NEW DIRECTIONS
by Luke St. Onge

Over the summer months the USRA has been busy negotiating with most of its current sponsors in drafting new and renewal agreements to support the association’s events and programs over the next four years. It is extremely important for the USRA to maintain a strong foundation of sponsorship support of its market assets over time, in order to meet its promotional and development responsibilities to the sport nationwide.

I am most pleased to report that virtually every sponsor has renewed their commitment, and that each has a solid plan to take a more active role in promoting their relationship with the USRA. Penn will remain as the official ball of the USRA through 2006 … continuing a commitment to the sport and the USRA that now extends over 21 years! Penn has clearly set the ball standard over the last two decades and remains the preferred choice of both the competitive and recreational player. The USRA does not take this type of long-term support for granted and would like to thank Head/Penn VP of Marketing, Kevin Kempin, for his vision for the sport’s future. 

In other USRA “official product” categories, Ashaway will continue on as the “Official String of the USRA” as it increases its position in the marketplace; Python Racquetball has re-signed the Python grip line as the “Official Grip of the USRA” for the sixth straight year; and Wilson has maintained it’s “Official Glove” designation. 

For event support, Wilson has also renewed its title sponsorship of the National High Schools, and E-Force has retained its title rights for the Intercollegiate Nationals for the fourth year in a row. ProKennex will continue to be named the title sponsor for the IRF Junior Worlds for the next three years. 

Both Ektelon and Head have an additional year left on contracts which come up for review in 2002, in both event and official product categories, and we hope to be able to announce similar renewal agreements with them this time next year. 

Lastly, the USRA has developed a new “official” category to support its merchandising efforts. RacquetballCatalog.com has secured the rights to market the USRA’s logoed apparel line, as the “official retailer” of the USRA. The company is based in Denver, and was founded by long-time racquetball enthusiasts Woody Clouse, Juergen Denk, John Foust and Steve Parker. In partnership with the Omaha-based specialty screen-printing company Artwears (owned by former intercollegiate national champion Rick Bezousek), RacquetballCatalog.com will become your source for all Olympic Ring/Racquetball apparel, as well as selected “official” styles of USRA logoed items.

We are very excited about each and every one of the prospects offered by this growing list of new and renewed sponsorship programs. We hope that you are as well, since it’s certain that — without the continued support of our sponsors — the USRA would be hard-pressed to continue its work promoting the sport that we all enjoy so much. I call on you to support these sponsors – large and small – by purchasing their products, and telling your friends about them. Look at the list of all of the USRA’s sponsors – you’ll find that no one else puts their financial backing specifically into racquetball. Be smart, informed consumers … who support those that support you!