1974

	Bud Muehleisen \| La Mesa, California (Amateur Athlete/Contributor, Inducted 1974) "Dr. Bud" Muehleisen has sometimes been called the most influential man in racquetball. He began playing paddleball in 1962, won four national titles, then took up paddle rackets in 1969, edging out Brumfield and win one of the first national championships in the sport that would become racquetball. Bud served on the IRA board of directors for seven years as the first rules committee chairman and was instrumental in the early formation of the game's first rules. He won an unprecedented 41 national titles, was a coach and teacher, a regular contributor of instructional material to early magazines and worked with most of the major equipment manufacturers in developing racquets, balls and other products.

	Joseph Sobek \| Greenwich, Connecticut (deceased: 4-5-18 to 3-27-98) (Contributor, Inducted 1974) Joe Sobek has been credited with inventing the sport of racquetball. Joe was a club tennis pro in Greenwich and found the handball could be modified with a racquet (with strings) and had the first racquetball racquet developed with a test run of 25 in 1950. He then went to work with various companies to develop a proper ball for the sport and began promoting it throughout the country, founding the Paddle Rackets Association. He never competed in any tournaments. When Robert Kendler formed the IRA, Sobek stepped aside. Tennis was in his blood, however and he faded from the racquetball scene.

1975

Larry Lederman | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(deceased: 12-24-32 to 1-16-04) (Contributor, Inducted 1975)
Larry was the first man to organize a national racquetball tournament, which occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1968. He was both a founder and the man behind the scenes in the development of the International Racquetball Association in 1969. Larry was the first national commissioner and was an active member of the early boards of directors. He was active in the development of racquetball in Wisconsin as well as throughout the international community. He served as the state chairman in Wisconsin and organized that state program. Larry was the athletic director at the YMCA in Milwaukee when racquetball was growing up. He helped the sport mature in both its popularity and organization.

1982

Gene Grapes | Irwin, Pennsylvania
(Amateur Athlete/Contributor, Inducted 1982)
Gene was an early supporter of the new sport of racquetball. Prior to the formation of the IRA, he helped organize and played primarily in the Pennsylvania State YMCA sponsored tournaments. He was elected to the board of directors of the IRA in 1975 and served as executive vice president during his tenure on the board. He held five national doubles and national singles titles, in addition to national singles and doubles invitational titles. Gene overwhelmingly dominated his age group for nearly 10 years.

I.R. Gumer | Louisville, Kentucky (deceased: 9-7-13 to 8-15-92)
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 1982)
Ike started playing racquetball in 1962 at the Jewish Community Center in Louisville. He still plays occasionally and as recently as 1982 Ike was still practicing law in a semi-retired fashion and it was said that you could check your watch by his arrival at the center at 4:30 p.m. every day. Ike was instrumental in establishing the Kentucky Racquetball Association and served as a board member of the IRA. His lifelong doubles partner, Irv Zeitman, also of Louisville, passed away in 1992. Ike was known for his gentlemanly conduct and good sportsmanship and was one of the forerunners of the two wall pinch shot.

1988

Charlie Brumfield | San Diego, California
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 1988)
Charlie is a legend of the 1970s. He was a handball player until a dislocated finger prompted him to take up paddleball in 1964. He won his first paddleball singles championship in 1968, which led naturally to racquetball. He won back to back singles championships in 1972-73 and continued playing world class racquetball for the next 10 years. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of San Diego with degrees in economics and business administration and then went on to earn a degree in law from USD during this period. He was a four time national singles champion and in 1973 he won the national doubles title with partner Steve Serot and again in 1975 with partner Craig McCoy.

Robert J. Kendler | Chicago, Illinois (deceased: 10-18-04 to 11-1-82)
(Contributor, Inducted 1988)
Kendler was the moving force in the birth of racquetball's organization. He was a homebuilder and contractor whose interests originated with handball, as the first president and organizer of the International Racquetball Association. He began pushing racquetball in the United States Handball Association magazine and then started the first racquetball magazine. Kendler was often called the "benevolent dictator" and resigned from the IRA over a disagreement with its board of directors. He then formed two rival organizations, the National Racquetball Club and the United States Racquetball Association. Both organizations remained in existence until they went bankrupt in 1982. It has been said that without his clout and financial input the organization that was then the AARA (now the USRA) wouldn't have started when it did.

Peggy Steding | Odessa, Texas (deceased: 4-17-36 to 11-17-91)
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 1988)
Peggy started playing racquetball in 1971. She had always been athletic and was attending Odessa College on a tennis scholarship. She had also competed in basketball, volleyball and fast-pitch softball, before discovering racquetball. Peggy dominated women's play in the early 70's and continued playing in the senior divisions prior to her death in 1991. In 1992 the USRA Female Age Division Athlete of the Year award was renamed the Peggy Steding Award in her honor. It is said that Peggy elevated the game of racquetball for women during her reign as champion.

1989

Charlie Garfinkle | Buffalo, New York
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 1989)
Charlie, known as "The Gar" was a colorful player on the courts. He began playing racquetball as a college student. Garfinkel had played both tennis and squash, and entered his first racquetball tournament in 1966. He went on to claim 15 national titles. He sported a flamboyant style of psyching out his opponent. He played on the pro tour for many years and was a regular contributor or event coverage and instructional material in early racquetball magazines and authored two racquetball instructional books. He remains the man to beat on the Senior/Masters circuit. In 1980 & 1982 he won the men's 40+ singles, in '85 & '86 he took the same title in men's 45+. He has been both a club pro and an instructor.

William Schmidtke | Apple Valley, Minnesota
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 1989)
Bill became interested in racquetball while employed at the Madison, Wisconsin YMCA in 1968, where he was playing a lot of paddleball at the time. He learned racquetball quickly and started competing in 1968. He was the runner up at the first National Championships held at the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Jewish Community Center and alter won the national singles in 1971 in Salt Lake City. Again in 1974 he won the national singles and then the men's 40+ doubles with partner, Jim Austin in 1983. Bill played on the pro tour in its early days and was sponsored both by Head and then X. He participated on the pro tour as a referee for an additional four years. Bill was named the Male Athlete of the Year in 1974. He served as both chairman of the International Racquetball Association and as chairman of the Minnesota association.

Luzell Wilde | Salt Lake City, Utah (deceased: 10-25-17 to 12-15-04)
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 1989)
Luzell Wilde has been winning championships in his age division since 1983 when he won the men's 65+ singles, has been a consistent finalist, and maintained high ranking positions in each of his subsequent age divisions. He has also participated for many years in doubles competition with partner Earl Acuff. Luzell started playing when he was 50 years old. He hadn't been active in any other sport prior to taking up racquetball, however mastered the sport and remains active on the Senior/Masters circuit and is always a top competitor at national singles and doubles events.

1991

Cindy Baxter | Reedsville, Pennsylvania
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 1991)
Cindy was instrumental in building a reputation for the U.S. National Racquetball Team in the eighties by distinguishing herself as a major competitor on the international racquetball scene. Early in her career, Cindy became the first U.S. athlete to win three consecutive gold medals in the World Games, first in 1981, again in 1984, and again in 1986. Her achievements in the sport have been documented by the Guinness Book of Records, and have yet to be matched.

Ed Remen | Sterling, Virginia
(Amateur Athlete/Contributor, Inducted 1991)
Early in his career, Ed Remen parlayed handball and stickball skills learned in the Bronx into an exceptional racquetball talent. His accomplishments include sixteen national titles, a gold medal at the first Master's Games in Toronto, a World Senior Championship, and a state and regional winning streak that spans ten years. As an instructor, Ed has taught racquetball at the college level. He has organized and instructed many racquetball camps, workshops and clinics for all age groups. He has also been a Master Clinician for the President's Council on Physical Fitness for Region 3.

1992

Jim Austin | Cypress, Texas
(Amateur Athlete/Contributor, Inducted 1992)
Jim played for 27 years, 17 at the state/regional level, 16 at the national level. From 1970 to 1980 Jim won 15 Texas Open Singles and Doubles championships. In 1971 he captured the IRA Open Singles Championship and went on to win 21 national singles and doubles championships in age divisions. Jim was named the AARA Male Athlete of the Year in 1984. During his career he was selected as one of the top 16 players to play on the first pro racquetball tour in 1973. In 1969 he helped found the first national racquetball association - the International Paddleball Association and was founder and president of the Texas Racquetball Association in 1973. Jim served on the Board of Directors of what is now the AARA for six consecutive years and was the National Rules Commissioner for three years. Jim has made numerous other contributions to the sport and to clubs on both the local and national levels.

1994

Jo Kenyon | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 1994)
Jo Kenyon was the 15th inductee to the USRA Hall of Fame, on the basis of her long-history of age group competition. A retired veterinary receptionist, Kenyon took up racquetball at the age of 50 and quickly laid claim to over 25 national title over the ten year period preceding her induction. Her love of the game, and the tournament environment, helped her become one of the top female age group competitors -- even after undergoing a hip replacement in May of 1998. Only three months after that procedure, Kenyon was back in top form, winning a silver medal in doubles, followed by a renewed string of gold medal finishes in subsequent seasons.

1996

Mary Low Acuff | Asheville, North Carolina (deceased: 7-9-19 to 2-4-05)
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 1996)
Hall of Fame athlete Mary Low Acuff dominated the "upper echelons" of age group competition among women beginning in 1984, with career wins that include forty-five national titles, nine silver medals and a scant two bronze medal finishes. In 1994 alone, Mary Low took five national titles and a world championships victory, then followed up in 1995 with a record of nine national wins and another world title to her credit. The mother of eight was a long time supporter of the USRA and is a legend in racquetball, who continued to compete in every tournament available to her. In 1999, Mary Low was joined by her husband Earl in the Hall of Fame -- the two are the only husband-and-wife pair to share this honor.

Keith Calkins | Mission Viejo, California
(Contributor, Inducted 1996)
Keith Calkins boasts a career of service to racquetball, from developing one of the first junior camps in California, to a long-running term as a member, and often-elected officer, of the organization's board of directors. In addition to his terms as both treasurer and president of the board, Keith served international racquetball interests with elected appointments to the Pan American Racquetball Federation and the International Racquetball Federation. But Keith is best known for his professional guidance of the AARA (now USRA) during its most turbulent time, and for the type of subsequent leadership which has enabled the association to take its place among the most well-regarded national governing bodies in the U.S. Olympic Committee structure.

Johnny Hennen | Chattanooga, Tennessee
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 1996)
Johnny Hennen is probably one of the best liked and respected athletes to ever play the game. On court Johnny is legendary for a lack of defense, and a non-stop, aggressive style. Hennen is probably best known for his doubles prowess, where he earned six national doubles titles, five of them paired with fellow Hall of Famer Ed Remen. Johnny matched this record with six national singles titles, becoming one of a rare group of athletes to earn dual titles in any given year — doing so four times, in 1983, 1988, 1992 and 1993. After a difficult recovery from a life-threatening illness, Hennen and Remen paired up again in 1998 to win yet another national doubles crown -- exactly ten years after winning their first as a team.

Gary Mazaroff | Albuquerque, New Mexico
(Contributor, Inducted 1996)
Gary Mazaroff began an un-interrupted presidential term with the New Mexico Racquetball Association in 1974, bringing that organization to the forefront of the AARA's state affiliate structure. Through AmPro and AmPro instructional programs, Gary has certified hundreds of players and instructors, while himself serving as a teaching pro and instructor since the late 70s. Gary also served as an assistant coach for two world championship U.S. national teams, then took that expertise "on the road" by coaching national teams from other countries.

1997

Lynn Adams | Libertyville, Illinois
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 1997)
Lynn Adams won 325 of her 369 professional matches, for a .887 winning percentage. An eight-time player of the year (1982-88, 90), Adams won six pro tour season titles (1982-83, 85-88) and seven overall championships (1982-83, 85-88, 90). Even more impressive is Adams’ courageous fight against multiple sclerosis throughout her life and racquetball career.

Marty Hogan | Chesterfield, Missouri
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 1997)
The sport’s first million dollar man, Hogan owned the men’s professional tour from 1977 to ‘82, with six national championship titles. In his early -- and later renewed -- amateur career Hogan garnered several top honors from the ‘75 Boy’s 18-and-under crown to the ‘94 Men’s 25-and-over national doubles championship. Over the course of his career Hogan's name became synonymous with the sport, he was tagged as the “King of Racquetball” and is credited with transforming the sport into the power game that it is today.

Chuck Leve | Northbrook, Illinois
(Contributor, Inducted 1997)
An integral part of racquetball since 1969, Leve was the Executive Secretary of the International Racquetball Association (IRA) in ‘70. After following IRA President Robert Kendler, in 1973, to the newly formed National Racquetball Club (NRC), Leve privately felt that the amateur players had been left out. In 1976, he formed the United States Racquetball Association to service those players outside the professional ranks. In 1979, Leve joined the National Court Club Association, now known as the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). Now the Director of Sales and Promotions for IHRSA, Leve continues to lend his support to the sport of racquetball.

Heather McKay | Brisbane, Australia
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 1997)
Heather McKay (Brisbane, Australia) had lost only two matches in two decades of international squash dominance before turning to the sport of racquetball in 1980, at the age of 39. McKay didn’t waste much time earning the title of best women’s racquetball player in the world, winning the pro national’s in 1980 and ‘81. She again won the coveted title in ‘84. Before returning to Australia in ‘85, the Canadian national amassed nine national titles and the ‘84 Steding Cup, given yearly by the women’s pro tour for outstanding contributions to women’s racquetball.

Dave Peck | Austin, Texas
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 1997)
Peck was awarded the professional tour’s Rookie of the Year trophy in 1978. In the year’s following, Peck established his place among the racquetball elite, winning the Ektelon National Championship in 1981 and ‘82. The powerful Texan also captured the Catalina National title and Player of the Year honors in ‘81. With a brilliant pro career under his belt, Peck continues to play competitively in the amateur ranks. In 1995, he captured both the national singles and doubles crowns for the Men’s 35-and-over age groups.

Mike Yellen | West Bloomfield, Michigan
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 1997)
Mike Yellen made his mark on the men’s pro circuit in the same era as Hogan and Peck, claiming a spot as one of the most fundamentally sound and powerful players on the tour. His year was 1983, when he claimed three national championships in one season to take the #1 spot. In the process he defeated all of the top names: Hogan, Peck, Harnett, Gonzalez, Hilecher and anyone else who crossed his path. Like McKay, Yellen took important lessons from his second passion, squash, and applied them to a racquetball career which has served him well.

1999

Earl Acuff | Asheville, North Carolina
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 1999)
Since his first career win — in the Men’s 60+ division in 1984 — Earl Acuff had medaled 34 times at major national and world senior events, and walked away with the gold at 20 of them. In the year preceding his induction, Earl was a double-gold winner in Men’s 75+, earned his seventh U.S. national doubles title, matching the singles victory he had earned that spring. His 1998 men’s 80+ world title and three other world seniors crowns combine to present quite a distinquished, 16-year career for Earl Acuff.

2000

Van Dubolsky | Gainesville, Florida
(Contributor, Inducted 2000)
Van Dubolsky has been a guide and advisor to racquetball for over a quarter of a century, first through his involvement in his home state of Florida, then later in the first of several terms on the then-AARA Board of Directors in 1983. Founder of the Florida Racquetball Association, which held the #2 spot among all USRA state affiliates for many years, Dubolsky played a key role in the development of racquetball in the Southeast, while remaining competitive in the sport and earning a series of national titles in his own right. Recognized as the primary architect of the USRA’s Long Range Planning and Vision Statement, Dubolsky’s insights and guidance have contributed to the overall steady growth of the sport through what many have termed its “lean years.”

Ruben Gonzalez | Staten Island, New York
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2000)
Ruben Gonzalez has excelled in the sport by maintaining the most consistent level of excellence by a single player over the course of a 20-year career on both the amateur and professional circuits. Even now, at 48 years of age, he shows no sign of slowing down – going so far as to become the oldest athlete to ever earn an appointment to the U.S. National Team. On the pro circuit, Gonzalez captured his first tour title in 1989, which – at the time – earned him the distinction of becoming the oldest pro tour athlete to win such an event. Throughout his tour career, he has been recognized for his outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to fair play, while consistently finding himself – at each season’s end – with ranking positions among the top 10 through 1995.

Jim Winterton | Syracuse, New York
(Contributor, Inducted 2000)
Jim Winterton has gained renown as one of the best racquetball coaches in the world, after service to the U.S. National Team for a full decade, during which time his squads brought home the World Cup from every International Racquetball Federation World Championship played in the period. He also led national teams to five Tournament of the Americas team crowns and a clean sweep of the 1995 Pan Am Games, where the USA brought home six gold and two silver medals. For his last hurrah as U.S. National Team Head Coach at the 1999 Pan Am Games, Winterton’s team nearly repeated that clean sweep of the medals, claiming six gold, a silver and a bronze medal.

2001

Caryn McKinney | Atlanta, Georgia
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2001)
Well known for her court-sense, Caryn McKinney dominated the Women’s Pro Racquetball Association [WPRA] Tour throughout the 80’s and into the 90’s, where she consistently placed in the top five. During her professional career she reached the semifinals in nearly 50 pro events, winning eight. Her career peaked in 1989 when she captured the WPRA National Championship, the top spot in the rankings and was named the tour’s Player of the Year. As late as the 1998 U.S. OPEN, McKinney remained competitive on the women’s pro tour, reaching the semi-final there against an tough field of up-and-coming current tour regulars. Well respected as an instructor and coach, she taught at the Elite Olympic Training Camp for eleven years, longer than any other instructor.

2002

Andy Roberts | Memphis, Tennessee
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2002)
One of the most dominant pro players of the 90's, Andy Roberts finished six seasons with a top five ranking — twice finishing in the No.2 spot (1993, 1995). With over 15 tour wins to his credit, Roberts finished with a top-10 season ranking on the tour as recently as 1999. After graduating from Memphis State University (with several titles) Roberts captured a National Doubles title in 1985, a National Singles title in 1988 and a U.S. Olympic Festival singles win in 1991. He recaptured the National Doubles crown 15 years later in 2000. Selected as the USRA Athlete of the Year twice (1988, 1990), Roberts was also appointed to the U.S. National team for eight consecutive terms (1985-1991), where he added Tournament of the Americas, and World Championship titles to an impressive resume.

2003

Cliff Swain | Braintree, Massachusetts
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2003)
With over 80 pro victories to his credit, Swain is considered by many to be the best racquetball player ever. He dominated the pro circuit throughout the 90's and continues to do so into a new century. In 2002, at the age of 35, he became the first player to win six (6) professional season-ending rankings titles (1990, '93, ‘94, '95, '98, 2002). At the time of his induction, Swain also boasted two U.S. OPEN titles (1997, 2001) and had finished No. 3 at close of the 2003 IRT season. Swain actually could have earned many more tour victories and possibly two more season-ending rankings titles had he not quit racquetball for two years to pursue a tennis career. After his pro tennis detour in the early '90's Swain returned to the racquetball court and promptly took back his No.1 ranking in the first year.

2004

Shannon Wright | Fridley, Minnesota(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2004)Shannon Wright dominated women’s racquetball throughout the late 1970’s and early 80’s. During her 12-year career she racked up over 35 professional tournament victories, captured seven National Championships, and finished #1 on the Women’s Professional Racquetball Association (WPRA) Tour four times. She is said, by some, to have revolutionized women’s racquetball with her hard-hitting style and aggressive play.

During her career she was heavily involved in conducting clinics throughout the country and authored “The Women’s Book of Racquetball” in 1980. Wilson Racquetball manufactured the “Shannon Wright Autograph” racquetball racquet. She competed in the 1981 ABC-TV Superstar Competition in Key Biscayne, FL where she took 3rd place. In 1976 she was named the International Racquetball Association (IRA) “Women’s Professional of the Year,” the following year was named the IRA “Athlete of the Year”, and in 1979 was selected by Racquetball Illustrated as the “Player of the Year.”

After being narrowly defeated by Lynn Adams in the 1982 National Professional Championships, Shannon left the professional circuit in 1982 to complete her education. In 1989 she earned her undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2002 she completed her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Minnesota. In 2006 she completed in her MD from the Medical School at University of Minnesota, where she currently teaches.

After induction into the Racquetball Hall of Fame in 2004, Shannon has become more active in racquetball once again. Currently she is serving on two Hall of Fame Induction Committees and has the honor of being selected as an initial member of the Board of Directors of the USA Racquetball Foundation, whose purpose is to promote and raise money for the USA Racquetball Association.

Fran Davis | San Francisco, California
(Contributor, Inducted 2004)
Fran Davis is known throughout racquetball as one of the top clinicians in the game. She conducts the highly successful “Building Your Racquetball Dream House” racquetball camps and is credited with coaching both Sudsy Monchik and Jason Mannino.

She has also been successful as a coach for the U.S. National Team. She served as Assistant Coach for the 1990, ’92, ’94, ’96, ’98, and 2002 IRF World Champions and in 1987 she was named the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Racquetball Coach of the Year. She was also part of the 1995 U.S. Pan American Games coaching staff, helping them to sweep the competition in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Former U.S. National Head Coach Jim Winterton said of Fran, “Her passion for the sport is surpassed only by her energy and knowledge of the game.”

“The Hall of Fame, in any sport, is what everyone strives for,” Fran said upon hearing of her induction. “That means that you will go down in history as one of the greatest players, coaches, or contributors. To me, the biggest thing is to get in while I am still heavily involved in the sport and that I am able to share it with those close to me.”

2005

Jerry Hilecher | Northridge, Calffornia
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2005)
Jerry Hilecher was one of the "original" players being involved in raccquetball from the very first IRA Championships held in St. Louis, MO in 1973. A finalist in over 40 professional events and winner of three National championships Jerry also brought a high level of desire and intensity to every match he played. Never one to sit back, Jerry in 1979 also organized the Professional Player's Association in an effort to allow players an active voice in establishing clear guidelines for professional racquetball. An instructor and coach Jerry presented over 100 camps, clinics, and exhibitions during his career and was head coach of the US Junior Team in 1992 and 1993. Recently elected to the St. Louis Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Jerry occasionally continues to participate on the legends tour and other selected amateur tournaments.

Dan Obremski | Irwin, Pennsylvania
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 2005)
Many credit Dan Obremski with changing the modern pro tour by bringing advanced sport specific fitness training to the game. His dedecation to fitness brought him pure strength, flexibility, and unbelievabe quickness that left his opponents and fans awe struck. He reached a peak ranking on tour of #3 in the world and won multiple pro events however he is best known as the greatest right side doubles player in history. He won an unbelievable five Men's Open national doubles titles with two different partners - a record that still stands today.
In addition to playing, Obremski was very generous with his time when it came to teaching and training players throughout the country. For many years he was a lead instructor at the annual Olympic High Performance Training Camp in Colorado Springs, CO and is credited with helping to develop advance techniques for training high level players in the areas of fitness, strategy, and mental toughness.

Steve Strandemo | San Diego, California
(Contributor, Inducted 2005)
Steve Strandemo is widely recognized as the father of racquetball instruction. The author of three instructional books and five instructional videos, Steve organized the first formal certification camp for instructors. Steve was known among his peers as "an intense student of the game" and dedicated much of his career to the study and analysis of racquetball. Many credit Steve with being the original inventor of videotape analysis. Steve spent hours analyzing materials and developing new theories of instruction and strategy. As a professional player Steve maintained a top ten ranking from 1973-1986.

2006

Connie Martin | Gresham, Oregon
(Contributor, Inducted 2006)
Connie Martin has been involved in the teaching and programming of racquetball since 1975. Currently Connie is the Program Director for Cascade Athletic Clubs in Gresham, Oregon, the commisioner of the Oregon Racquetball Association and coaches the Gresham High School Racquetball Team and the Mt. Hood Community College Team. She was the founder and executive director of PARI (Professional Association of Racquetball Instructors), now known as AMPRO. She has published numerous books on racquetball programming including the original PARI teaching manual and the YMCA training program for Junior Racquetball. Connie Martin and her club were the recipients of the first International Racquet and Sport Club Association (IHRSA) award for outstanding service. Additionally Connie played the Women's Pro Tour and was a member of the US Racquetball Team in 1987 winning 2 golds and 1 silver at the World Championships.

Susan Pfahler (left) & Mary Lyons (right) | Neptune Beach, Florida
(Amateur Team, Inducted 2006)
In both Open and Age Division competition, the championship record of doubles team Susan (Morgan) Pfahler and Mary Lyons is unmatched in racquetball history. No other pairing, male or female, can claim 17 doubles titles. Their run began in 1984 with Women's 25+ titles and a bronze medal in Women's Open. Over the next two decades, they accumulated a total of 17 gold medals, including a double gold in 1992 (Women's Open and Women's 35+) followed by five consecutive wins in the Women's 35+ division from 1993 to 1997. From 1997 to 2005, they captured their Age Division title each year. Both players have earned the respect and admiration of their peers through long and outstanding performance, good sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play.

2009

Ed Andrews | San Diego, California
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 2009)
As a player, Ed Andrews was a Phenomenon! His most amazing achievement, and the one for which he is most proud, is his 4 AARA National Singles Championships (1980, 1981, 1985 & 1986). Astoundingly, Ed played in the National Singles Championships exactly 4 times; he won the event exactly 4 times; and he won EVERY single game during those 4 tournaments. That awesome record is one that still stands today.

Ed began playing Racquetball in 1977 with the support of his Mom (Thanks Mom - I love you with all my heart!!!) After his 1st tournament at Dr. Bud's Club in El Cajon, CA in August of 1977, where he won the Beginner's Novice Division, he was completely hooked on Racquetball. Dr. Bud began coaching Ed, taking a "diamond in the rough" and polishing him into a National Champion in just three short years. According to most opponents, during his heyday Ed was an "animal" on the court. It seemed virtually impossible to pass him on either his forehand or backhand side. His splat shots were legendary.

According to Racquetball Hall of Famer Charlie Brumfield, ""more impressive than Ed's record on the court was his positive influence on other players. Alvaro Beltran grew up watching Ed play. He later became a Professional following in Ed's footsteps. Ed ran a lot of Junior Clinics in the 1980's that groomed and produced some great young players. Ed was one of the greatest players of his time. His legacy continues to have a positive influence on the game today."

Jacqueline Paraiso | San Diego, California
(Amateur Athlete, Inducted 2009)
Jacqueline's esteemed record on the Pro Circuit closely mimicked her prowess as a DOUBLES LEGEND. Her acclaimed Titles include 3 Overall Pro Tour Championships, 2 US Open Titles, 18 First Place finishes, and 23 Final appearances. Even more impressive were her accomplishments in Doubles that boast a treasure chest of Gold Medals that includes 16 National Doubles Titles, 5 Olympic Festival Gold, and 3 Pan American Games Gold - over 75 Gold Medals in all! The highlights of Jacqueline's International career are the Gold Medals she won with here twin sister, Joy MacKenzie, at the 1995 and 1999 Pan American Games.

Jacqueline has qualified more times for a position on the US Team than anyone in the history of the sport and has made more appearances for Team USA than any other racquetball player, man or woman. In 24 appearances over 20 years she won 1 Silver and 23 Gold Medals! Paraiso and MacKenzie played together 7 times for Team USA, winning Gold each time.

Jacqueline has also given back to the sport by serving as President of the Women's Pro Tour, as a Player's Representative on the USRA Board of Directors, as Tournament Director for numerous tournaments in the San Diego area, as an Instructor at Inner City events, and as Team Leader at several International Competitions.

Mike Ray | Hilton Head, South Carolina
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2009)
Mike Ray, the cool and calm left hander with a deadly forehand, was a big man who could move a deadly combination. A true workhorse on Tour in the years of 1985 through 1999, Mike missed just a single Tour Stop. Throughout his long career Mike won many tournaments, but in 1991 he finished the year as the #1 Player in the World. In that same year (1991) Mike was awarded by his fellow competitors the prestigious award as "Sportsman of the Year" a designation of the individual who exhibits fair play and demonstrates integrity on the court no matter the consequence. According to Hall of Famer Andy Roberts, "Mike Ray was one of those unique players who possessed all the skills and had no weakness. In order to beat Mike you had to play great."

Mike Ray was also a member of arguable the Greatest Doubles Team in racquetball history. According to his partner, Hall of Famer Ruben Gonzalez, "Mike was the key to our success. He [was] so steady with an awesome forehand...his big body truly intimidating in the middle [of the court]. I consider it an honor and a pleasure to be a partner and friend of Mike Ray."

From 1989 to 1992 Mike Ray was a dominant force in Racquetball, excelling both on and off the court. Retiring in 1999, Mike left Professional Racquetball well positioned for those to follow through his leadership on the Board of Directors and through helping to secure the largest monetary sponsor in the sport of Racquetball, VCI.

Myron Roderick | Stillwater, Oklahoma (deceased: 9-15-34 to 12-28-11) (Contributor, Inducted 2009)
Many GREATS in our sport consider Myron Roderick as one of the "Founding Stalwarts of Racquetball." Myron was an accomplished Racquetball player in the 1970's, garnering 7 National Open Titles: however, he is best remembered for his many contributions to the sport of Racquetball during the International Racquetball Association's formative years. After serving on the Board of Directors for over 6 years, Myron bravely stepped up to the plate BIG TIME during the early to mid 1970's when Racquetball had NO monies, funding, or direction.

Myron's experience, hard-work ethic, and ability to get along with all kinds of people allowed him to almost single-handedly take over the reins as Executive Director and put the Association back on it's feet financially and to get it headed in a positive direction. Myron conducted the Association's business out of his hometown of Stillwater, OK, where he also devotedly oversaw the monthly publication of the Association's Magazine.
During the 1970's, Myron formed a company called Sports Unlimited that primarily built racquetball courts, including the one for Elvis Presley at Graceland in Memphis, TN.

Myron is also a member of the USA Wrestling Hall of fame. He was a National Wrestling Champion numerous times and later served as its Executive Director for a number of years. Myron was an athlete, innovator, task master, and most of all a friend to everyone whose path he crossed. Racquetball was so fortunate that he crossed theirs.

2010

Davey Bledsoe | Atlanta, Georgia
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2010)
Davey's career began in 1973 when he won the IRA Intercollegiate Championships in Champaign, IL. The highlight of his professional career was his 1977 upset victory over Marty Hogan. Davey was also a true racquetball ambassador, featured in over 150 television, radio and magazine interviews and articles.

Bret Harnett | Henderson, Nevada
(Professional Athlete, Inducted 2010)
Ranked #2 on the Men's Professional Tour from 1985 thru 1988, Bret won 16 professional events. At 16, he was the youngest player ever to win the USRA Open National Championships. Bret received the designation of Catalina Pro Tour Player of the Year in 1983.

Larry Liles | Memphis, Tennessee
(Contributor, Inducted 2010)
Recognized as the "Father of Collegiate Racquetball", Larry's long-time commitment to collegiate racquetball is legendary. His teams at Memphis State University won 17 National Men's titles and 12 National Women's titles. Larry served as coach of the US National Team from 1998-99 and was named United States Olympic Coach of the Year in 1996.