Attendance - Board members George Lehocky, Bob Burkitt, David Kent, Jim Krailler, Jack Dean, Bob Hiance and Mike Reilly were present. David Kent was unable to attend. Bruce McCormick also attended the meeting.

Review of Minutes - The amended minutes posted on the website were approved.

Income / Expenditures / Current balance
Membership Report

David Kent
Jim Krailler

Income / Expenditures / Current balance - Current balance of the GCHA checking account is $ 10,786.
Most of the month's financial activity was related to income from the membership drive and sale of merchandise.

Membership Report - Jim Krailler reported that the current membership roster is at 112 members. Jim Krailler will continue to supply the Board a weekly updated listing of potential members, via email.

3-Wall Court Maintenance
3-Wall Court Shelter
Pat Carnes
Doubles Leagues
Enquirer Article
Mather Handicap and Spring Dance
Waycross Anniversary Party

Bob Burkitt
Mike Reilly
George Lehocky
Jim Krailler
Bob Hiance
George Lehocky
Bob Hiance

3-Wall Courts - John Allen has been in contact with Fred Schlimm, of the Green Township Park staff. John will prepare some preliminary information to forward to the township, including a proposed drawing and budget estimates for the shelter. The annual 3-wall workday will be held on Saturday, April 17th. Bob Burkitt will develop a list of work items for this day and present it to the board at the next meeting.

Pat Carnes - George Lehocky reports that Pat continues to seek employment opportunities and is appreciative of the Board's support.

Four-wall Leagues - The A-league winners of the Fall league will be determined after completion of make-up games. Paul Baker intends to begin the Winter doubles league on Friday, February 6th.

Enquirer article - Bob Hiance has been in contact with Enquirer reporter Shannon Driskell. She's reviewed the website and is considering an article focusing on 3-wall.

Pete Mather Doubles Tournament - George Lehocky has made arrangements for the tournament event to be held Saturday March 27th at the Central Parkway YMCA. Bob Lohmueller is tentatively slated to set up the teams, draw and handicaps.

Spring Dance - Spring Dance has been moved to April 17th. Carl Fisher has asked for financial support. After a lengthy discussion, the Board voted that the GCHA will support the dance with notices in the Spring ShortLine, both on-line and print versions, with website announcements and updates, and personal promotion and arm-twisting.

Waycross Anniversary Party - Bob Hiance reports that all went well at the one-year anniversary party, celebrating Paul and Beth Bakers ownership of the Athletic Club @ Waycross. The Bakers were very appreciative of the plaque presented by the racquetball group and the USHA's "Club Owners of the Year" plaque; both are displayed prominently at the club.

Kentucky State Handball Championship 2004
Youngstown YMCA Tournament
Circle City Handball Tournament
State of Ohio Handball Championships
Pete Mather Handicap Tournament
Caples 3-Wall, Date for 2004

January 23rd - 25th (Fri.-Sun.)
January 31st - February 1st (Sat.-Sun.)
February 13th - 15th (Fri.-Sun.)
February 20th - 22nd (Fri.-Sun.)
March 27th (Sat.)
June 12th - 13th (Sat.-Sun.)

Kentucky State Handball Championship 2004 - About six players represented the Cincinnati area at this tournament. Jack Dean and Greg Fite won the combined 40/B/C doubles bracket.

Youngstown YMCA Tournament - Jack Prather won open doubles with Mario Dolciato. Results will be posted on the GCHA website when available.

Circle City Handball Tournament - The dates and contact information has been posted on the GCHA website calendar.

Ohio State Championship - 2004 State of Ohio Handball Championships will be held at the Severance Athletic Club in Cleveland over the weekend of February 20th - 22nd (Friday through Sunday.) Information has been posted on the web site and mailed in the ShortLine.

Pete Mather Tournament - see Old Business, above.

Caples 3-Wall - Mike Reilly will pursue renting the shelter at Veterans Park for this event. The tournament will be held on Saturday and Sunday, June 12-13. The base entry fee will be $ 40, reduced to $ 30 for entries submitted by June 1st. Second event and discounted fees will remain unchanged. This will be a USHA-sanctioned event, with an additional $5 added for non-USHA members.

Hoxworth Recognition
Ohio Hall of Fame
Bruce McCormick's Handball tips for UC team
Support for collegiate teams
Other?

Bob Burkitt
Board
Jim Krailler
Board
Board

 

Hoxworth Blood Drive - On behalf of GCHA, Bob Burkitt received a certificate from Dale McMullen of the Hoxworth Blood Center to recognize the efforts of the GCHA during the year 2003. Text of the award is below, and the entire award has been posted on the GCHA website. Plaque is on display at the Waycross Court Club.

HOXWORTH BLOOD DONOR CAMPAIGN – 2003 ANNUAL REPORT In conjunction with the Hoxworth Blood Center of the University of Cincinnati, the GCHA has undertaken a continuing community service project to encourage the membership to donate blood on a regular basis. Those who attended the Fall Meeting and Member Appreciation Night in October were addressed by Dale McMullen from Hoxworth who spoke about the need for regular donors to support the blood needs of the community and the benefits of such a program. A growing number of GCHA members are supporting this program by making regular donations and using the “HDB” code to specify the handball group as a sponsor. In 2003 a total of 44 donations were made on behalf of the GCHA and that number is expected to grow as more members join in this worthy community service project. Hoxworth Blood Center has recognized the GCHA by awarding a certificate of appreciation to acknowledge the efforts of the members. Those who have donated can take pride in this achievement which surpasses that of some large employers in the area. The certificate is pictured below and will be displayed to encourage participation in this program of community service. Members may go to any of the eight Hoxworth centers to donate. Thanks to those who helped make 2003 a special year.

 

Ohio Hall of Fame - The following email was sent by Bruce McCormick on January 23rd:

Gentlemen, We need to start to get our selections together for The Ohio Handball Hall of Fame. A great place to present our recipients is at the Ohio State Tournament. Although this is not written in blood, we can make other arrangements as we need to induce our players that are selected by the following areas.

1. Toledo 2. Cleveland 3. Arkron-Canton-Youngstown 4. Columbus 5. Cincinnati-Dayton

In addition,we need to include the 3-wall players as well. Jack Prather has asked me to get going on this Hall Of Fame and I am picking up the ball as the chairperson for the state. I have not been too active as the chair for a couple of years, but the lag is over. We have a lot of deserving players that need the honor this year. Gentlemen, please form your committees and e-mail or call me at bmccormick8@juno.com or 513 829-5049.

In response to Bruce's letter, George Lehocky will contact the current Cincinnati-area members of the Ohio Handball Hall of Fame, with the goal of organizing a standing committee charged with nominations for this honor. Bruce McCormick is heading up the statewide effort to revive Hall of Fame activities.

Handball Basics and UC Team - Glenn Gartland and Bruce McCormick are working to develop handball at UC. Three UC players will participate in a Collegiate tournament on Sunday February 8th 2004 at the Athletic Club @ Waycross, competing against players from the Miami University team and some Dayton-area students, being coached by Bo Bauer. Bruce McCormick is also in the process of writing a series of instructional articles, Handball Basics, which will be posted on the GCHA website.

Support for collegiate teams - The GCHA email account received the following on January 25th.

Hi, my name is AJ Arem and I am founder and captain of the UK Handball Team. I am writing on behalf of our team in an effort to possibly receive some financial support for our trip to the collegiate nationals in Springfield, Missouri. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and go along way in helping our team travel and play in the collegiate nationals. Thank you for your time and consideration, AJ Arem (UK Handball) University of Kentucky Handball Blanding I, Box 110 Lexington, KY 40526

In response, the Board voted to donate $150 to any of the local collegiate programs (UC, Miami, UK) seeking financial support to attend National Collegiates. In addition, the Board will also donate GCHA membership ($10 each for youth/student membership) to any college team participant, in exchange for on-going contact information.

Other New Business

Central Parkway Membership Offer - George Lehocky reports having been contacted by Joel Aschendorf, Executive Director of the Central Parkway YMCA (downtown branch) who has put together some special offers in an effort to attract new and former GCHA members. Information below.

YMCA SAYS, "WE'VE GOT A DEAL FOR YOU GCHA'ers!!" Joel Aschendorf, Executive Director of the Central Parkway (downtown) branch wants GCHA members and has offered the following deal to attract new and former GCHA members. He and his staff can be reached at 513-241-5348. THE DEAL Contingent upon 20 GCHA members joining or rejoining the Y via metro-memberships, which includes access to all Y's in the Greater Cincinnati System, below is the cost structure. YEARLY MEMBERSHIP If 20 members join for the entire year, the Joining Fee will be waived. Joining fees are normally $150 for Family Membership and $125 for a Single Membership. The monthly rate would be $53.50 inc. tax/month - Single Membership and $75.97 inc. tax/month for a Family Membership. As a clarification, yearly means full payment of the dues up front. Single membership= $ 642.00 Family = $911.64. MONTH TO MONTH If members join on a month by month basis, the Joining Fee would be $75.00 for either single or family memberships. (See rates above). This will allow members to use the Y during the 3-wall off-season (approximately October through March.) OTHER On Thursday, February 12, 2004, The Central Parkway YMCA will have Fitness Center Grand Opening from 5 to 8 P.M. Tours, equipment demos and class demos will be ongoing during this grand opening celebration. Central Parkway has added a complete circuit of Cybex/Eagle strength machines. Also, Joel is cracking down on inappropriate sexual behavior at the Y.

 

Next
Meeting

Scheduled date: Wednesday, March 3rd, 7:30 pm
Location:

Board

The March GCHA Board meeting will be held at Court House East, in Madeira, at approximately 7:30 pm on Wednesday, 3/3/04, after play at the club.

Open to all members