE? The $3 fee includes only the liability insurance and membership card. Future discounts for various programs are determined by each host facility. The fee does allow for participation in all state non-tournament events. Includes: 1) INSURANCE FOR ONE YEAR during non-tournament state events. 2) MEMBERSHIP CARD, which can be used for, discounts and participation in non-tournament state events. 3) MAILINGS AND NEWSLETTERS of upcoming events at local facilities (paid by the local host clubs). WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE $3 FEE? Not Included: (But can be upgraded to the full $20 fee at any time) 1) COMPETITIVE TOURNAMENT LICENSE 2) RACQUETBALL MAGAZINE SUBSRIPTION 3) STATE NEWSLETTER 4) RULEBOOK ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAILINGS: The state newsletter will promote the $3 membership and upcoming events. Clubs may also request a mail list to for their own mailings of state recreational events. PAYMENTS: All fees will be paid to the state association and then sent to the national association. Receipts will be issued until a membership card is received from the national association. Data entry into the state and national computers as a $3 member. Event staff will have an updated list with all current state members. Event participants must show a current membership card, receipt or pay the $3 fee. EVENTS: Host clubs will decide on the type of events, event fees, dates and times offered. Host clubs must honor all state members at fees predetermined by state officials. --- I will be glad to share more information about this idea on request, Jordan PS> NG Readers, feel free to copy this (or print this) and send to your state or national association.

Subject: Re: $3 Recreational USRA Membership Proposal Date: Wed, 06 Oct 1999 23:21:43 -0700 From: mdavern Jordan has presented a $3.00 membership idea in an earlier post. Jordan, while I think that this is a nice idea, I would rather go the route of trying to give people their money's worth at the full $20 fee. If we can show value, I don't think we lose a single person for $17 per year extra. In my opinion, we don't have the time. people or resources on the $7.00 per person we get now from a membership to market racquetball effectively at the state level. Charging $3.00 for a lower level of services only gives us more people to deal with and even less money to reach them. I wish we could charge more and be more effective with that money. The one thing that you and I do agree on, is we have to find more creative ways to reach the recreational player. I think that our state organization does a decent job in reaching tournament players. Anything could be done better, but we do a good job putting on our tournaments. We need to reach the non-tournament player. Jordan, how many magazine subscriptions do you have that are less than $20 for a 1/2 year subscription? Money is not the issue. For non-tournament players, the issue is value. Can we provide a package that they would want with the resources that we have. Right now, everyone thinks in terms of tournament play. If you don't play tournaments, why join the ISRA/USRA? I hope that we can work together to develop a program that can meet the needs of the rec player without having to rely on anything else but what we have right here in Illinois. We do not need anything additional from the USRA to grow this sport and we are not going to get anything additional from the national office. So let's stop looking for solutions in Colorado Springs and find solutions that work in Champaign, Springfield and Peoria as well as the Chicago suburbs. (Geez...I'm listening to too many political speaches...) Mike Davern.

Tennis Across America http://www.uspta.org/taa.htm

Subject: Re: to sanction or not to sanction Date: 15 Oct 1999 01:26:41 GMT From: (JordanISRA) OK, I think we all agree that active USRA players think the USRA is a good value. The problem is, less then 1 half of 1 percent of all the recreational players care about tournaments- so there IS NO VALUE to non-USRA tournament members. The USRA is "trying to lead a horse (non USRA members) to water AND make it drink (pay $20 membership)." I am just "trying to lead the horse where its ALREADY headed!" I do think I would have a greater success. Hey, I already HAVE! I have created more racquetball players than the USRA has. I have created more USRA members then the USRA has. But that's only because the USRA is a organization that ONLY sanctions tournaments for USRA members. I highly doubt any person will go out and purchase a $20 USRA membership just to get a magazine or rule book without first having another player get that person interested in recreational play. Just think of what the USRA could do if they sanctioned and offered non-tournament events! Hey, just the current USRA member base alone will participate; any extra non-USRA members would be "gravy". Jordan Jeff wrote> >$20.00 is definitely worth it *if* you compete seriously (ie, if you >travel to play). It's worth it to know what's going on elsewhere, >especially if you might play there sometime; and for the organization and >consistancy a sanctioned tournament provides.

Subject: Re: membership up! Date: 15 Oct 1999 01:41:15 GMT From: " self " > I just got hold of our Racquetball Club membership roster for this > month. We are now back over the 250 mark for the first time in almost a > decade - up from just over 200 at the beginning of last year! Let's > see... carry the five... divide by 0... that's almost 20%! And this is > over a period of falling employment at our company (the Racquetball Club > is part of an employee recreation association - in the defense industry, > of all places). > > Maybe the rumors of racquetball's demise have been slightly > exaggerated. I am convinced that solid grass-roots (read club level) > programming is the key to our future success. Great news! But I don't know if I completely agree - that is, if 'programming' has to mean 'an official-type program'. I have noticed our local city-run courts filling up to capacity these days, and there is absolutely no support from the city other than providing the facilities; there is no club pro, no tourneys, no ladders, no instruction, no juniors, etc. In our case, just having a fairly upscale populace living near pleasant and reasonably priced facilities seems to be increasing the number of players through word of mouth... I guess 'programming' could only make it better, though! Greg Stoner

Subject: Re: kgeels alive and well! Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1999 21:20:05 -0500 From: "David A. Robert" Kathy/NG, In between RB games this evening, the person I was playing mentioned an idea that she had. Shari Coplen, said that what was needed to get more people involved with RB, the powers that be needed to have the top ten RB players go around major cities in the U.S. with the portable court, and set this up in malls. Most major malls have at least one place in them that we could setup the glass court, have seats and show what the sport is all about. Malls have a lot of kids hanging around in them, along with parents and older adults. This could be done on a 5-6 week schedule. If this is too often then do it on a 8 week schedule. Think of all the people that would see this sport demonstrated. I can think of three malls here in St. Louis that could pull this off. Have the top players from each region attend. Do this from Thursday through Sunday or Saturday. You could have a mini-tournament in quite a few major cities all across the country. You could have demonstrations, lessons, RB techniques, play with the pro, show off all of the different type racquets. The next question is how do you pay for this? You could get all of the major RB companies that sell equipment put into a fund to pull this off. Seeing Ed's resonse about going after all the major colleges around the country, was a very good idea. Ed, I am trying to get something going with the folks out at KCU out in Kansas City. We can either do something about our problem or just sit back and watch the sport die!?!?!?! Racquetball is picking up here in the St. Louis area. I have noticed more and more people start or take up the sport again. I was at a tournament out in Georgetown, Kansas a couple of weeks ago. I was listening in on a conversation between 3-4 older men in their 45-55 age group. They were saying that they did not have any program like the one that Jim Murphy runs in the St. Louis area for high school kids. There weren't any young kids taking up the sport in the KC area. Something needed to be done to get some new/fresh blood into the sport. They are running out of good/different players to play RB with. Dave St. Louis (Just my .02 cents.) kgeels wrote: > I, for one, am going to still try to actively espouse my > closely held > > views, but still try to give respect to others while I do it. Even > though they > > must be laughably wrong, since they disagree with me . I know I > haven't > > always done this, and I'm sure I'll 'slip' sooner rather than later, > but that's > > my current plan. > > > > Greg Stoner > > Greg - > I agree with you. I am also glad for Ed's presence, and would much > rather have him be here and be annoying than not be here at all. > Based on some of our non-public discussions, when responding to him, I > have two options: > A) patiently and logically review our differences (this is as > constructive as those Pig Flying instructions I've been given lately > while negotiating alligators in the swamp) > OR > B) sticking my tongue out at him. > > The pigs have got money, they pay well. Ed just gives me gas. > > Thanks for the feedback. If I said at the end of my posts "aw shucks, I > don't mean it, Ed's a great guy!" that would take all the fun out of > it. If he takes it in fun, that's great. If he gets pissed, that's what > I'm talkin' about baby! Then he can stick one more sig line on his card > - taught Geels how to street-fight with the best. But until I see a > seizure, I have failed. > > Kathy "peace, love, and understanding is for sissies" Geels > > Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ > Before you buy.

Subject: Have both Sanctioned & Non-Sanctioned tournaments! Date: 16 Oct 1999 03:49:36 GMT From: (JordanISRA) Have both Sanctioned & Non-Sanctioned tournaments! Has anyone, besides a Pro-Stop, tried a "USRA Sanctioned Tournament" at the same time as a "House Non-Sanctioned Tournament"? Example: 1) Have a "Sanctioned Tournament" for "Open, A & B" skill levels. 2) At the same time have a "Non-Sanction Tournament" for "A, B, C & D" skill levels. 3) Allow all first round losers of the "Sanctioned Tournament" to move into the "Non-Sanctioned" tournament if they lost the first round- a type of double elimination. Since most players don't care about consolation games or ranking points, but most players LIKE to see consolation offered, why not do BOTH! Instead of a Sanctioned Consolation round, all FIRST ROUND losers are entered into the Non-Sanctioned tournament. This gives more value to the Sanctioned Player while providing non-sanctioned players with quality tournament players without the sanction cost. If this is not allowed by the USRA, does this also mean a club can NOT let anyone else use the courts during a tournament? Jordan (opening a can of worms)

Subject: Re: Racquetball on TV? Why not? Reasons Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2000 01:52:17 -0800 From: "Paul Reynolds" Peter et al., While I commend you for your eternal optimism with respect to rball in the public forum. I believe that the rball populace is missing the point with respect to further development of rball. If the demand existed for televised rball it would currently exist. The fact of the matter is that development of the sport is the key. One can run a pro-stop, have 300 entrants, and still not develop the sport. This may be maintaining the sport, but the degree of development is questionable. So what do we do!!! Assuming that we are ALL motivated by the growth of the sport as opposed to simply increasing the exposure of the sport, it would seem imperative to me that we focus energy on further development. It seems to me that too much energy is expended upon what programming objectives that have been prioritized to be in the best interest of the association (USRA). Are these objectives also considering the best interests of the state associations? This, I believe is a very important question. For state organizations to prosper, developmental activities must be supported on the national level. What this means is that nation policies should support state efforts that seek to provide an environment that is both educational and challenging to the novice and the seasoned competitor. Now that one has created a following of the sport, television exposure is no longer an issue. Enterprising entities will be quick to fill this void. The point is: that if one is interested in rball as a spectators sport, creating a fan base on the grass roots level is the key to developing a demand for rball on television. Tracy Drury Washington Racquetball Association President Team E-Force and all around good guy!

Subject: USRA, Luke & R-Ball Promotion (my view) Date: 04 Jan 2000 21:54:55 GMT From: (Jordan Kahn) Luke suggests the reason for court conversions is because players buy shoes from non-racquetball supportive companies. The REAL reason courts are converted to other activities is MONEY at that particular facility. If a facility thinks they can please more members, attract new members and make more money, they would convert any part of the facility. Forget about the small number (25,000) of USRA members supporting these racquetball companies, target the 8-9 million recreational members to JOIN a club. By USRA numbers, there are 2,800 racquetball players for every facility (3000 facilities, 8.4 million players). Lets be realistic and bring the number of racquetball memberships to 600,000 (based on 200 members per club), and I am "padding" the numbers with 200 racquetball players per facility. Sure its great that the USRA obtained 440 new USRA members this year, but if all those 440 members WERE existing club members, this did not bring in any NEW CLUB MEMBERSHIPS that keep clubs from converting courts. The USRA, racquetball companies and clubs need to target non-club members to start playing racquetball and purchase club memberships. Eventually these new players will consume more "pure" racquetball equipment from racquetball companies. But the USRA only target USRA members for tournaments to promote racquetball. Last time I checked, most tournament players were existing club members. Until the USRA begins to offer non-tournament activities to clubs to help promote new club memberships, the USRA shouldn't dare begin to tell anyone how to promote racquetball. By the way, I believe I can speak for the average racquetball facility, be it a YMCA, Park District or private club, since I have worked for all and understand how they operate. My suggestion to the USRA, purchase more liability coverage for your non-profit organization and start using your players and contacts to host beginner free clinics and events to "non-club" and "non-USRA" members. This way, the USRA will increase more players, increase relations with clubs and eventually receive more USRA memberships (including increasing sales to racquetball companies). If I were a Racquetball company providing the USRA with funds, I would do so only if they USRA adopted a program as mentioned above to promote racquetball to non-USRA members. Jordan Kahn USRA Member & Racquetball Instructor Previouslyâ€¦ Racquetball Director of a YMCA Pro and Staff at a Park District AmPRO Certified On State USRA/ISRA Governing Board ---- CHANGING TIMES by Luke St. Onge, USRA Magazine Jan-Feb. 2000 Issue> If you were a business under siege by a competitor trying to undermine you or take your floor space (like spinning or kick-boxing) would you support that industry? Of course not! Yet every time a player selects a non-racquetball-specific product from a company that does not support racquetball directly, that's exactly what happens. Your dollars go toward spinning, kick-boxing, or the next fad that threatens your court floor space. It's like shooting yourself in the foot.

Subject: try again: Plans within USRA Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2000 11:39:25 +0000 From: Heather Fender I thought I would begin the new millennium with a brief description of some of the initiatives brought forth by the manufacturers and the USRA during the past couple of years. I have read with interest many of the comments presented in this forum and feel that this information may clarify some areas of concerns. Four years ago the USRA and the SGMA (Sporting Goods Manufacturer Association) initiated an initiative to stimulate racquetball participation within the USA. A meeting of the ‘minds’ was organized by the SGMA and almost anyone who had a position in racquetball was invited . . . all major organizations, club venues, IHRSA, ‘Killshot’ magazine, all manufacturers, professional and amateur players, instructors, and major people of influence (Marty, Hogan, Doug Ganim, etc.) The reason for the meeting was to develop a plan to stop the decline of racquetball participation and attract new people to the sport. After many hours of meetings, phone calls, and conversations, the group developed a three step plan - 1. stop the removal of courts within court clubs and develop a relationship with the club owner/manager. 2. develop a ‘major’ event to attract outside sponsors, develop credibility within and outside the sport. 3. have a full time or part time educated racquetball programmer in every club in the USA. The implementation and development of the above was left with the USRA and SGMA. The USRA would provide the information, manpower and expertise and the SGMA the funds to develop the programs. In 1995 the first phase was completed and implemented. Over 2,000 videos (illustrating two club owners talking about the benefits of racquetball to their club) and 2,000 workbooks (cookbook on developing racquetball programs) were sent to every IHRSA club that had courts and any other club designated by state directors. The effect was hard to measure, but the decline in participation did level off in 1996 and many of the clubs responded positively to the effort. Phase II was initiated with the U.S. OPEN, although some initial funding (three year commitment) was provided by the SGMA, the entire responsibility now lies with the USRA. The OPEN provided the credibility needed to attract outside sponsors and also injected a new stimulus to the sport. The ESPN production, although not at an ideal time, still provides expanded visibility for the sport. Phase III will begin this year with AmPRO and the manufacturers as major contributors. A plan has been developed by the USRA and manufacturers to infiltrate every club within the US with information and personnel. Thanks to Wilson, the original sponsor of AmPRO, who realized the problem and understood that an entire industry effort was needed to resolve the issues, and accordingly gave up their ‘ownership’ of AmPRO and opened participation to all manufacturers. Now, every manufacturer has committed to the following effort - 1. Every club with racquetball courts will be contacted by phone or personally within the next 12 months and surveyed. They will be placed in one of three categories - a) developed b) developing c) undeveloped programs. 2. Programs will be developed in the above three categories and individually taken to each club and presented to the club owner/manager. AmPRO personnel and manufacturers’ players will be implementing this phase. 3. Follow-up by the AmPRO person will be required within the next six months. 4. The second phase will be a similar program with colleges, high schools, YMCAs, and JCCs contacted. So as you can see, the USRA and manufacturers have actively been involved in attempting to promote and attract new people to the sport. Although many other projects have been introduced over the last five years - expanded involvement in the IHRSA convention, Leadership Conference, Ektelon/USRA club development program - the above combined industry program is, without question, the most comprehensive. I encourage everyone participating in this forum to continue their input, recommendations, and suggestions, and I invite inquiries at any time.- Jim Hiser -- Heather R. Fender USRA Customer Service

Subject: Re: try again: Plans within USRA Date: 06 Jan 2000 08:31:43 GMT From: (Jordan Kahn) I happen to instruct at one of the larger IHRSA member clubs in Illinois. Like 99% of all racquetball facilities, this is a multi-sport club with racquetball being only a small part of the total membership revenue. I had the chance to see the (IHRSA) videotape produced to encourage club managers/owners not to convert racquetball courts. The tape was very informative, if you were "pro" racquetball, but seemed too simple in its message, hire a pro and players will come and bring lots of money to your club. Well this particular IHRSA club had 2 of the top pros in the country, both experienced clinic instructors at the USRA Olympic level and both past Olympic Team players. Did it help the racquetball department grow? Not really. Why? The players that knew who the pros are were already playing, the recreational players had no idea and non-members never found out. Basically racquetball promotions need not be "instructing" players as much as "offering" new players and existing "part-time" players/members programs such as challenge mixers and challenge courts. Most new players want to try a sport out. This does not mean taking lessons or playing in a tournament. This does mean, borrowing equipment, reading basic rules and meeting other players to play. How can the USRA and other organizations help AND still increase memberships, players and sell equipment? 1.) Target test facilities around the country. 2.) Loan them FREE rental racquets, eyeguards and balls. 3.) Provide FREE posters, flyers, artwork and camera ready newspaper ads to promote racquetball. 4.) Club gets to keep all equipment FREE if they set aside FREE play days scheduled by the USRA in advanced. 5.) Clubs may use their own staff or have FREE use of local "sponsored" players and volunteer local USRA players. Now the USRA and other organizations are putting their money (funds & grants) where their mouth is- directly into the clubs to use to get new players on the courts. Funny how many tournaments there are with state volunteers working all weekend for the SAME few players? If half as much effort were to be used to run weekly "beginner mixers" at clubs you would increase the number of new players over 100%. The key is consistency, same club every week at the same time. Does the above work? Yes, I have done this at several clubs. It only fails when the club stops running these programs due to staffing, cost or lack of interest. Why haven't I continued to do this? Work. But my work NOW produces new younger players (and pays better). This year I have the opportunity to run these programs (mixers) at 2 clubs in my area. It will be interesting to see which club takes full advantage of this opportunity by offering these new players reasons to JOIN their facility. Earlier today I produced my first "photo-glossy" color mini poster promoting upcoming classes I teach. I already have a giant foam board display with flyers attached in the club promoting this weeks FREE CLINICS (13 offered) and next weeks start of group lessons. The "flyer" is a two sided letter size brochure with dates, times, and information on pre-school classes (2 levels), youth programs (instruction & teams) and adult classes. This is just the "winter" session flyer, which also includes 20 FREE clinics (13 first half and 7 second half of session). Last month our club challenge the next towns club to a 5 on 5 round robin. Flyers and posters were at each facility and both clubs had filled their teams plus waiting lists in just 3 days of displaying poster with sign-up. Not bad for setting this up for the first time and in only 2 weeks of advanced notice. This is all done on my own time with my own money. If I can do this without any "outside" funding or grants, surely the USRA, with all their "professional" staff can come up with a similar project. Jordan Kahn PS. The USRA sells "clothes" through the Racquetball Magazine, why can't the USRA sell "promotional" posters, clip art and generic brochure masters to clubs? Most YMCAs, JCCs and Park Districts would purchase these "tools" if there were contacted 9 months in advance to place on "next" years budget (that's how they operate and purchase in advance). **Gee, I should get into "promotion" before my brain explodes! --- > Heather R. Fender wrote> > USRA Customer Service > After many hours of meetings, phone calls, and conversations, the group > developed a three step plan - > 1. stop the removal of courts within court clubs and develop a > relationship with the club owner/manager. > 2. develop a 'major' event to attract outside sponsors, develop > credibility within and outside the sport. > 3. have a full time or part time educated racquetball programmer in > every club in the USA. > > > Phase II was initiated with the U.S. OPEN, although some initial > > 1. Every club with racquetball courts will be contacted by phone or > personally within the next 12 months and surveyed. They will be placed > in one of three categories - a) developed b) developing c) undeveloped > programs. > 2. Programs will be developed in the above three categories and > individually taken to each club and presented to the club > owner/manager. AmPRO personnel and manufacturers' players will be > implementing this phase. > 3. Follow-up by the AmPRO person will be required within the next six > months. > 4. The second phase will be a similar program with colleges, high > schools, YMCAs, and JCCs contacted. > > So as you can see, the USRA and manufacturers have actively been > involved in attempting to promote and attract new people to the sport. > Although many other projects have been introduced over the last five > years - expanded involvement in the IHRSA convention, Leadership > Conference, Ektelon/USRA club development program - the above combined > industry program is, without question, the most comprehensive. I > encourage everyone participating in this forum to continue their input, > recommendations, and suggestions, and I invite inquiries at any time.- > Jim Hiser > > -- > Heather R. Fender > USRA Customer Service

Subject: Re: Let me present a scenario Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 07:28:24 -0600 From: "C. Marvin" Ds.... the USRA is not selling consumer goods! This is that target group to which the 2% response to marketing refers. Racquetball is an "activity". As such, people may try the game and then decide if they like it or not. This ultimately influences their decision to continue. The goal of the USRA should be to get people to try it. Then it is up to the local state association and local club pro/players to ensure the newbie receives an enthusiastic welcome. Make sure they leanr and have a good time to ensure they return to play again. They do not need someone to wax their butts the first time out as this will totally discourage further participation in the game. Fundamentally, the problem runs deeper than just the USRA. Craig

Subject: Re: try again: Plans within USRA Date: Fri, 07 Jan 2000 08:55:55 -0600 From: Ed Arias Excellent post Jordan!!! 1. Like 99% of all racquetball facilities, this is a multi-sport club with racquetball being only a small part of the total membership revenue. 2. Basically racquetball promotions need not be "instructing" players as much as "offering" new players and existing "part-time" players/members programs such as challenge mixers and challenge courts. Most new players want to try a sport out. This does not mean taking lessons or playing in a tournament. 3. 1.) Target test facilities around the country. 2.) Loan them FREE rental racquets, eyeguards and balls. 3.) Provide FREE posters, flyers, artwork and camera ready newspaper ads to promote racquetball. 4.) Club gets to keep all equipment FREE if they set aside FREE play days scheduled by the USRA in advanced. 5.) Clubs may use their own staff or have FREE use of local "sponsored" players and volunteer local USRA players. I've heard of this being tried before...it was somewhat of a success in racquetball (clubs) across america. It's called bringing the industry together for the fundamental common good...I'm glad to hear from Professor Hiser that the industry is headed in this direction. Jordan, I think they are on their way...withall the problems you and I have faced in our own little "privately funded" promotions though, I can imagine how hard it can be for the industry to really make such an effort. But it looks like it's happening...but they need your help with great stuff like this. What I am eluding to above...the similar promotion I've heard of before (for those who are new) was a little effort called Racquetball Across America...of which Jordan was one of the principal instigators. Long story...and you've had enough of them for a while ;-) But this is what we need at the Leadership Conference...to pass to other states who don't have a clue. Jordan, I don't know what the situation is in Illinois...but you should continue to press them on trying more of this type of promotion out. Go to those board meetings and get heard...BUT PLEASE, try to work with people...don't tell them what to do and that there are no options to the plan. Give them a little at a time...you know how you can be sometimes...just ease back on the gas a bit ;-) Ed. Jordan Kahn wrote: > I happen to instruct at one of the larger IHRSA member clubs in Illinois. > > Like 99% of all racquetball facilities, this is a multi-sport club with > racquetball being only a small part of the total membership revenue. > > I had the chance to see the (IHRSA) videotape produced to encourage club > managers/owners not to convert racquetball courts. > > The tape was very informative, if you were "pro" racquetball, but seemed too > simple in its message, hire a pro and players will come and bring lots of money > to your club. > > Well this particular IHRSA club had 2 of the top pros in the country, both > experienced clinic instructors at the USRA Olympic level and both past Olympic > Team players. > > Did it help the racquetball department grow? Not really. > > Why? The players that knew who the pros are were already playing, the > recreational players had no idea and non-members never found out. > > Basically racquetball promotions need not be "instructing" players as much as > "offering" new players and existing "part-time" players/members programs such > as challenge mixers and challenge courts. > > Most new players want to try a sport out. This does not mean taking lessons or > playing in a tournament. > > This does mean, borrowing equipment, reading basic rules and meeting other > players to play. > > How can the USRA and other organizations help AND still increase memberships, > players and sell equipment? > > 1.) Target test facilities around the country. > 2.) Loan them FREE rental racquets, eyeguards and balls. > 3.) Provide FREE posters, flyers, artwork and camera ready newspaper ads to > promote racquetball. > 4.) Club gets to keep all equipment FREE if they set aside FREE play days > scheduled by the USRA in advanced. > 5.) Clubs may use their own staff or have FREE use of local "sponsored" players > and volunteer local USRA players. > > Now the USRA and other organizations are putting their money (funds & grants) > where their mouth is- directly into the clubs to use to get new players on the > courts. > > Funny how many tournaments there are with state volunteers working all weekend > for the SAME few players? > > If half as much effort were to be used to run weekly "beginner mixers" at clubs > you would increase the number of new players over 100%. The key is consistency, > same club every week at the same time. > > Does the above work? Yes, I have done this at several clubs. It only fails when > the club stops running these programs due to staffing, cost or lack of > interest. > > Why haven't I continued to do this? Work. But my work NOW produces new younger > players (and pays better). > > This year I have the opportunity to run these programs (mixers) at 2 clubs in > my area. It will be interesting to see which club takes full advantage of this > opportunity by offering these new players reasons to JOIN their facility. > > Earlier today I produced my first "photo-glossy" color mini poster promoting > upcoming classes I teach. I already have a giant foam board display with flyers > attached in the club promoting this weeks FREE CLINICS (13 offered) and next > weeks start of group lessons. > > The "flyer" is a two sided letter size brochure with dates, times, and > information on pre-school classes (2 levels), youth programs (instruction & > teams) and adult classes. This is just the "winter" session flyer, which also > includes 20 FREE clinics (13 first half and 7 second half of session). > > Last month our club challenge the next towns club to a 5 on 5 round robin. > Flyers and posters were at each facility and both clubs had filled their teams > plus waiting lists in just 3 days of displaying poster with sign-up. Not bad > for setting this up for the first time and in only 2 weeks of advanced notice. > > This is all done on my own time with my own money. > > If I can do this without any "outside" funding or grants, surely the USRA, with > all their "professional" staff can come up with a similar project. > > Jordan Kahn > PS. The USRA sells "clothes" through the Racquetball Magazine, why can't the > USRA sell "promotional" posters, clip art and generic brochure masters to > clubs? Most YMCAs, JCCs and Park Districts would purchase these "tools" if > there were contacted 9 months in advance to place on "next" years budget > (that's how they operate and purchase in advance). > > **Gee, I should get into "promotion" before my brain explodes! > --- > > > Heather R. Fender wrote> > > USRA Customer Service > 719-635-5396 ext.12090 > > After many hours of meetings, phone calls, and conversations, the > group > > developed a three step plan - > > 1. stop the removal of courts within court clubs and develop a > > relationship with the club owner/manager. > > 2. develop a 'major' event to attract outside sponsors, develop > > credibility within and outside the sport. > > 3. have a full time or part time educated racquetball programmer in > > every club in the USA. > > > > > > Phase II was initiated with the U.S. OPEN, although some initial > > > > 1. Every club with racquetball courts will be contacted by phone or > > personally within the next 12 months and surveyed. They will be > placed > > in one of three categories - a) developed b) developing c) undeveloped > > programs. > > 2. Programs will be developed in the above three categories and > > individually taken to each club and presented to the club > > owner/manager. AmPRO personnel and manufacturers' players will be > > implementing this phase. > > 3. Follow-up by the AmPRO person will be required within the next six > > months. > > 4. The second phase will be a similar program with colleges, high > > schools, YMCAs, and JCCs contacted. > > > > So as you can see, the USRA and manufacturers have actively been > > involved in attempting to promote and attract new people to the sport. > > Although many other projects have been introduced over the last five > > years - expanded involvement in the IHRSA convention, Leadership > > Conference, Ektelon/USRA club development program - the above combined > > industry program is, without question, the most comprehensive. I > > encourage everyone participating in this forum to continue their > input, > > recommendations, and suggestions, and I invite inquiries at any time.- > > Jim Hiser > > > > -- > > Heather R. Fender > > USRA Customer Service > > 719-635-5396 ext.12090 >

Subject: Re: HELP! We may be losing courts Date: 09 Jan 2000 20:26:25 GMT From: (Jordan Kahn) Organization: I worked for a YMCA for years, as a Director, then years later as a "part time" Racquetball Coordinator/Pro. The Y originally had 3 courts, added 4 including two complete lower level glass side walls, then eventually converted those four (panel courts) to fitness. Its not "how many members" play racquetball, but how many NEW members can be attracted with new programs. Stu, you mentioned 40 - 60 family memberships would be lost if racquetball courts were taken out. Sorry to say that is "small" compared to the number of new memberships that be generated by "fitness" conversions or even "organized" health care if operating with a existing clinic/hospital. Yes, I do know numbers, especially at the YMCA. I have spent many hours tracking court usage, members, classes, permanent court time, and challenge court and regular open play. It took me years to convince the Y bosses to make it mandatory for all players to "check-in" before playing. Not just the person who paid for the court, but "all" players, be it singles, cutthroat or doubles and I would enforce these new check-in policies since my office was next to the courts. We found many players not checking in because they were "non-members". Our guest fees increased about 25% for just racquetball players. I tried to explain to the players that "checking in" may be redundant, but this would help the Y understand how many members use the courts. I left after about a year and the Y immediately began converting those 4 courts. The main reason for conversion of the courts was to increase "fitness" space that was needed do to over crowding. Racquetball players seem to forget how many "fitness" people can utilize a racquetball court within the same time. Here are the "real" numbers. One racquetball court equals two racquetball players for one hour. One racquetball court equals 36 fitness users for one hour. This is based on three 20-minute cycles of 12 people working at one time. Now add afternoon (lunch), afterwork and yes, weekend times. Racquetball just can't compete. So forget about comparing "numbers", you will always lose. Instead, go after the "wide variety" of activities the YMCA offers to the community. Unfortunately, when "any" facility gets the idea to convert courts, it is usually too late. Good luck, Jordan PS. Don't waste time bickering with the Y. Start getting as many players organized to get a "group" discount at another racquetball facility. Money talks. Pull your memberships out as quickly as possible. This may not effect your Y, but another Y may hear how much membership revenue was lost and think twice about converting courts this way. --- From: "Stu Young" Date: Sun, 09 January 2000 09:44 AM EST I have heard/read all the horror stories mentioned hear about losing courts. I never dreamed it could happen to me. But now the club where I play, Courtside Athletic Club in Lynchburg, Virginia, is planning on closing its doors in about 2 years. It is not because the courts are under utilized. It is because the club is owned by an organization that is more focused on elderly rehabilitation. Now here is the kicker. Courtside is planning on leasing space at a brandspanking new YMCA being planned on the outskirts of Lynchburg. This ought to be great, racquetball began at a Y, of course the Y will include courts in its plans. Not so. The Y had a survey done in the area, excluding any club members, to determine the facilities people wanted most. Racquetball did not fare well. I must also mention this survey was complete prior to the announcement that Courtside would close. We have petitioned the Y, provided utilization figures, written to the board and the local paper, and we have also begged to get courts in the new Y. We have shown how the lack of courts will reduce membership anywhere from 40 to 60 single and family memberships. All to no avail, it does not look good so far. The Y's position is we need to raise the money to cover the cost of courts if we want them. What I am after here is suggestions, can/will the USRA help, can the Virginia State organization help, can equipment manufacturers help (many people buy ektelon shoes). Has anyone persuaded a facility to add courts and if so how? Is this a prime candidate for some USRA "Three Step Plan" Phase III support? We are just a small club, maybe forty active rball players. Not all are USRA members. The area though is big enough, with the right kind of assistance, to grow that membership. We just need some assistance getting it going, Kathy you up for relocation, Ed, Jordan, anyone. thanks in advance Stu "hoping to keep racquetball alive and well in Lynchburg, VA" Young

Subject: Re: HELP! We may be losing courts Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 00:02:02 -0600 From: Ed Arias MIKE D5172 wrote: > Just goes to show you that the Y, as a major corporation, does not care about a > small faction of it's members. We have three Y's where I live and two of them > keep their courts up fairly well while the third rarely does any maintenance, > ie. replace lights, court refinishing. And they even closed three of their > courts down. One is being used as a kiddy sitting room and the other two for > storage. I couldn't belive it when I saw it a few weeks ago. I'll never go > back to that Y again. This is one place where racquetball fails. Went out with a buddy of mine tonight and, of course, over a few beers and burgers...the stories start to flow. One story was that he was originally from another club here in the MadCity...but when the racquetball director went on maternity leave, part of the rb program went south...so he left for greener pastures (my club). Well, there club also took out a couple courts and the rb program has never quite recovered even with her back. This tells me just how important a programmer can be...here's a gal who went on a 6 month maternity leave and the rb program fell apart. If my buddy...who's sponsored by Wilson had stepped in and filled her shoes, this may not have happened. Course...my friend already HAS a life and it certainly isn't his fault. But perhaps one of the other sponsored players could have been in the right situation to do so. Next weekend...the Leadership Conference convenes and the USRA sets forth the third initiative for repopulating the sport...a lil'program called AmPRO. Incentives are going to