The February 2005 GCHA Board meeting was held on Wednesday, February 2nd, at approximately 7:00 pm.

Attendance - Board members George Lehocky, Jack Dean, David Kent, Jim Krailler, Bob Burkitt, Greg Fite, Bob Hiance, Dave Laxton, Will Straw and Mike Reilly (who mostly watched the UC basketball game at the bar) were in attendance. Jack Prather and Roger Knudson also attended.

Corrections and additions to January 2005 minutes

Review of Minutes - The minutes of the previous meeting, as amended 1/29/05 and posted on the website, were approved.

Income / Expenditures / Current balance
Membership Report

David Kent
Jim Krailler

Income / Expenditures / Current balance - Treasurer David Kent presented the financial report. The current balance of the GCHA checking account is $11,492.36. There is still one outstanding payment of a $250.00 sponsorship for the Queen City Shootout.

Membership Report - Jim Krailler reports that the 2005 roster currently lists 101 members; an additional five members were added at the meeting itself. A mailing, including a self-addressed envelope, was sent to 85 non-renewed members on December 30th. A list of those who have not responded to that mailing was distributed, and various board members volunteered to make one additional phone or email contact to solicit membership.

USHA National Masters Singles; Cincinnati, OH
Waycross Leagues
Collegiate Handball Teams

Jack Prather
Paul Baker
Board

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 soon, and feature a multi-tiered approach with appropriate perks. (Name on courts, name on shirts, names in entry form, etc.) The entry form has been published in the USHA's Handball magazine. There are 13 divisions of players, including two women's divisions. A proposed budget projection was distributed to the Board members.

Members of the fund-rasing committee have met with Joe Nuxhall and discussed using his foundation to solicit funds in conjunction with the banquet. Kim Nuxhall, Joe's son, has been approached as the spokesperson for the Nuxhall foundation, but to date, this relationship is not working out in the GCHA's favor. Whether Joe Nuxhall will appear at the banquet to speak is uncertain. As of the February Board meeting, tournament players are still expected to be included in the banquet as part of their entry fee. Others will be charged. Proceeds from the banquet will need to exceed $5,000 to cover all expenses. Seating capacity of the smaller hall at Tori's Station is 300 seats, with projected attendance of 150 from the tournament.

George Lehocky presented (via prior email) a draft of a letter to be sent to targetted, prospective tournament players from the USHA 's member roster. Bob Burkitt proposed that Ralph Weil conduct a referees' clinic prior to the National Masters, to prepare local players for the tasks.

Subsequent to the Board meeting, Board President George Lehocky arranged a series of weekly meetings to address player participation and fund raising.

Waycross Leagues - Paul Baker reports the second round of the doubles league will begin on Friday, February 4, and that the singles flex league is still in the planning stages.

Collegiate Handball - Roger Knudson, faculty sponsor of the Miami University Handball Team, requested financial assistance for team members to attend the USHA's National Collegiate Tournament, scheduled for Minneapolis, February 23rd - 27th. In response, the Board voted to donate $200, plus free GCHA membership to each of the team members, in return for directory information. (Roger has subsequently submitted this information, and ten Miami students have been added to the GCHA member roster.) Jim Krailler will also send an email to Zach Arem to encourage the players from the UK Handball Team to also sign up for GCHA membership.

Event

Dates

State Of Ohio Championships - Six Cincinnati players attended this event in Cleveland. Jack Prather and Ron Rosselot won the 50+ doubles championship, defeating Bob Bardueau and Joe Hensler. Overall, 97 players participated in this year's event.

Smith Brothers Birthday Celebration
Reds Outing
Caples 3-Wall Memorial
Other?

George Lehocky
George Lehocky
Jim Krailler
Board

Smith Brothers Birthday Celebration - George Lehocky has made arrangements for a party to honor Pete and Paul Smith. The event will be held on Monday, February 21, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Washington Platform Restaurant, and will celebrate their achievement as well as recognize other senior level handballers in the community and to honor the late/great Art Mahaffey. Between them, Paul and Pete represent over 100 years of handball and have the stories to prove it.

Reds Outing - George Lehocky has secured 30 tickets in the right field bleachers for the Friday, June 17th game between the Reds and the Atlanta Braves. Tickets are $20 each, available on a first-served basis.

Caples 3-Wall Memorial - Jim Krailler asked for input regarding the date for this year's 3-wall tournament. Board members agreed that the early June timeframe was desirable. Jim will contact the Michigan Handball Association to avoid conflicting with their tournaments.

Other -

Jim Wohl - Board members voted unanimously to recognize Jim Wohl for his dedicated leadership with the UC Handball Team.

Donation - George Morano's brother, James, passed away in January. The GCHA donated $25 to the Elder Foundation, the charity of choice.

Next
Meeting

Scheduled date:
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2005; 7:00 pm

Location:
Athletic Club @ Waycross
1990 Waycross Road
Cincinnati, OH 45240
513-742-1700

Open to all members