2008-2009

This year’s Junior Nationals was held in East LansIng Michigan at the Michigan Athletic Club. The MAC is an awesome 9 court facility that offers racquetball, squash, basketball, beach volleyball, outdoor racquetball, and a recreational pool with waterslides. Additional matches were held at Michigan State University ’s 9 court Intramural Building facility. This year brought 185 participants from 32 states.  

Florida brought a talented group of 8 Juniors ranging from ages 7 to 18, and the Florida Junior Team Coach Kim Roy. The Boys competing were: 18- Dan Lerow and Michael White; 16- Tim Lerow; 14- Sean Cooperrider; 12- Connor Feagle; and 10- Evan Wargo. The Girls competing were: 10- Jordan Cooperrider; and 8- Graciana Wargo.  

Our Juniors competed strongly against the usual powerhouse states of Oregon, Ohio, California, and the home state of Michigan . When the 5 day tournament was over, the Florida Junior Team came home with 11 medals, equaling last year’s count but doing it with 3 fewer participants.  

There were 2 national champions from Florida . Jordan Cooperrider was on the National Champion doubles team that won Girl’s Doubles 10- and Graciana Wargo became a National Champion by winning the Girl’s Singles Multi-Bounce 8- division. In addition, Jordan and Graciana qualified for the 2009 USA Junior Esprit Team. 

A special thanks to Kim Roy, all the participating parents, and to the FRA for their support.

(FRA): When did you first get involved in running programs at the Ocala YMCA & how were the courts

being used prior to that?

(Van Dyke): I started playing at the Ocala YMCA in the summer of 2006. They had the only 2 indoor

cement courts in good condition in Ocala. The biggest problem with the court set-up at the time was that

there were no windows to watch any matches. It resembled a "dungeon" back there. Since the courts

were so isolated, the Y was constantly dealing with issues of vandalism and miss-use of the courts.

(FRA): Can you summarize how racquetball evolved as you became more involved?

(Van Dyke): Here in Ocala, I saw an incredible amount of potential for racquetball. There was a core of

tournament players here already who played several times a week at another facility. As I got to know all

of them, I realized that starting a league here would not be that hard. I have been running leagues at

Gold's Gym in Winter Haven for the past 4 years, so I knew this would work. I spoke with the Executive

Director and offered my services of starting a league as long as they installed windows on both courts. In

December 2006, windows were cut out and installed.

(FRA): What was the effect of the glass panels in growing participation?

(Van Dyke): As soon as the windows went in, the attention the courts got was profound. The "dungeon"

stigma was immediately gone. The issues with vandalism and miss-use of courts were virtually

eliminated because everyone can now see what was going on in the courts. Since the Y followed through

on their commitment on installing windows, the 1st league started in January 2007.

(FRA): How many people are playing on the league?

(Van Dyke): The 1st league, we started with 40 competitors. We are about to enter our 5th league and

we are up to 60 competitors on 2 courts! We have 3 Divisions on Tuesday nights, 2 Divisions play on

Thursday nights. I know it sounds crazy, but it does work out.

(FRA): Please summarize the success of your recent tournament.

(Van Dyke): The Board members asked me to be a Division Leader for their Youth Scholarship

Fundraiser. The goal was to put a team together and raise $5,000. The only reason I took on the

challenge is because they agreed to let me run a small local tournament. I surrounded myself with an

incredible team of league players with diverse backgrounds and assigned tasks out to each of them and it

all came together so well. In addition to the tournament, we had a raffle and silent auction. The results

just came in and our team raised a little over $8,000 towards the campaign.

(FRA): Overall what factors were key in growing racquetball at this location & what advice do you have

for others that wish to grow the sport?

(Van Dyke): The first factor is getting to know the leadership staff at the YMCA. They could see that the

racquetball group (I call us "junkies") are passionate about the sport and want to grow it. They listened

and have followed through on their promises. What the Y gets out of it are more members, excitement

about a sport, membership retention, and a healthy environment for the members and their families. The

next key is involving your tournament players, especially the sponsored players. There is no way I could

do all this by myself. My family is first, work, then racquetball. All I have done is paved the way and help

keep us going in the right direction. I have to especially thank Ernie Macias for helping me start the

momentum. He had the same "vision" for where we were and where we need to be. Again, surround

yourself with good people and this is not a lot of work.

(FRA): At your tournament I met some seasoned players and newcomers to racquetball and all were

very excited about your program there. It would help to have some of their names for reference.

(Van Dyke): We have a great group of seasoned and tournament players here, I will mention some of

the key ones, but I bet I will leave some out and I am sure I will hear about it. Seasoned players: Ernie

Macias, Bruce Hawk, The Riddle family, Lori Pizzini, John Johnston, Steve Johnson, Thomas Consolato,

Kevin & BJ Donnelly, Greg Anderson, Doug Yonts. Newcomers: John Peloso, Kevin Potapow, Scott

Keifer, Huey Zirkle, Chip Dixon, Jamie Mark, John Dunn ...and more. All have contributed in many

ways...

(FRA): What are the plans for the future?

(VanDyke): Talk of adding 2 additional courts is still going on. Just like any expansion at a YMCA, there

are a lot of issues you have to deal with because every program is begging for money. Right now, I am

trying to balance family, work, and my love for the game, and keep this momentum going here in Ocala.

Don't be surprised if in the near future, Ocala becomes a HOT tournament spot.....

Interviewer comments: In addition to the interview questions, I spent the tournament day at the

Ocala YMCA to observe and talk to members, guests and the Y management. The new players

were especially excited about racquetball and their first tournament. All other comments were

positive and everyone was thankful for the efforts put forth by Rod and his team of peers.

Turning the “dungeon” into a ground swell of demand will certainly help with acquiring the

funding to add the additional courts.

Here's a look at the before and after shots of the courts at the Ocala YMCA.