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April 13th, 2012: San Diego, CA – It has been almost three years since an adaptive racquetball clinic was conducted at Balboa Naval Hospital for wounded service members. However, this past Wednesday (April 11th, 2012) Military Racquetball Federation (MRF) had the unique opportunity to a host a one-day racquetball demonstration in the Fitness Center (Bldg. 12) on base to several Wounded Warriors.

Special Thanks goes to the staff of the Recreational Rehabilitation Clinic (specifically, Ms. Marla Knox, Trish Betts of the Military Paralympics, and Maggie Hannon – Marine Liaison), who oversaw the demonstration, ensuring that the service members who participated would not stress any existing injuries. This event would not have been possible without the help and coordination of Mr. Jeff Stuart – the Athletic Director of the Fitness Center (Bldg 12). The day began at 0800 with a unit of Army soldiers who participated in the first segment of this one day event. Instead of the soldiers doing their standard PT session, they joined the staff of MRF to go through some basic racquetball drills to practice. Next, the soldiers threw frisbees to simulate a backhand swing. Then a group of 10 - 12 soldiers started hitting basic forehand and backhand drills in the racquetball courts. This session was broken up into 2 smaller groups where they could get more individual attention from the pro's / volunteers of MRF. Rhonda Rajsich – one of the top professional woman on the pro-tour of racquetball taught a Army group fundamental skills and strategy of racquetball, while Aaron Embry – who was a pro-tour competitor on the national pro-racquetball circuit and a certified instructor, took his group and showed them proper grip techniques for holding the racquet. Both groups merged together later to play a couple of games against each other. As these games were played, spectators within the gym started to observe the Army warriors with curiosity and respect for their abilities and courage. Many commented that they hadn't seen racquetball taught in this manner before.

Later that morning after about a 45-minute break, MRF had the opportunity to teach another group of wounded service members from several different branches stationed at Balboa receiving rehabilitative therapy. In the late-morning/afternoon session, there were members from the Marines, Army and Navy who participated in the demonstration. There were approximately 18 participants learning this new adaptive sport. The one thing that was a "game changer", was the use of a softer foam ball instead of the traditional hard rubber racquetball. These new softer balls were crucial in helping the students have more time to react to the ball.

Overall, Wednesday was a great day for racquetball and MRF because we were able to provide a new and different adaptive sport to some brave service members. We would have not been able to make this event possible if it were not for our sponsors, RacquetWorld, E-Force, and Ektelon. To all of our sponsors, we thank you for such an event.

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The Mighty 6th District OMEGA PSI PHI Fraternity, Inc. supporting our Troops with a major donation ($7,400 towards the RRC's in the Carolina's)!

Greenville, SC; April 29, 2012 – THANK YOU to the Men of the 6th District of OMEGA PSI PHI Fraternity Inc! On behalf of MILITARY RACQUETBALL FEDERATION (MRF), we can NOT say enough how Thankful we are to accept your monetary donation of $7,400 in support of our Rehabilitative Racquetball Clinics for severely wounded service members. As a non-profit organization, we have been in operation since 2009 to improve the quality of life of "WOUNDED WARRIORS" through rehabilitation. With limited financial resources, we have only been able to touch a few of service members' lives; however with this funding, we will now be able to fully continue our mission in North and South Carolina at several military bases. Our Racquetball Clinics is a means to promote physical fitness, increase morale of the service members, and to build a stronger support network for the service members' families.

This major feat of a national historic black fraternity to support our effort has been in the works for months. One of the fraternity's aim is all about community service and a couple of months ago, Steven Harper (a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity) approached the local chapter at Fort Bragg (TAU GAMMA GAMMA) on the idea of supporting a Rehabilitation Clinic at Fort Bragg. This idea expounded well beyond anyone's imagination, because at that same meeting, the North and South Carolina District Representative (Brother Victor Bruinton) heard the presentation and was so impressed of the idea of helping wounded service members, he took this idea back to the District Executive Council for discussion. After debate and discussion, it was voted on and approved that the 6th District of OMEGA PSI PHI Fraternity, Inc saw the good deed of helping a falling soldier by donating $7,400 to fund the MRF''s RRC's program within the Carolina's!!

With this funding, MRF is already in preparation stages of launching a "Family-Day" exhibition at Fort Bragg , NC. The plan is within the next 60 days, MRF will host a 2-day outdoor racquetball extravaganza to where over 500 Wounded Warriors and their families will be exposed to two outdoor racquetball courts, food, and a "jumpie / bouncy" playground area for the children to not only promote to the sport of racquetball but also to promote family and physical and mental health for the soldier. MRF is also working Fort Jackson, SC Wounded Warrior Unit to have a more direct impact with their wounded soldiers rehabilitation plan through more of adaptive sports program. These are just some of the immediate initiatives that we are working on. Again, none of these plans would ever be possible without the vision and belief of the 6th District Executive Council. Men of Omega, we at MRF can not thank you enough for having belief in what we are doing to support our community and service members through healing.

Lake Mayer Community Park is the only outdoor court in Georgia that is hosting WOR sanctioned events. Savannah Outdoor Racquetball has introduced 24 new... read more

The sport of Outdoor Racquetball is growing in popularity in the coastal empire.

Savannah Outdoor Racquetball is currently looking for new players or folks interested in the sport.

There are two one wall Outdoor Courts at Lake Mayer Community Park in Savannah Georgia. Outdoor racquetball is new to Savannah but is well developed in other parts of the country and the world. When played properly it offers a full body workout that is much more fun than working out inside a gym.

This is a fun game that is played by all ages and genders that has multiple levels of competition from beginner to professional. Savannah Outdoor Racquetball encourage doubles play or mixed doubles play as it is easier to play, develops teamwork and new friends, and is simply more fun!

The group has events planned once per month ending with a Georgia Outdoor Championship in June. This is a 100% volunteer effort with all proceeds donated to the MRF for RRC for Wounded Warriors to benefit the US Military.

Free beginner clinics are offered at Lake Mayer Community Park on Saturdays at noon

On March 14th Jason Mannino visited Scott AFB. The purpose of the visit was to help raise money for the Military Racquetball Federation Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinics (MRF/RRC). After taking a tour of the Boeing C40C Command aircraft and the 618th Air and Space Operation Center, they were off to the gym. There Jason was supposed to play 5 time World Champion Sudsy Monchik in and exhibition game. Unfortunately due to injury, Sudsy was unable to attend. Instead Scott Base Champion Jerry Turley got the honor. After the game, Jason spent an hour answering questions with the base players. Then in true Jason Mannino fashion, it was back to the court where he played 8 other people, giving them the opportunity of a life time.

JASON MANNINO at Scott AFB

Thanks to the IRT, Racquetworld, Ektelon, E-Force, Wilson, Gearbox, Tri-cor Industries, Regal Midwest, and the Men and Women of the MRF: Scott Chapter, they were able to raise $1200 in support of MRF/RRC for Wounded Service Members.

Portland, OR & Colorado Springs, CO; February 16, 2012 – The Military Racquetball Federation (MRF) and USA Racquetball (USAR) are pleased to announce a special Doubles Pro-Am to benefit US Military wounded service members. The event will be held in conjunction with ...
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Arlington, Texas - The 2012 Metroplex Racquetball Championships held February 3-5, 2012 recently concluded as nearly 140 players traveled from all over the country to play at the Maverick Athletic Club in Arlington, TX. The tournament is considered one of Texas racquetball's premier events and also served as a benefit for the Military Racquetball Federation (MRF). The Maverick has been hosting racquetball tournaments since opening in 1980 and is locally owned and operated by Robert Sullins, a military army veteran.

"This type of event raises awareness not only for racquetball but most importantly for an organization such as the (MRF) and their programs," said Leo R Vasquez, Metroplex Event Director. "The (MRF) provides Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinics (RRC) that help wounded soldiers and racquetball is the perfect exercise to get them on a court and active again. This program is unique because it is designed to focus on both physical and mental attributes for the soldiers suffering from the affects of combat (PTSD/TBI) including amputees and wheelchair user patients. Some service members returning from combat have lost limbs (amputees) and are wheelchair bound for life."

Michael Carrasquillo (SGT US Army – Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient) and one of MRF's Advisory Council Members stated that racquetball actually saved his life. After being injured in Iraq in 2005, he said, "My upper-body combat injuries were too painful for ongoing therapy, however, when I was introduced to racquetball, it was the sport that fit into my rehabilitation." The sport allowed him to use his upper extremities to move around the court. From picking up the racquet, he has gained more self-confidence, lost over 40lbs, and has gotten back into the main stream of life. During the tournament, Mike was the Maverick's V.I.P. guest speaker during the Flag Ceremony. He said that he was honored to be affiliated with the sport of racquetball and to raise the awareness for his fellow soldiers injured in combat.

Segments of the event were televised on the local news station FOX 4 NEWS KDFW during the Saturday morning live taping. This event also featured a special silent auction throughout the weekend that helped raise $1,500 for the Military Racquetball Federation to continue their Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinic's (RRC). Special guests in attendance included Major General Bruce A. Casella (US Army), CAPT Robert Bennett (US Navy), and Steven Harper, MRF Executive Director. Steven was quoted during the news broadcast, "this is what MRF is all about, helping our soldiers by giving them something different to get them back into life. Too many of our returning Heroes are not fully engaged because of their injuries, but hopefully our rehabilitative racquetball clinics will give them something to reach for."

The recent discovery of a pair of one-wall courts in Savannah, Georgia in late 2011 prompted a series of events to promote the game of outdoor racquetball in the region. The subsequent formation of Savannah Outdoor Racquetball which joined the efforts of WOR and MRF to unite players around the sport gave rise to a series of Saturday tournaments at Lake Mayer Community Park.

The January debut event played host to participants from Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina. This one day shootout successfully united local players with others from the Southeast on the court. We hope to continue to gather interest locally. All events benefit the Military Racquetball Federation, which assists Wounded Warriors thru Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinics (RRC).

It has been almost a year ago since MRF was at Fort Jackson, Columbia SC conducting a RRC (Rehabilitation Racquetball Clinic) for the Army's Wounded Warriors Regiment. This past weekend (19th and 20th of January), we had the opportunity to go back to Fort Jackson to host another two-day racquetball demonstration for a new regiment of Wounded Warriors.

Fort Jackson Rehabilitation Racquetball Clinic

This time, we were able to gain a lot more support thanks to several faculty-members there on post. MRF owes a big Thanks to MAJ K. Troy (Commander of the WTU – WOUNDED WARRIOR TRANSISTION UNIT), SSG Vaughan - Adaptive Sports, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the WTU, and Ms. Coretta Bradley, Program Manager - Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), and to our sponsors RacquetWorld, Ektelon, and E-Force. On Thursday (19JAN), we briefed our intent to start several 8-week Rehabilitation Racquetball Programs to several members at Fort Jackson, which included the Installation Chaplain, Program Manager of the Risk Reduction Program Coordinator, Physical Therapist of Moncrief Army Community Hospital and the South Carolina chapter of the American Red Cross. All participants were definitely impressed on the upcoming clinics provided by MRF. As an add on feature, Pets for Vets, Ms. Sally Aartun – Board of Director member also gave a brief on their organization's mission to save pets that were scheduled to be put-down / destroyed. The animals can now be saved through adoption by Wounded Warriors and Veterans there on or near post. Although this concept is still in the beginning stages, again, anything that will assist soldiers and veterans to get back to healthy, stable lives is always a positive thing.

Friday (20JAN) was a fulfilled day of racquetball. Senior Chief Jeff Hill, SFC Marcia Roberts (one of MRF's Advisory Council Member) and Steven Harper of MRF gave a racquetball demonstration to approximately 55 Wounded Warriors of the WTU. At first, the Warriors were a little hesitant to participate and to get involved with the clinic, but after SFC Roberts gave her story on how racquetball actually helped her get back into life, they realized that anything is definitely possible. During the clinic, there was the traditional flag-ceremony with the Warriors involvement and then onto learning the fundamentals of the game. Senior Chief Hill taught both fore-hand back-hand drills, then the day ended with most the Warriors playing each other with the new designed foam ball (critical for teaching Warriors and gaining confidence)! When a survey was conducted, most of the Warriors said although they had never seen racquetball presented like this in a clinic form, they were eager to take the MRF clinic and even participating in some upcoming tournaments….. One soldier even said how the clinic actual helped him to cope with his PTSD and anger-management symptoms just by hitting the foam ball.

Overall, with the potential of not only teaming up with the WTU and starting our first 8-week 2012 racquetball clinic some time at the beginning of February, there is even discussion on how the clinic might be offered to soldier's family members and civilian contracted employees as a form of suicide prevention. We at MRF are ecstatic to have the new opportunity to be able to bring a clinic to Fort Jackson thanks to some dedicated and special staff and volunteers in Columbia SC.

Fort Bragg Shoot-Out

MRF starts off 2012 at the Ritz-Epps Fitness Center in MWR racquetball tournament at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (Home of the 82ND AIRBORNE). Jan 6th & 7th (Friday & Saturday), the Ritz-Epps MWR, with special thanks to Steve Johnson (MWR Athletic Director) hosted the base's annual racquetball shootout. There were over 50 some players who played in this 2-day event. With great competition along the way, this sets up MRF starting out this year with a bang! Some of the winners in different categories included:

MEN's OPEN
1st Place: Moises Martinez
2nd Place: Jason Wright

MEN's A
1st Place: Leon Johnson
2nd Place: Mario Ceasar

MEN's B
1st Place: Reginald Larry
2nd Place: Michael Reyna

MEN's C
1st Place: JP Miller
2nd Place: Mason Westbrook

MEN''s 35+
1st Place: Jay Lloyd
2nd Place: Ken Joy

This past year has truly been challenging but definitely rewarding! We at Military Racquetball Federation want to sincerely THANK YOU for this past year. We have made a huge impact not only for the sport of racquetball, but for those who have been severely injured in combat – finding a new means of a healing process through the sport of racquetball.

MRF started the year hosting several Military Racquetball Rehabilitative Clinics (RRC) that ranged from Fort Dix / McGuire AFB, NY (where we had the honor work with Mr. Ruben Gonzalez as our special guest), Fort Jackson, SC and Fort Gordon, GA. These clinics proved that racquetball can make a serious impact in soldiers' lives. There were new racquetball base chapters added in 2011; MacDill AFB and Camp Pendleton who were able to host base-wide shootouts and leagues in support of MRF's mission.

With the guidance of Mr. Jack Hughes (MRF's National Project Coordinator) and those special racquetball players (too many to single out), we were able to raise close to $6,000 in support of our Rehabilitative Racquetball Clinics. Many bases hosted these demonstrations including Fort Sam Houston – Center for the Intrepid (CFI) in San Antonio, TX. This state of the art medical facility houses the best rehabilitation medical program for our troops coming back; treating injures (ranging from amputations, major burns, and wheelchair adaption). From that April clinic, we were able to form special bonds with some brave soldiers such as; Cpt JJ Guerrero, US Army - who lost his leg in a road-side bomb, but also competed in four different "Ride 2 Recovery" (R2R), which included; California Challenge (cycling from San Francisco to Los Angeles) twice. Others like Cpt Ryan Miller, US Army (Ret) – a graduate of West Point Academy and the cousin to the 5 time world champion – Sudsy Monchik. Ryan also lost his leg in combat when his vehicle hit a roadside bomb, but that has not stopped him because as soon Ryan retired, he went on and is now attending Harvard University Business School Program! There is SSgt Marcia Roberts who was introduced to racquetball by MRF during the clinic held in San Antonio, TX and who was the special guest of honor during this year's 3 Wallball World Championships in Las Vegas. JJ and Marcia are now serving with us as our new Advisory Council members as well Mr. Michael Carrasquillo – a Wounded Warrior and huge advocate for MRF as a Council member.

Special Thanks and Congratulations goes out to both Kimo Hansen as a MRF Texas representative and Mr. Herman Brooks for this year's Military Racquetball Federation's PLAYER of the YEAR! We also welcome and look forward to working with both our partners; International Racquetball Tour (IRT) and Pets-for-Vets. Both organizations truly support our soldiers and the vision of MRF.

I personally want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holidays – can't wait to see what 2012 brings for us in the racquetball community! If you wish to join us in some of these new ventures, please contact me at: steven@militaryracquetball.com to see how you might be able to help with our mission.

Steven Harper, MRF

Arlington, Texas - The 2012 Metroplex Racquetball Championships, will begin February 3-5 at The Maverick Athletic Club in Arlington, TX. The tournament will feature nearly 250 players competing in over 30 divisions separated by age and skill. This tournament is considered one of racquetball's premier events and will also serve as a fundraiser for the Military Racquetball Federation. The Maverick has been hosting racquetball tournaments since opening in 1980 and is locally owned and operated by Robert Sullins, a military army veteran.

This year's event will benefit the Military Racquetball Federation (MRF) which provides Racquetball Rehabilitation Clinics (RRC) that help wounded soldiers as they return home from the current conflicts. The MRF assists wounded warriors while promoting fitness, enhancing rehabilitation, and building camaraderie for service members and their families. This program is unique because it is designed to focus on both physical and mental attributes for the soldiers suffering from the affects of combat (PTSD/TBI) including amputees and wheelchair bound patients. Most service members returning from combat have lost limbs (amputees) and are wheelchair bound for life. However, soldiers dealing with amputated limbs are making progress and seeing them learn to walk again is powerful medicine.

"This type of event raises awareness not only for racquetball but most importantly for an organization such as the Military Racquetball Federation and their programs," said Leo R. Vasquez, Event Director. "We will offer special military divisions for men and women of the armed services so they can compete as well. Retired or active duty personnel are invited to play. I am thrilled to be involved and I hope everyone can come see some great racquetball and support a wonderful cause."

The event will also feature a special silent auction throughout the weekend to benefit the Military Racquetball Federation along with a Casino Night Party on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. for participants and guests.

The tournament begins Friday, at the Maverick Athletic Club located at 1919 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Arlington, TX. There is no charge for spectators to view the action. Special events are scheduled throughout the weekend for players and spectators. Updates will also be provided via the Maverick Athletic Club website at www.themav.com