MSHA NEWSLETTER Volume 2010 Minnesota State Handball Association January 2010 News and Information

Transcription

1 MSHA NEWSLETTER Volume 2010 Minnesota State Handball Association January 2010 Number 1 News and Information Taylor Talks A note from MSHA President Greg Taylor The 2010 Minnesota Handball Season should be in full swing by the time you receive the MSHA Newsletter. The 1 st two local tournaments are the Ice Box Doubles Invitational Jan at the St Anthony AC in Minneapolis and the Winter Carnival Doubles Feb at the Skyway YMCA in St Paul MSHA Tournaments Entry Forms As part of this Newsletter mailing, you will find entry forms for all of the 2010 MSHA Tournaments: The Masters Doubles - March Central Courts, Minneapolis, MN includes 30, 40, and 60 year old age groups, plus High School Singles. The Open Doubles - March 26- Taylor Talks - page 8 Taylor Talks 1 Chapman Clinic 1 TC League 1 Top Ten 2 Hall of Fame 3 Tournament Results 2 Mankato 2 Fall Classic 5 In this Issue Masters Doubles March 5-6, 2010 Central Courts Open Doubles March 26-27, 2010 University of MN Rec Center Open Singles April 16-18, 2010 University of MN Rec Center Awards Banquet Wednesday, May 5, 2010 Wabasha Street Caves Moy Langhorst 7 Award News From the 10 MSHA Board Al O Neill 10 Calendar 11 MSHA Board 11 Contributors Entry Forms enclosed in center World and National Handball Champ Comes to Mankato By Jim Rueda Mankato Free Press Sports Editor Published December 2, 2009 About a year ago, the downturn in the economy dictated that David Chapman make a career move. On December 2, a select group of Mankatoans and Minnesota State students reaped the TWIN CITIES HANDBALL LEAGUE The season is well along. Here are the standings through the first half of the season. For up-to-date results see the MSHA web site at The Monday night league is for B players and is short of players and clubs this year. The Tuesday night league is for A and better players. Monday Night League Total Lifetime Fitness 45 SAACdale 27 Skyway Y 21 Midway Y 3 Chapman- page 7 TC League - page 11

2 2 MSHA NEWSLETTER Tournament Results (For inclusion in the MSHA newsletter, send your results to the editor.) Mankato Handball Experience October 30-31, 2009 Mankato YMCA The 2009 Mankato Handball Experience featured a full schedule of matches on Friday and Saturday. With 50 entrants ranging in age from 13 to 71, there were plenty of matches to be seen. Although MSU s purple dominated the scene, entrants from Iowa State and South Central College in Mankato rounded out the diverse entrants. Players were treated to all-youcan-eat pizza at Jake s Stadium Pizza on Friday night. We broke the record for most pizzas ordered this year. Saturday s hospitality included a subway lunch. A special thanks to the YMCA and its Program Director Laura Diaz, for all her hard work at the tournament desk. Also, to our corporate sponsors: Eide Bailley; Kato Moving & Storage; Blethen, Gage, and Krause; Alerus Financial; Maverick Software Consulting; and Jake s Stadium Pizza. MSHA Newsletter Vol No. 1 The MSHA Newsletter is published to inform handball enthusiasts about the actions of the Minnesota State Handball Association and members and to help promote handball throughout Minnesota. Contributing articles are encouraged. Contact the editor. Editor: Sheldon Silberman 120 North Westwood Drive Golden Valley, MN (612) Fax: (612) MNhandball@aol.com Contributors: Mitchell Lallier Greg Taylor, Jim Rueda, Gary Rohrer The 90+ doubles final pitted two father-son teams against one another. Andy and John Nett have just qualified for the combined age of 90 or more this year while Mike and Arne Wells have been eligible for a while. The crowd was treated to a very exciting match. Because Andy had just completed the singles final, it took him a little while to get on track. Team Wells won the first game 21-7 utilizing some hot shooting and very few hand errors. In the second game, Team Nett came out firing and both John and Andy were extremely effective with their serves down the right, winning easily Throughout the match, Andy and Mike provided the majority of the offense, while both John and Arne played very steady errorfree, defensive handball. At the beginning of the tie breaker, Andy continued his hot serving as team Nett took a 9-3 lead. Team Wells stormed back with some ace serves of their own to forge a 10-9 lead. Rallies intensified and team Wells had opportunities to win the match, but in the end Andy and John were just a little too tough. As usual, the Netts were great competitors and showed the highest level of sportsmanship on and off the court. It was a pleasure competing against them. 90+ Doubles 2009 Top Ten Based on the results of the 2009 State Open Singles, these are the Top Ten handballers in MN. 1. Matt Hiber 2. Andy Nett 3. Pete Crouser 4. Steve Christoff 5. Ryan Maloney 6. Ray Miller 7. Chris Iverson 8. Jim Grota 9. Tim Kappes 10. Brian Burke If you think you re better than these guys, compete in the Open Singles tournament in Andy Nett/John Nett d. Mike Miller/Ed Miller 6, 3; John Ayers/Jerry Pietz d. Mike Gustafson/Curt Schlenner (11), 19, 9; John Stoffel/Rich Ryan d. Silas Danielson/Jim Turk 4, 13; Mike Wells/Arne Wells d. Paul Dorland/Don Krocak 15, 15 Nett/Nett d. Ayers/Pietz 17, 15; Wells/Wells d. Stoffel/Ryan 8, 7 Nett/Nett d. Wells/Wells (7), 3, 10 Dorland/Krocak d. Danielson/Turk 7, 17 The open singles bracket featured 8 strong players. There were some familiar faces such as Tom Nett, Andy Nett and Mike Gustafson along with some new entrants, Ryan Maloney and John Ayers from Iowa. Results - page 4

3 MSHA NEWSLETTER 3 Larry Larson & Sheldon Silberman To be inducted into the Minnesota Handball Hall of Fame Larry Larson and Sheldon Silberman will be inducted into the Minnesota State Handball Hall of Fame at the May 5, 2010, annual awards banquet as contributors. Both men have been life members of the MSHA since 1981 and have been active in playing and supporting our state association ever since. They were both voted onto the MSHA Board of Directors in the 1980s (Larry in 1980, Sheldon in 1987.) Since joining the Board, Larry has been the treasurer providing us with valuable information enabling the MSHA to be solvent and grow to the strong position we are in today. He files all of tax documents, pays all our bills, monitors our investments and has moved our association into a cash position that is above almost all of the state associations in the country. Sheldon started our website in 1986 and maintained and improved its quality for all these many years. He has had many innovative ideas for our website and shared them with other associations across the country which has helped to improve them all as well. He developed the operating guidelines for the association organizing the boards activities, tournament setup and general methods for our annual operations. His ability to track players, set up draws and times of matches is unequalled anywhere. Both Sheldon and Larry have been involved in setting up our annual state tournaments draws and have played in and/or helped to run virtually every tournament over all these years (over 100!!!), as well as several regional and national events. Because of their great efforts and abilities, the USHA wants to hold national events here as often as possible. In all of the years of their involvement in the MSHA, neither has complained, or asked to be removed from the board. They have combined for over 50 years of service to the handball players of Minnesota. MSHA Sponsorship Contribution Form Thanks to All of Our New and Continuing Sponsors! We appreciate your continuing support! Different ways to contribute to MSHA I would like to contribute to MSHA by offering the following donation: $1,000 Promoter's Club Contributors receive one free year subscription to the MSHA newsletter. Your picture and company logo appear in the MSHA newsletter contributor's corner and the MSHA Website throughout contribution year. If appropriate, you also get a link to your personal or company website. Plus you get recognized with an MSHA monogram Sponsor's shirt at the annual Awards Banquet. $250 Sponsor's Club Contributors receive one free year subscription to the MSHA newsletter. Your name and company logo appear in the MSHA newsletter contributor's corner and the MSHA Website throughout contribution year. $100 Supporter's Club Contributors receive one free year subscription to the MSHA newsletter. Your name appears in the MSHA newsletter contributor's corner and the MSHA Website throughout contribution year. $ Contributor's Club Name appears in the MSHA newsletter contributor's corner throughout contribution year. Designate my contribution to: MSHA Board s discretion Youth Development Moy Langhorst Scholarship Other Please include your name, address and phone numbers and send Taylor to the Talks editor. - page 8

4 4 MSHA NEWSLETTER Results - from page 2 The singles final pitted defending champion, Andy Nett, against perennial contender and 2005 Champ, Mike Gustafson. Both competitors were playing singles and doubles so conditioning may have been a factor. Andy mixed his power serves, v-passes, and kill shots to win in two easy games. Andy didn t give up double digits in any game of the tournament. Mike tried to vary his shot selection, but on this day, Andy was too tough. Ryan Maloney tested his conditioning and was able to beat Silas Danielson in a tie-breaker for the consolation title. Open Singles Andy Nett d. Mark Tobin 2, 5 John Ayers d. Silas Danielson 12, 9 Tom Nett d. Ryan Maloney 7, 7 Mike Gustafson d. Joe Meidl 12,18 Nett d. Ayers 9, 7 Gustafson d. T. Nett 7, 12 Nett d. Gustafson 5, 9 Maloney d. Danielson 6, (20), 2 The A bracket featured 16 competitors with a wide range of abilities and experience levels. In the final, Tim Fitchel used a strong two-handed attack to defeat Mankatoan, Billy Craig in two good games. Billy has been working diligently on his game for the past year or so and has really developed his off hand and court strategy. After the match, Tim did say that he was glad it didn t go tie breaker. There is no substitute for youth when playing three matches on Saturday. Also impressive in the A bracket were 13-year-old Tyler Stoffel and 16 year-old Michael Miller. The consolation title match pitted MSU alumnus, Chris Yard, against current MSU Handball Club member, Matt Nordahl. This was a rematch of the Introduction to Handball course s class tournament championship match from a year and a half ago. The time frame was different, but the outcome was the same. Matt won in an exciting tie breaker. Chris Yard has moved to the Twin Cities and is looking for a league team to play for and players to schedule some regular matches with. Contact him at christopheryard@gmail.com to help him out. He desperately wants to beat Matt next year and he needs your help!! Do your part to help develop this young player. A Singles Tim Fichtel d. Marshall Clark 1, 2 Glenn Solin d. Chris Delaney 14, 13 Tyler Stoffel d. Chris Yard 15, 7 Paul Schilling d. bye Mike Miller d. Brent Fredrichs 11, 10 Matt Novak d. Dan Schonhardt (18), 17, 7 Tom Pearson d. Matt Nordahl default Billy Craig d. Steve Schmitz 6, 4 Quarterfinals: Fichtel d. Solin 0, 10 Schilling d. Stoffel 12, 12 Novak d. Miller 20, 15 Craig d. Pearson 7, 7 Fichtel d. Schilling 9, 15 Craig d. Novak 5, 8 Fichtel d. Craig 10, 18. Nordahl d. Yard 12, (20), 7 The B bracket had 15 competitors including 6 students who are currently in the Introduction to Handball class and were entering their first tournament. Two competitors from Iowa State, Ryan Pesch and Chris Hazelton were the top seeds and would have been very competitive in the A bracket. They stormed through the B bracket, not giving up more than 7 points in any game until meeting in the final. With bragging rights for the ride home and the B title on the line, Ryan came out victorious in two close games. Having watched this match, there were few surprises since they have a limited number of opponents in Ames. The tournament committee is hopeful that they will come back next year and we ll seed them into a more appropriate bracket. The consolation final pitted two students from MSU s Introduction to Handball class. As usual, the new competitors learned what a good workout tournament matches are Results - page 5

5 Results - from page 4 compared to playing for 45 minutes twice a week during class. Congrats to Bob Quinn who defeated Ryan Garbers. With the class tournament starting this week, Ryan may get his chance to return the favor. B Singles Chris Hazelton bye Dylan Mayasich d. Ryan Garbers (19), 15, 7 Rebecca Cole d. Kate Quiram 8, 9 Jon Nuytten d. Jon Miller 3, 3 Joe Nordahl d. Jacob Bohrod (8), 20, 6 Andrew Schneider d. Jared Van Dorpe (16), 18, 7 Aaron Grimmer d. Bob Quinn 5, 18 Ryan Pesch d. Tony Olson 1, 2 Quarterfinals: Hazelton d. Mayasich 2, 7 Nuytten d. Cole 14, 7 Schneider d. Nordahl 14, 19 Pesch d. Grimmer 5, 1 Hazelton d. Nuytten 3, 7; Pesch d. Schneider 1, 3 Pesch d. Hazelton 14, 20 Quinn d. Garbers 6, 12 The youth tournament on Friday night featured several young players who have been participants in John Stoffel s youth classes on Sunday at the YMCA. All the participants received youth sized MSU Handball shirts and gift certificates to the WOW Zone in Mankato donated by John. We need coaches! If you are interested in helping collegiate players learn the game, contact Jim Carlson, Ron Causton or Ted Bergstrom. Adrian Anderson defeated Tyler Hatelstad in the championship match. Some of these competitors will be travelling with John to the youth national tournament in December. The MSU Handball Club anxiously awaits the arrival of some of these players once they reach college University of Minnesota Handball Classic November 20-21, 2009 University of Minnesota Rec. Center, Minneapolis, MN For the 16 th consecutive year, the University of Minnesota Handball Classic got the Minneapolis Handball Season off on the right foot. The 2009 edition of the Classic featured the most exciting Open final in recent memory with Andy Nett besting Pete Crouser in a tie breaker. Additional highlights included Matt Langhorst winning the A Round Robin and Billy Craig dominating the B. For many, however, the tournament highlight was the University of Minnesota vs. Minnesota State round robin which saw three Minnesota State players sweeping three Minnesota players (although most of the matches were close). With the change in the Open division, however, many bystanders commented on another Nett proving that some things never change as John Nett once again won the Super Master Division without ceding a game. MSHA NEWSLETTER 5 Open Division Mike Gustafson def. Steve Johnson 7, 16 Mike Wells def. Tom Net 5, 2 Andy Nett def. Tim Kappes 12, 6 Pete Crouser def. Mike Gustafson 10, 8 Andy Nett def. Mike Wells (15), 14, 0 Andy Nett def. Pete Crouser 17, (12), 5 Consolation Mike Gustafson def. Tom Net A Division (round robin) Mark Brissett def. Brandon Glaze 16, 10 Mathias Langhorst def. Mitch Van Eps 7, 7 Mark Brissett def. Mitch Van Eps 1, 2 Mathias Langhorst def. Brandon Glaze 17, 4 Mitch Van Eps def. Brandon Glaze Forfeit Mathias Langhorst def. Mark Brissett 16, 18 Champion: Matt Langhorst Runner Up: Mark Brissett B Division (round robin) John Laliberte def. Matt Johnson 7, 9 Billy Craig def. Gabriel Lopez 3, 4 Jesse Fleck def. Matt Johnson 9, 14 Billy Craig def. John Laliberte 1, 16 Gabriel Lopez def. Jesse Fleck (20), 19, 4 Gabriel Lopez def. John Laliberte 19, 12 Billy Craig def. Matt Johnson 3, 4 Jesse Fleck def. John Laliberte 14, 10 Matt Johnson def. Gabriel Lopez 15, (13), 7 Billy Craig def. Jesse Fleck 5, 9 Results - page 6

6 6 MSHA NEWSLETTER Results - from page 5 Champion: Billy Craig Runner Up: Gabriel Lopez C Division Quarterfinals: Michael Miller def. Steve Totzke 3, 4 Samson Finkelstein def. Glenn Oslin 9, 14 Aaron Victorin-Vangerud def. Emily Rund 2, 5 Tom Pearson def. Marshall Clark Forfeit Michael Miller def. Samson Finkelstein 5, 14 Aaron Victorin-Vangerud def. Tom Pearson 1, 4 Michael Miller def. Aaron Victorin-Vangerud 19, 16 Steve Totzke def. Glenn Oslin 0, 12 Collegiate Division (round robin) Chris Delaney def. Chris Drucher 13, 4 Matt Novak def. Ben Olson (11), 6, 2 Dan Schonhardt def. Dane Swanson 17, 13 Chris Delaney def. Ben Olson 13, 14 Dan Schonhardt def. Chris Drucher 6, 14 Matt Novak def. Dane Swanson 7, 15 Dan Schonhardt def. Ben Oslon 11, 5 Matt Novak def. Chris Drucher 8, 0 Chris Delaney def. Dane Swanson 4, 14 Novice Division Preliminary: Weston Bussler def. Bakhtiyar 2, 1 Kristi Knudson def. Kevin Wolfe 17, 18 David Miller def. Eddie Schauer 3, (4), 7 Devin Nelson def. Brock Voss 20, (11), 7 Seth Frick def. Ben Grover 9, 14 Jay Thundstrom def. Vernon Miller 8, 1 Chase Sander def. Joshua Miraglia 10, 17 Alex Arias def. Jon Houlihan 1, 14 Quarterfinals: Weston Bussler def. Kristi Knudson (16), 10, 10 David Miller def. Devin Nelson 18, 15 Jay Thundstrom def. Seth Frick 1, 9 Alex Arias def. Chase Sander (10), 13, 4 Weston Bussler def. David Miller 6, 8 Jay Thundstrom def. Alex Arias 15, 2 Jay Thundstrom def. Weston Bussler Forfeit Vernon Miller def. Kevin Wolfe 16, 17 Women s Novice Division (round robin) Kara Smith def. Jessi Knudson 0, 4 Jessi Knudson def. Kjerstie Wiltzen 2, 5 Kara Smith def. Kjerstie Wiltzen 10, 1 Golden Master Division Brian Coonce def. George Langhorst 8, 13 John Nakasone def. Dale Bergren 7, 11 Phil Kleineschay def. Glenn Solin 11, (19), 2 Tim Fichtel def. Brian Coonce 8, 20 Phil Kleineschay def. John Nakasone 20, (16), 6 Tim Fichtel def. Phil Kleineschay 12, 11 Dale Bergren def. Brian Coonce Super Master Division Greg Taylor def. Ron Allen 7, 14 Bill Ingram def. Bill Brown (15), 4, 2 Paul Schilling def. John Dockerty 11, 4 John Nett def. Greg Taylor 18, 7 Bill Ingram def. Paul Schilling 11, 19 John Nett def. Bill Ingram 8, 8 Ron Allen def. John Dockerty 16, Recruiting Roundup Last year at the Midway YMCA we had 36 new players start playing the game., In 2008 we recruited and trained 26 new players and in 2007 we had 16 new players. So in the last 3 years we have recruited 78 new players to the game. Most weeks we have 40 plus players. Come join us at 6 am Monday - Friday; noon Monday, Wednesday, or Friday; or Saturday at 8 am where we have been averaging 14 people. We are in need of more handball gloves - if you want to donate new or used gloves to new players please drop them off at the Midway YMCA front desk. For more information contact Mitchell Lallier at

7 The Moy Langhorst Scholarship Award The Moy Langhorst Scholarship is awarded to a player who demonstrates the ideals Moy displayed: Perseverance Integrity Sportsmanship Determination Nominees are selected by the Moy Langhorst Scholarship Committee and confirmed by the MSHA Board of Directors prior to the annual banquet where the award will be announced. Qualifications: 1. Recipient should be a relatively new player (less than 3 years). 2. Age is not a factor. 3. The player should participate in at least two of our MSHA events. 4. The player should demonstrate sportsmanship, dedication, and a desire toward improvement. The scholarship amount is determined by the MSHA board and consists of entry fees to MSHA events, local lessons, and possibly out-of-state camps. Nominations must be submitted to the Moy Langhorst Scholarship Committee so that a recommendation can be made to the MSHA Board of Directors by April 1. Past Recipients: 2006 Matt Hiber U of M Handball Club 2007 Brian Burke 2008 none 2009 Mike Wells Mankato State University Chapman - from page 1 benefits. Chapman has been called one of the greatest handball players of all time. With eight national championships and four world championships to his credit, it s hard to argue. He was at the Mankato YMCA holding a couple of clinics and taking on some local players in exhibition matches. A handball player s peak years are usually from At the age of 34, it was difficult to see where much of Chapman s skills have diminished. I still play professionally, he said. I m hoping to play at least five more years and then we ll see what happens. Chapman, who grew up in Long Beach, Calif., began playing in tournaments when he was 7 years old. He turned professional at age 16 and has been among the elite players in the sport ever since. Until last year, Chapman worked in the financial office of a Mercedes-Benz dealer in St. Louis, Mo. and played handball professionally in weekend tournaments. When the economy went south, Chapman decided to expand his involvement in the sport of handball and made it his full-time job. He now travels the country staging clinics, hosting camps, and making and selling instructional videos. An elite player could make as much as $40,000 a year on the handball tour, Chapman said. But by the time you subtract all your travel, hotel and eating MSHA NEWSLETTER 7 expenses you can t make a living at it. That s why I do all these other things to make it a full-time job. His appearance in Mankato was organized by Mike Wells, who teaches a class at MSU on website usability and also happens to be the advisor for the MSU handball club. In his information technology class, students are assigned websites to evaluate. Since some of his current students are also in the handball club, Wells thought it would be interesting to use Chapman s website as the subject of one of those evaluations. An excellent handball player in his own right, Wells communicated with Chapman a few times via s and then talked to him in person in October when both were competing at the world tournament in Portland, Ore. Wells talked with Chapman about combining a visit to Mankato with an overview of his class s evaluation and with some clinics and exhibitions staged by the champion. It turned out he s going to Milwaukee to play in a tournament this weekend so the timing worked out well for him to stop here first, Wells said. It s pretty exciting to have someone of his caliber come to our town and share his expertise. It s not an opportunity that comes along very often.

8 8 MSHA NEWSLETTER Taylor Talks - from page 1 27 Univ. of MN Rec. Center, Minneapolis, MN includes all of the skill divisions plus the 50-year old age group. The Open Singles April Univ. of MN Rec. Center, Minneapolis, MN includes all of the skill divisions plus all of the age groups. The MSHA Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 1:00 p.m. as part of this tournament. Be sure to attend and let us know your thoughts on the Association World Handball Tournament (Portland, OR) John Nett World Champion! Minnesota sent 15 players (29 entries) to the recently completed 2009 World HB Tournament in Portland, OR (Multnomah Athletic Club). Out of these participants, we had one World Champion, one 2 nd Place Finish and five Semi-Finalists: World Champion John Nett (Winona) and his partner, Merv Deckert (Winnipeg Manitoba Canada), won a 41 team draw in the Men s 60+ Doubles. They defeated Jay Capell (California) / Alan Sherrill (California) 21-9, 14-21, 11-7 in the finals. 2 nd Place Finisher Tyler Stoffel (North Mankato) lost to Darren Doherty (County Moanghan Ireland) 4-21, 9-21 in the finals of the 10-person Boy s 13 Singles event. Semi-Finalist Finishers Anna Engele (St Paul) lost 5-21, in the semi-finals of an 18 person draw in the Women s Open Singles. Anna Engele (St Paul) and her partner, Courtney Peixoto (Tucson AZ), lost 11-21, in the semi-finals of a nine team draw in the Women s Open Doubles. John Stoffel (North Mankato) and Mike Wells (Good Thunder) lost 15-21, in the semi-finals of a 9 team Men s 40 Doubles draw. John Stoffel (North Mankato) lost 3-21, 21-8, 2-11 in the semi-finals of a 5 team One Wall Men s 35 Doubles draw. Tyler Stoffel (North Mankato) lost 10-21, 21-5, 5-11 in the semi-finals of the 7-person Big Ball Boy s 13 Singles event. Other Participants / Entries Andy Nett (Winona) - Men s Open Singles, Men s Open Doubles. Bill Ingram (Woodbury) - Men s 55 Singles, Men s 60 Singles Bryan Wessel (Hugo) - Men s 70 Singles, Men s 70 Doubles Greg Negard (Bemidji) - Men s 55 Singles, Men s 55 Doubles Greg Taylor (Woodbury) - Men s 60 Singles Jim Norman (Minneapolis) Men s 70 B Sngls, Men s 70 Dbls John Nakasone (St Paul) Men s A Singles, Men s 50 Singles John Nett (Winona) Men s 60 Singles John Stoffel (North Mankato) Men s 40 Singles Larry Gilbert (Marine on St Croix) Men s 60 B Singles Mike Erdmanczyk (Vadnais Heights) Men s 60 B Singles Mike Wells (Good Thunder) Men s Open Doubles Rich Gauger (St Paul) Men s 75 Singles, Men s 70 Doubles Tyler Stoffel (North Mankato) Boy s 15 Doubles Taylor Talks - page 9

9 MSHA NEWSLETTER 9 Taylor Talks - from page 8 Thanks to all of the MSHA participants for representing us well! MSHA Banquet Plus Hall of Fame Inductions Larry Larson and Sheldon Silberman This year s MSHA Banquet will be held at The Wabasha Street Caves in St Paul on Wednesday, May 5, Larry Larson (Plymouth) and Sheldon Silberman (Golden Valley) will be inducted into the MSHA Hall of Fame at the Banquet. Both Larry and Sheldon are long-time Board Members and have contributed mightily to the longterm success of the MSHA through their collective service. Larry has provided the financial counsel to position our organization in the top-tier nationally. By utilizing Sheldon s website expertise our tournaments run smoothly and the site s design and functionality are recognized at the USHA level. Be sure to attend this interesting event to honor Larry and Sheldon and learn more about their accomplishments. MSHA Board Members Election - Saturday April 17, 2010 Three MSHA Board members terms will expire this coming year Pete Crouser, John Miller and Greg Taylor. All three have agreed to run for re-election at the upcoming MSHA Annual Meeting on Saturday April 17, If anyone else is interested in running for any of these Board positions, please advise an MSHA Board member prior to the Annual Meeting. University News Minnesota State Mankato Mike Wells reports that there are 20 active HB players and 16 additional students take the twice weekly for credit beginning HB class each semester. Mike and John Stoffel also teach an Advanced Class on Tuesdays with 12 to 16 players. MSM will send 12 players (10 men, 2 women) to the Houston TX National Collegiate Tournament (USHA) in February. Each player provides $200 of their own money with additional subsidies from the MSM Student Senate and the MSHA. MSM won the 6-player, round robin (9-0) Collegiate Cup versus U of M at the recently completed UM Fall Classic. University of Minnesota Jim Carlson reports that there were 80 new HB players taking the twice weekly (Mon and Wed) or once weekly (Thu) beginning HB class this past semester. The beginning classes continue in the spring semester. Matt Hiber will be teaching an advanced class in the spring (Tues). UM will send a team to the Tempe AZ National Collegiate Tournament (WPH) in February. Midway Y New Player Development Mitchell Lallier reports that there are 45 to 50 active HB players from 4 continents (No. America, Europe, Asia and Africa who have been newly introduced to the game and are playing at the Midway Y Mon. through Fri. 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and Mon., Wed., and Fri. 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. If anyone has gloves (new or used) to donate, please drop them off at the front This Newsletter is chock full of tournament results. We encourage all able-bodied players to enter our tournaments. As a parting thought, remember that we all have a responsibility to continue the game by encouraging and supporting new players. It s nice to see a number of the graduates from the university programs - UM and Mankato State - and from the Midway Y Program entering tournaments and participating regularly. Pay it Forward!!

10 10 MSHA NEWSLETTER News from the MSHA Board of Directors Here are a few of the interesting topics considered by the MSHA Board of Directors over the past season: Collegiate Funding Requests: There was much discussion about the MSHA s stance on USHA vs. WPH collegiate programs. The board decided to stay neutral on this conflict. We are in favor of financial support in general but we need to develop funding sources for the continued collegiate support. It was noted the U of M sponsors the state tournaments at significant benefit to the MSHA and its members. This is not a consideration for whether we support the U or to differentiate how much support we might provide versus other requests. We are in support of organized programs like the MSU or U of M clubs. We also recognize individuals from small programs may need more support than organized programs. Hosting a Pro Stop: The net benefit versus the cost in fund raising and volunteer effort was not seen as a benefit to Minnesota handball so we declined to support bringing a national pro stop to the area. MSHA Hall of Fame display: The U of M has asked if we are willing to fund relocation of the MSHA Hall of Fame display to the U of M as part of the Rec Center remodel/expansion which is under consideration/planning in the next 12 months. Jim Turman has requested 500 square feet for MSHA HOF and is thinking the MSHA would have to raise funds for the space. The Board passed a motion: If U of M provides space for the MSHA Hall of Fame display, the MSHA will raise funds to support construction to approximately $10, Tournaments: Refereeing: Too many matches are going without a referee. We really need to police this so losers ref and we get volunteers for early matches. Subsidized student entries: In an effort to standardize the policy the Board clarified that undergraduate students pay $20 ($10 MSHA membership and $10 tourney entry.) This also applies to novice. High School is still free. As you can see, there are a variety of funding requests to which the MSHA has committed. Anything YOU can do to help will be appreciated by the handball community. O'Neill, Alfred E. Longtime Roseville Resident - Age 81, Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 1, Preceded in death by infant son, Joseph Gerald; brother, Rev. John; and sisters, Mary Ellen and Joan. Survived by loving wife of 56 years, Gerry; daughters, Michelle (Steve) Olson and Maureen (Steve) Beyer; sons, Rocky (special friend Brenda Robrock) and Tom (Jackie); grandchildren, Tiffany, Chrissie and Nikki Olson, Cole Beyer, and Ben O'Neill; great-grandson, Jaycole; brother, Jim (Dorothy) O'Neill; and sister-in-law, Mary Cox. Al served in the Army from , and was a 60-year member of the Asbestos Workers Local #34 Union. He had many friends who appreciated his big personality and the many stories he shared. He was very active, and was inducted into the Minnesota Handball of Fame; he also served as president of both the Twin Cities Handball Association and the Como Men's Golf Club. Thank you to those who supported him through his journey as he struggled with congestive heart failure and lung disease.

11 MSHA NEWSLETTER 11 CALENDAR Ice Box Doubles Invitational January 29-30, 2010 St. Anthony AC, Minneapolis, MN Winter Carnival Doubles February 12-13, 2010 Skyway YMCA, St. Paul, MN MSHA State Masters Doubles March 5-6, 2010 Central Courts, Columbia Heights, MN TC League Finals March 20, 2010 U of M Rec. Center, - tentative MSHA State Open Doubles & March 26-27, 2010 U of M Rec. Center, Minneapolis, MN U of M Doubles Classic MSHA State Open Singles & April 16-18, 2010 U of M Rec. Center, Minneapolis, MN U of M Spring Handball Classic MSHA Awards Banquet Wed., May 5, 2010 Wabasha Street Caves, St. Paul, MN Make your plans now! HANDBALL Gloves/Balls For Sale MSHA gloves (by Owen Glove) for at $20/pr. USHA $8.00/can. Contact Gary Rohrer at (952) MSHA OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS Greg Taylor * - President & Hall of Fame John Miller * - VP Larry Larson - Treasurer Sheldon Silberman - Secretary Tim Kappes Moy Langhorst Com. Matt Johnson - Youth Director Pete Crouser * Mike Kloos Darryl Ekstrom Gary Rohrer (* - terms expire in 2010) Contact any board member if you have comments or suggestions on what the MSHA can do to make handball a more enjoyable experience for you and others. Elections are held each year to replace board members whose terms expire during the Annual Membership meeting at one of the State Tournaments. You are encouraged to apply. TC League - from page 1 DEVELOPMENT Tuesday Night League MSHA Membership/Newsletter Subscription Form Annual subscriptions are free to all those that participate in at least one state tournament each year or are included in your annual membership fee. A subscription fee of $10 from others is required to defray printing and mailing costs. Name: Address: City: State: Points White Bear Boys 172 Skyway YMCA 147 SAAC Squad 128 River Rats 113 Lifetime Fitness 95 Midway YMCA 33 Playoffs are planned for late February and early March. If you would like to participate in the Twin Cities Handball League contact one of the clubs listed above. ZIP: Home Phone: Business Phone: Club you play at: Birth Year: Yes, I would like to help out by voluntarily converting to an annual membership. No, I do not wish to give up my lifetime status but I have enclosed a donation of $ to help defray expenses. Mail to: Enclosed is $10 for my annual subscription. MSHA: c/o Sheldon Silberman Enclosed is $10 for my Annual Membership. 120 North Westwood Drive Please change my address as indicated. Golden Valley, MN

12 12 MSHA NEWSLETTER Promoter's Club Jerry Jordahl 2010 MSHA Contributors Corner Booster & Contributors Al Abrahamson Al Abrahamson Gerry O Neill Barb Kruse (Steve Subak) Robert Trierweiler Bob Trierweiler Steve Laliberte Barbara Kruse (Steve Subak) Sponsor's Club Brian Mahaffy George Langhorst Larry Seiberlich Brian Mahaffy Larry Seiberlich Ed Simonet David Wells Please consider becoming a 2010 handball supporter! PRESORT STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Minneapolis, MN Permit No. 1 MINNESOTA STATE HANDBALL ASSOCIATION 3042 Bloomington Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota