monday, march 3, 1C00
daily nehrccsn
P7
Ganime
ByTadStryker
RacquetbalTs popularity may seem like
a fad to some, but the sport's popularity is
constantly increasing, according to the
manager of a Lincoln racquetball facility.
"Racquetball is a sport stUI in the very
beginnings of a rapid upswing in popularity
which will last for many, many more
years; said David K. Putensen. manaeer
and part owner of the Wallbangcrs
Racquetball Club, located at 330 West P
Street.
There are many reasons for racquetbalTs
popularity increase Putcnsen said. People
get a good first impression of the game
because it's easy to learn, and fun to play.
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evt if you don't know all the shots or
techniques," he said. Matched against
another phyer of roughly equal skill, the
beginner doesn't experience the same
frustration he might by trying to achieve a
good score in golf or bowling. In other
words, he said, you can win right from the
start.
Those who have played for years
however, still find the game challenging
and fun. Roger Ilein, a senior from
Lincoln, who started playing four years
ago, says he likes racquetball because "it's
more physically exerting than lots of other
sports. It's a good winter sport, and you
don't need to get together two whole
teams like in basketball."
Reasonable costs are a mark in racquet
ball's favor. The most expensive piece of
equipment needed is the racquet itself. The
racquets, usually made of fiberglass, or
metal,, such as aluminum, cost anywhere
from $15 to $50 or $75 for higher quality
racquets to give you that extra competitive
edge.
Competition is a prime feature of
racquetball, but it's usually friendly
competition, said Putensen.
"It doesn't take a great deal of strength
or size, plus it's not necessarily a game
where a long background in athletics is
necessary," he said.
People of all ages can play, as long as
they're in reasonably fair physical
condition. Putensen said members of the
Wallbangers Club range from eight to 75
years in age,
People over 30 years old suddenly find
they aren't able to stay in good physical
condition with just their everyday
activities," he said,
"Racquetball offers excellent exercise
for the cardiopulmonary system, and for
many different. muscles of the body. It's
great for people with weieht oroblems-,
youll burn off twice as many calories per
hour playing racquetball as you will play,
ing tennis."
Besides these physical benefits, the
game offers a good way to release those
tensions and frustrations built up by a
week of never-ending hour exams and
English papers. You can whale the tar out
of a racqueball until you drop and never
once have to chase it across another court
or watch it sail over the fence and across
the street.
Putensen called racquetball a "fledgling
sport," but pointed out that since Wall,
bangers opened in August, 1978, over 900 '
people have become club members, 'The
sport is gaining popularity so fast it's
incredible," he said. "1 think it's going to
take four or five years before we even see
how much potential for growth racquetball
has."
Though there are professional racquet,
ball players in the United States, it's not
considered a 'Ynoney sport" like golf or
tennis.
"I think well see more tournaments
and more pro players making more money
in the near future "Putensen said, "1 recall
just a few short years ago that even the ,
most prestigious of tennis matches offered
only , five or six thousand dollars as first
prize."
The Nebraska' racquetball doubles
championships for both men and women
will be at Wallbangers March 14.16,
Putersen said.
Putersen even sees racquetball as a way
for businessmen to get to know their
clients better. Instead of talking business
'over the traditional golf game, why not
take them to the nearest racquetball court?
"Sure, you can talk while you're teeing
off" said Putersen, "but what happens if
the first guy slices into the right rough and
the other guy hits drive into the trees on
the other side of the fairway?" Now that's
a real communications gap.
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