The November GCHA Board meeting was held on Wednesday, November 3rd, at approximately 7:30 pm

Board members George Lehocky, Jack Dean, Jim Krailler, Bob Burkitt, Greg Fite, Bob Hiance, Dave Laxton, and Mike Reilly were in attendance. Will Straw and David Kent were absent.

Corrections and additions to October minutes

Income / Expenditures / Current balance
Membership Report

David Kent
Jim Krailler

Income / Expenditures / Current balance - Jim Krailler presented the financial report. Current balance of the GCHA checking account is $10,492.91. Member Appreciation night brought in $625 in memberships, and the Washington Platform bill for the evening was $431.

Membership Report - Jim Krailler reports that the 2005 roster currently lists 41 members. George Lehocky suggested that this year's membership campaign slogan be "Continue to thrive in 2005." Jim also reports that there will be a mailing sent to non-renewed members, including a self-addressed, stamped envelope, after the Queen City Shootout.

Ohio Hall of Fame
Hamilton Handball Reunion
Tina's Day-After Thanksgiving Party
3-Wall Word Day
Texas Hold 'Em Night
UC Handball Team

Board
Board
Board
Bob Burkitt
Greg Fite
Jim Wohl

Ohio Handball Hall of Fame - Jack Prather presented the following report on the work of the local Committee:

"Bruce McCormick, after many years of heading the Hall of Fame, has decided to step down from this position. He just doesn't get around to all the other areas of the state, and feels someone may be able to give it more attention. I think we all thank Bruce for his contributions. Bruce is actually starting a youth handball group in Fairfield this month. I'm sure his students will pick-up the game quickly, and will be very good at shadowing the ball at opportune times.

"I have taken over the lead for now, until I speak with the Cincinnati committee on a possible successor or continue myself. John Love, Bob Lohmueller and Gary Reece have come up with criteria to help electing committees in the state to decide if candidates are eligible for the Hall. Although there is a lot of subjectivity in deciding on candidates, they tried to put some objectivity into it. What does the GCHA think of these ideas and what changes would you propose. We welcome your thoughts. Once this criteria has been finalized, I will share this with other key contacts within the state for them to use in their election process. Their criteria are included as an attachment as well."

Ohio Hall of Fame - Suggested Criteria from Cincinnati-area committee Players will be considered for their achievements in one, three or four wall. Players will be considered for their singles or doubles ability, and nominations will be for individuals only. Players considered for induction must have succeeded at the Open City, State. Regional or Nationai Level and/or have been dominating in their respective age division over a period of time. Individuals can also be nominated for Significant Contributions to Handball. All nominees not elected the 1st year of their nommation will be automatically reconsidered for election the following 2 years. Nominations can go to anyone on Hall of Fame Committee and needs to include a list of accomplishments (more detailed the better.) Election will be decided by voting of each individual presently in the Hall of Fame from Cincinnati with a majority vote required

Hamilton Handball Re-union - Sam Minielli is hosting another re-union of Hamilton and Cincinnati handball players at his Tori's Station banquet hall. The party will be held on Friday, November 12th, starting at 7:00 pm; dinner with set-ups costs $12, and a cash bar will be available.

Tina's Day-After Thanksgiving Party - This annual event is scheduled for November 26th, starting around noon at Tina's, corner of 4th Street and Central Avenue in downtown Cincinnati.

3-Wall Maintenance - Mike Reilly will contact Fred Schlimm and try to set up an avenue of regular communicaiton with the Green Township Park Maintenance staff. Bob Burkitt presented the following report.

Report on 3-Wall Maintenance - November 2004 Submitted by Bob Burkitt Earlier this year, at the request of the GCHA, the original contractors for the Caples courts inspected them as they neared seven years of age in September of 2004. Their recommendations included sealing the court and apron surfaces with concrete sealer, a liquid chemical treatment to prevent damage from moisture and the Winter freeze-thaw cycle. The floor contractor advised that in his opinion water was entering the area beneath the court floors and advised finding ways to prevent this from happening. It was also recommended that the joints between the floors and walls be sealed with foam backer rod and polyurethane caulk. In October Green Township applied sealer to the concrete court floors and aprons of the courts. Prior to applying the coating the court lines were repainted and for several days the courts were not available for play until the sealer cured. Spalls and chips in the floors were repaired by the GCHA before the sealer was applied so the work planned and budgeted for by the GCHA has been performed with minimal cost. Sealing the joint between the walls and floors remains to be done but is not a high priority so no further GCHA work is scheduled at this time. Material for sealing the joints on one court are on hand in case the opportunity arises. Subsequent play has shown the court surface to be playable without negative effects - the ball bounces true and footing is good. According to the workmen who sealed the courts, the Township plans to stain the outer walls of the courts to add color and interest to the sculpturing of the walls. This work was scheduled at the same time as the sealing but has not been performed to date as far as is known. Examination of the area along the outside wall near the entrance to the courts points up the poor drainage pattern in that area. Water runs along the outer wall to the area near the plaque and is trapped in a low spot where it soaks into the ground and emerges at end of the wall on Court #1 . The Township should be contacted to see if the stone wall at the steps could be raised to allow for improved grading to direct ground water away from the outer wall and toward the swale that leads into the storm sewer in the area. Fred Schlimm is the Green Township individual to be contacted. The Township remains dedicated to the proper upkeep of the courts as evidenced by this activity. It would be helpful to have more contact between the Township and the GCHA to coordinate maintenance activity to preserve and improve the courts over the long term. Perhaps Mr. Schlimm would be willing to meet periodically with a group from the GCHA to discuss mutual interests. Future projects for the courts include: Staining the outer court walls to add visual interest to the courts; Raising the block wall at the court steps; Regrading the soil around the East outer wall to promote drainage; Adding a drain in the area near the plaque; Raising the fence on top of the courts to reject errant shots; Additional benches of the concrete and wood design (not plastic); Adding a bulletin board for posting notices of interest; Continued interest in erecting a shelter between the courts and the soccer field.

Texas Hold 'em Night - Greg Fite suggested that GCHA hold a poker night for the membership. Bob Hiance suggested dedicating proceeds to the support of college handball teams.

Cleveland Memorial; Eastlake, OH
2004 George Miller Sr. Memorial (Toledo); Bowling Green, OH
Queen City Shootout
State of Ohio Championships; Cleveland, OH
USHA National Masters Singles; Cincinnati, OH
11th Annual Cleveland Invitational; Mentor, OH

October 22nd - 24th (Fri.- Sun.)
November 12th - 14th (Fri.- Sun.)
December 3rd - 5th (Fri.- Sun.)
February 18th-20th, 2005 (Fri.- Sun.)
April 7th - 10th, 2005 (Thr.- Sun.)
May 20-22, 2005 (Fri.-Sun.)

Queen City Shootout - The Queen City Shootout is scheduled for December 3rd, 4th and 5th at Paul Baker's Athletic Club @ Waycross. Greg Fite is tournament director, with George Lehocky serving as primary support. George Lehocky reports that sponsorship is provided by Power3 Fitness Coaching, Charles Brown CLU and Company, Madeira Chiropractic and Rosselot Financial Group. Contacts have been made with Toledo and Indianapolis to promote participation. Seventy-five shirts have been ordered -- white t-shirts with logo on the back, sponsors on the front. Trophies will be long-sleeved turtle-neck shirts. Board members will meet on Tuesday, November 23rd at Waycross, 7:00 pm after play to call players. The tournament draw will take place on November 30th.

USHA National Masters Singles - The dates for this tournament are Thursday, April 7th through Sunday, April 10th. The banquet will be held Saturday evening at Sam Minielli's banquet hall, Tori's Station in Fairfield. Committee work continues with particular aspects related to the tournament, including finance, food, hospitality and sponsorship. The plan is to have sponsorship finalized by December, and feature a multi-tiered approach with appropriate perks. (Name on courts, name on shirts, names in entry form, etc.)

Two hotels want to be considered for advertisement to the players. Lee's Inn is offering a rate of $79 for a double/king, $99 for a suite. AmeriSuites is offering $69 for double/king and a hot breakfast. The Holiday Inn atRoute 42 has also offered rooms for $69. The Hampton Inn is also being pursued.

The finalized entry form has been forwarded to the USHA for publication in upcoming editions of Handball magazine. Jack also prepared a written report detailing the current status of committee work related to the tournament.

Midwest Regional - Jack Prather also reports that the May tournament in Cleveland may become the regional tournament.

Other?

Board

Other -

College Handball - Rumor has it that the Miami Handball Team is undergoing some reorganizaiton pains. The UK team has announced their winter tournament, to be held in January.

Service Award - George Lehocky suggested creation of a GCHA handball service award, to be presented at future Annual Fall Meetings. Board members will consider this idea at a future meeting.

Next
Meeting

Scheduled date: Wednesday, December 1st, 7:00 pm
Tentative location: Waycross Court Club

Board

Open to all members