... Joe Sobek invents racquetball in Greenwich, Connecticut. He designs a “strung paddle racket,” combines the rules of handball and squash and calls his variation “paddle rackets.”

 ... The sport gains a following among cross-over handball enthusiasts .... Robert Kendler, president of the U.S. Handball Association (USHA), takes an interest in the game, both as a player and a promoter.

1960 ... Increasing popularity of the game attracts new players in all age groups .... Administrative structure begins to evolve.

1968 ... The First Gut-Strung Paddle Rackets National Championships held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin .... Joe Sobek turns sport over to Robert Kendler .... Bill Schultz wins first Men’s Open national title.

1969 ... Paddle rackets renamed RACQUETBALL .... International Racquetball Association (IRA) incorporated .... Ken Porco named IRA Executive Secretary .... First IRA National Singles held in St. Louis, Missouri.

1970 ... First metal racquet introduced by Bud Held and Ektelon .... Robert Kendler elected President of IRA .... 50,000 amateur players estimated in the U.S. .... National Singles held in St. Louis, Missouri.

1971 ... National Singles Championships held in Salt Lake City .... Aluminum alloy frames introduced.

1972 ... Inaugural issue of RACQUETBALL Magazine published in November .... First Pro Tour formed .... Chuck Leve named IRA Executive Secretary .... Fiberglass frames introduced .... National Singles held in Memphis, Tennessee.

1973 ... Robert Kendler leaves IRA to form National Racquetball Club pro group .... DeWitt Shy named IRA President .... Myron Roderick named Executive Director of IRA .... New age groups established in Juniors, Masters and Golden Masters .... National Singles held in St. Louis, Missouri.

1974 ... Membership requirement established for all sanctioned tournaments .... IRA holds first pro tournament .... IRA membership cost was $3.00 per year .... Number of amateur players in the U.S. jumps to 3 million .... National Singles held in San Diego, California.

1975 ... Tom McKie named IRA Executive Director .... IRA offices move to Memphis, Tennessee .... Official IRA patch issued .... Muehleisen, Porco and Sellers leave IRA board after five years .... Canadian Wayne Bowes wins Men’s International Open Singles.

1976 ... U.S. Racquetball Association (USRA) founded as rival amateur organization .... William Tanner takes over as IRA President .... IRA headquarters move to Dallas, Texas .... IRA membership fees double to $6.00 per year .... Seamco 444 becomes the official racquetball of the IRA .... National Singles held in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

1977 ... Racquetball becomes an American fitness rage .... Tom McKie resigns as IRA Executive Director .... IRA headquarters move back to Memphis, Tennessee .... National Singles held in Southfield, Michigan.

1978 ... IRA re-organized in Denver .... Luke St. Onge takes over as IRA Executive Director .... Bob Folsom named as President .... National Singles held in Denver, Colorado.

1979 ... Open ball policy adopted .... International Amateur Racquetball Federation (IARF) is founded with 13 member countries .... IRA changes name to the American Amateur Racquetball Association (AARA) .... AARA applies for U.S. Olympic Committee membership .... Graphite frames introduced .... National Singles held in Las Vegas.

1980 ... Keith Calkins becomes Board President .... Han van der Hiejden of Holland becomes IARF President .... Boron and graphic frames introduced .... Women’s Professional Racquetball Association (WPRA) and pro tour founded .... National Singles held in Miami, Florida.

1981 ... World Games I and First Racquetball World Championships held in Santa Clara, California .... U.S.A. wins first World Cup title over six other countries ....Penn introduces the “Ultra Blue” racquetball.

1982 ... AARA accepted as member of the U.S. Olympic Committee .... USRA organization folds .... RACQUETBALL Magazine sold .... AARA signs racquet sponsorship with Diversified Products .... Penn named official ball .... Paul Henrickson elected Board President .... National Singles held in Buffalo, New York.

1983 ... AARA headquarters relocate to Colorado Springs .... U.S.A. dominates first IARF Regional Games .... Downtown YMCA in Houston, Texas established as long-term National Singles site.

1984 ... First National Elite Training Camp held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs .... U.S.A. wins World Championships over 13 countries in Sacramento, California .... Ektelon introduces and test markets the oversize racquet frame .... Match rules changed from 21 points to 15 per game, with 11 point tiebreaker.

1985 ... Racquetball is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) .... World Junior Racquetball Championships added to Junior Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida.

1986 ... Mandatory eyeguard rule passed .... Twenty countries compete at III World Championships in Orlando, Florida .... U.S.A. ties with Canada to share World Cup .... Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) formed .... AARA membership dues increase to $10.00 per year .... Van Dubolsky named Board President.

1987 ... U.S.A. wins Pan American Championships at U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs .... First AARA National Leadership Conference held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

1988 ... U.S. National Team wins IV World Cup over 22 countries .... AARA televises its National Championships for the first time .... IARF drops the word “amateur” from its title and logo .... SGMA releases study setting the number of U.S. amateur players at 10 million.

1989 ... Racquetball granted full member status within USOC .... As 38th sport, racquetball makes premiere U.S. Olympic Festival appearance in Oklahoma City .... Random drug-testing of athletes instituted .... First World Seniors/Masters Championships held in Albuquerque, New Mexico .... First AARA instructional video produced .... AARA membership fees increase to $15.00 per year.

1990 ... U.S.A. wins V World Cup in Caracas, Venezuela, over 28 countries .... AARA produces and telecasts five national championships on cable television .... Keith Calkins named Board President .... AARA resumes publication of RACQUETBALL Magazine after 12 years.

1991 ... AARA telecasts ten national events on cable sports channels .... U.S. Team Alumni Association is formed .... Junior Team USA takes its first international title at the Junior World Championships .... Racquetball placed on the schedule for the Pan American Games in 1995.

1992 ... U.S.A. wins VI World Cup in Montreal over 33 countries .... National Singles celebrates 10th year at the Downtown YMCA in Houston ....

1993 ... AARA celebrates its 25th Silver Anniversary .... National offices move to new building in Colorado Springs.

1994 ... U.S.A. wins VII World Cup in San Luis Potosi over 27 countries .... New Skill Level National Championship introduced .... Competitive license fees increase to $20.00 per year ....IRF adopts “one serve” rule in international competition ... Van Dubolsky elected Board President.

1995 ... Racquetball makes its debut in the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina – U.S. National Team “sweeps” medal count .... Instructor certification program renamed the American Professional Racquetball Organization [AmPRO].

1996 ... Promus Hotel Corporation U.S. OPEN Racquetball Championships debut in Memphis with pros and amateurs in a single event, played on a specially-constructed “made for TV” glass court .... First live coverage of racquetball finals broadcast at World Championships in Phoenix .... U.S. wins VIII World Cup team title .... Nationwide regional weekend established .... AARA debuts two websites on the internet ....

1997 ... The AARA changes its name to the United States Racquetball Association, adopts new logo .... National Singles and Doubles Championships celebrate 30th anniversaries .... USRA rule change allows oversized frames 22” in length.

1998 ... U.S. wins IX World Cup team title, over 32 opponent countries in Bolivia .... Otto Dietrich elected Board President .... Skill Level competition added to National Singles & Doubles Championships ....

1999 ... Racquetball in 13th Pan American Games in Winnipeg ... U.S. Team sweeps medal platforms ... All five major manufacturers take part in title sponsorship of national event series ... RACQUETBALL magazine named official publication of the professional tours ...

2000 ... Canada wins X World Cup team title for first time over the United States, and 30+ other countries, in San Luis Potosi, Mexico ... Ladies Professional Racquetball Association formed, under the guidance of USRA ... One-serve rule in Open divisions adopted after multi-year trial ...  

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