2008 Woodie Awards
Demo day promotes racquetball
By Cristian C. Martinez
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: Pulse
Originally published: 4/19/07 at 4:52 PM CSTLast update: 4/19/07 at 4:51 PM CST
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"We are hoping that at least three or four players will rise today who really enjoy the game and will keep the game of racquetball going," Oscar Flores, owner of racquetball Pros of San Antonio, said.
Demo Day was sponsored by Ektelon Co. and Racquetball Pros of San Antonio, who had three open players at the event.
Open players are advanced players who have regular jobs but promote and teach others about the sport during their leisure time.
"It was open to all SAC students. and it is more of a clinic approach to learn more about the game and to get more people interested in the sport, there are no first-, second- or third-place winners," kinesiology Professor Val Gonzales said.
Fifty-seven people signed up for the event, and about 50 showed up.
Gonzales advised students to wear goggles at all times on the court because the ball is moving fast in a confined space and protecting the eyes is most important.
He also told students to use the strap to secure the racket around the wrist because the hands can get sweaty and the racket might fall off.
The students were split into mixed groups so they could practice or go to one of the courts with the open players for instruction.
"Some friends that are taking the class told me about it," mechanical engineering sophomore Ralf Meinhardt said. "This is the first time I played, and I learned about a forehand, backhand, ceiling shots and ball control."
Open players showed participants the proper wrist positioning to hold the racquet for a forehand and a backhand shot.
For a forehand, the hand is positioned as if the player is shaking hands with the grip of the racket, and for a backhand the racket is tilted backward.
Student Government Association President Francesca DiTroia said this sport has helped her physically.
"I even lost 20 pounds since we started playing this semester," she said.
Students can sign up for KINE 1119, Beginning Racquetball, and KINE 1120, Intermediate Racquetball, in Summer 2. For more information, call 733-2761.
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