IPRO Director’s Message December, 2025
Recently USA Racquetball made a decision to experiment with a different management style. While maintaining a Board of Directors, they have opted to have a trio share the Executive Director position. This comes with the retirement of Mike Grisz, who held the position the past two years. Cheryl Kirk, Karen Grisz, and Kristen Wattz deserve an opportunity to show their merit. Good Luck!
World Games—Racquetball will once again be a part of this quadrennial sporting festival this year. It’s first inclusion was in 1981 in Santa Clara, California. August, 2025 promises to be pivotal for the growth of our sport. Alongside Squash, Racquetball will have 14 countries, 32 athletes, and a host of delegates travel to Chengdu, China. Singles and Mixed Doubles will be played. Qualifying took place at the World Championships last August in San Antonio, Texas.
IRF World Senior Championships—After a one year shift out of New Mexico, the 40th edition will be held in Las Vegas, New Mexico August 26-30 this year. Many thanks to Cindy Tilbury, President of National Masters Racquetball and the LOC in Illinois, for cooperating with the 2024 event.
IRF World Juniors—The 2025 edition will be held early December at the Duarte Complex in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Hopefully they can replicate the success of the recent ‘Juniors’ held last month in Guatemala. Congratulations to the Guatemala LOC headed by Dr. Estuardo Wer, for accommodating over 240 athletes from 14 countries to compete, engage, and build lasting friendships.
Upcoming
January Instructor Certification Level 1; Manuel Flores, Tarija, Bolivia
April Level II-III Officiating Seminar; Gustavo Farell, site tbd
August Level III Officiating Seminar; Gary Mazaroff, Chengdu, China
Quote of the Month
‘Oftentimes it is not what one says; it
Is what one does not say that matters most’ DF