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Racquetball courts provide
conditioning as well as fun
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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
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WE HAVE THE EQUIPMENT YOU NEED
AND THE SERVICE YOU LIKE
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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.
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