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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 1980)
monday, march 3 19fin P3ge8 daily nebraskan ,m0 into the C03 rccquetbcllinto the C03 rccquetballinto the C03 rccquetballinto the 00s Racquetball courts provide conditioning as well as fun A v Photo by Mitch Hrdlicka Rod Orduna takes a swipe at the ball on one of the racquetball courts at Wallbangers, 330 P St, Orduna is Wallbangers1 teaching pro, EKTELON, LEACH, ALDILA 6 TRENWAY We carry the Magmum Flex & Marathon Graphite! We have the best in bags, gloves, balls, & eye guards. Don't forget about our fine selection of tennis racquets, also. WE HAVE THE EQUIPMENT YOU NEED AND THE SERVICE YOU LIKE DE Costa SPORTING GOODS Now open at Brandeis Lincoln J By Pat Bcecham People who find themselves sitting around and getting fat and out of shape during the winter months, but detest jog ging and can never find an open basketball court, may be able to find enjoyable exer cise on a racquetball court. Racquetball is enjoyed by people of all ages and all shapes. It is one of the fastest growing sports in America, and you don't have to be an expert to enjoy it. It is a pop. ular belief among the people that work at three Lincoln racquetball courts-the YMCA, Wallbangers and Sports Courts that racquetball is not just another passing fad. "I believe that racquetball is definitely here to stay," said Trudy McVay, coordin ator at Sports Courts. "People are more health conscious now than they every were." Jolleen Clymer, the women's physical director at the YMCA, said she also feels racquetball is a sport that will endure. "There are a lot of people around who are interested in their health and want to stay in shape. Sure, racquetball will have it's peaks and valleys, but it will survive." Carla Hiatt, one of the top female rac quetball players in the state, and a full time employee at Wallbangers, said she thinks people play racquetball for reasons besides conditioning. "I think that a lot of people play rac quetball because of a lack of things to do in the winter," Hiatt said. "It's also a lot more enjoyable than running." Although the racquetball frenzy is at its height during the winter, it can be played all year round. But according to Jim DeCamp, a member of Wallbangers, only the "hard core" racquetball players usually continue to play during the summer, "Racquetball dies off about 50 percent in the summer, The people that were play ing just for enjoyment during the winter go to tennis or Softball during the summer," Not only do people use racquetball as a means of keeping in shape, they also have such things as "racquetball parties" according to McVay. We have fraternities and sororities from the university who have racquetball parties out here. They rent the place from 6 to 12:30 at night for $200 and can play as many games as they want to ." All three employees agreed, however that racquetball is not dominated by the younger generation. They said most rac quetball players range between the ages of 25 to 40, but people in their 60s and 70s and handicapped people also enjoy the game. "I've seen people out here playing rac quetball in wheelchairs," DeCamp com. mcnted. For the more seasoned racquetball play, er who would like to compete for more than the price of a beer, Clymer said a rac quetball tournament can be found around the city just about every weekend. She said that different sponsors will put on the tournaments which are open to everyone and that the "Y," Sports Courts and Wallbangers will sponsor a city tourna ment starting March 28, People who reserve a court should do so in advance if you want to play at prime time. "We have a time between 7 and 8 ajn. when people can call in to make reserva tions for the courts. And by 7:07 all the good times have been filled," Clymer said. McVay said that the situation is much the same at Sports Courts. "Members can make court reservations seven days in advance. If they would lik? to play during the prime time in the even ing they4 would have tp call at least 36 hours in advance to get a court." At Wallbangers, Hiatt said a call about three days in advance usually is needed to reserve a court. The cost of getting started in racquet ball is really inexpensive. All you have to buy is a racquet and ball. From then on the cost would depend on how often you play, Anything goes in clothes The proper clothes for racquetball are anything comfortable according' to managers of local sporting goods stores, Bob Rosenberger, manager of Gerry's Sport and Ski Shop, J344 P Street, recommends gym shorts and a T-shirt. "More important than clothes are the kind of shoes and socks you wear," Rosen berger said. "A lot of people are wearing running shoes, which are not good for this particular sport." Rosenberger recommended either racquetball, tennis, or basketball shoes. "These shoes give good lateral support, and can hold up under the pivoting, stopping and starting motions of the game ," Rosenberger said . "A good athletic sock, either wool, cotton, orlon or similar material, is important," he said. Rosenberger said that since racquetball is a strenuous sport, taken up mostly for exercise, gym shorts and a T-shirt are really all that is needed, "Some manufacturers have been push ing glorified gym clothes, almost tennis outfits, but their sales have not made a dent," he said. Chris Vodehnal, of Lawlor's, UJ8 0 Street, recommended -'Fred Perry" shoes. "These shoes have a gum solewhich works a little better on the court " she said, In addition to good court shoes, Joleyn Stacy, manager of Stacy's Locker Room, 48th and Normal, advised eyeguards, sweatbands and gloves for the serious racquetball player. Lili-iSl'MW t t t A i ni' f. name:) snus mi O '.! -Z)