|
CHANGING TIMES
by Luke St. Onge
Having been with the USRA for a number of years, I have had the
opportunity to attend over 14 state leadership conferences here at the
Olympic Training Center. This years conference was very special,
not only to the USRA, but to the sport. Over 35 states were present to
take part in a jam-packed and highly-intense agenda. Sessions were
offered on liability issues, junior development, rebates, sanctioning
compliance, organic documents, media, RACQUETBALL,
Internet and web sites, tournaments, sponsorship, the dynamic
upgrading of AmPRO, a report on the new vibrant relationship with
court club owners through IHRSA,
as well as Olympic and Pan Am updates, and full presentations by
virtually all of the industrys leaders.
Basically, this annual conference has become the USRAs
national sales meeting and this years presentation was different
from those in the past. There was a notable absence of doomsayers ...
no apocalypse now types, who have permeated our sport over
the past 10 years. And why not? New blood, for the most part. Many
current state leaders have grown up with the sport and understand it
in a whole new light, quite possibly better than those in the past.
The optimism, energy, and excitement shown by these leaders in
the now are driven by the USRAs new look and
accomplishments, such as the broader focus of
RACQUETBALL magazine,
upgrading of premier national events, the unification of the
manufacturers in promoting the sport, the U.S. Open, ESPN television
coverage, 600,000 new players in 1996, the PAL program, and the
agreement between the IRT and the USRA.
Our vision and our dreams for the sport are becoming a reality. New
energy generated in the trenches gives racquetball a jump on its competition.
We have said many, many times that our volunteers are second to none.
What they need is the leadership and tools to make it happen. That
opportunity is now upon us ... where do you fit in? Are you a
doomsayer, an apocalypse now person? Are you a complainer who only
looks at the negative? Or are you part of the new energy, willing to
help bring racquetball into the mainstream of sport in the Americas?
Its your choice to become active and involved at a crucial time,
and ... lead, follow, or get out of the way!
Top of Document |
Table of Contents | RBMag
Homepage | USRA Homepage
© United States Racquetball Association -- All Rights
Reserved |