Contents

GCHA Calendar

* Story with photos and final results in bracket form

Vern Roberts, Jr., Special Guest

President's Message

My Fellow Handballers,

Good Bye 02. Hello 03!!

Lots of handball activity ahead. See the GCHA Calendar for the tournaments/events planned in 2003.
Opportunities to compete, play the great game and socialize with others. I look forward to serving once again as President of the Board. During my last term, we launched the 3-Wall Courts project.

Jim Krailler "passes the gavel" to George Lehocky

Thanks very much to Jim Krailler, past President and Supreme gcha.org WebMaster, for letting me inherit a smooth operation and staying on the Board. His creation/work on the GCHA website has been nothing less than fantastic. His work on the report of the Ireland trip deserves a Pulitzer prize. (Now if he could just get his tournament performances to the same level.) If you haven't, check out the website at www.gcha.org. You will be impressed! I'm so pleased I didn't scare off others on the Board and am deeply grateful that Bob Burkitt, Jack Dean, and Mike Reilly will continue to serve on the Board. Add David Kent and Bob Hiance and we've got a hell of team representing/serving the membership.

A legend, George Morano, decided to leave the Board but will still be consulted for his wisdom, and of course will continue to write those great articles for the Shortline. He was recently presented a Life Time Service Award by the GCHA . Not bad for a "missing link." When you see these men, please thank them for the services they perform for GCHA on your behalf.

In closing, you should know that the GCHA is financially sound and we want to keep it that way. Sooo, if you haven't renewed your GCHA membership, please do so now AND encourage other handballers to join. Recruit new members. An application form is included in this Shortline.

I look forward to seeing you in an exciting 2003.

Congratulations, Jack.

The Greater Cincinnati Handball Association (GCHA) held it's annual Fall Meeting and Member Appreciation Party on Monday, October 14th at the Athletic Club @ Waycross. Paul Baker, local handball fixture and national four-wall champion, recently acquired ownership of this club and hopes to make it the premier indoor handball facility in the Cincinnati area.

Group photo from Fall Party at Fitness Club @ Waycross

Of course, handball started the evening, with a few hours of spirited doubles competition. After the normal locker-room banter and some group photo opportunities, food and drinks were served as the group held it's annual business meeting.

Outgoing President Jim Krailler presented some details of upcoming activities, including the "Ireland Adventure" trip, December's Queen City ShootOut Tournament and the Winter Doubles league. There were also short discussions of the treasury, merchandise available for sale, the ShortLine (quarterly newsletter) and the website, www.gcha.org. Next, the 2003 GCHA Board was introduced: President, George Lehocky; Vice-President, Bob Burkitt; Treasurer, David Kent; Secretary/Webmaster, Jim Krailler; At-Large members Jack Dean, Bob Hiance and Mike Reilly.

New president George Lehocky then presented George Morano (in abstentia) with a Distinguished Leadership Award for his years of service to the GCHA Board, as well as a lifetime of working to promote handball to anyone who would listen. Jim Krailler received a plaque in appreciation for his term as Board President, and Dan Bartlett was awarded a can of balls for sheer dedication, having driven up from his home in Lexington, KY just to attend the event.

Next, George introduced a man who came even farther, Vern Roberts Jr., Executive Director of the United States Handball Association. Vern had traveled from Tucson back in Cincinnati for the first time in many years on USHA business, and was gracious enough to spend much of his two day visit participating in GCHA events. Vern shared some of the priorities and upcoming challenges for the USHA and its governing board. Relocation plans and dreams were presented, along with a list of factors which will affect the outcome and timing of this possible venture. He talked about the excitement and challenges of handball's changing demographics, incorporating more women and junior age players, and trying to serve four-wall, three-wall and one-wall advocates.

Vern Roberts presents Paul Baker with a Pro-Tour shirt for the gallery walls at Fitness Club @ Waycross.

Finally, Vern presented local players with a number of items from the USHA's merchandise collection, and presented Paul Baker with a special, personal memento to help christen his new club, one of his national championship shirts which he autographed and made "suitable for framing" to cap the formal meeting.

Thanks to Paul Baker, Vern Roberts Jr., to the Board members who planned the evenings' events, and to all who attended, 2002's Annual Fall Meeting was a rousing success. (And speaking of Rouse...)

The annual Fall membership drive is in its final stages, and as of publication have 87 members, well short of last year's 120, our highest in many years.  If you haven't done so already, you can start or renew your membership electronically by completing the on-line membership form, and follow up by mailing the check. (Why not do it now, while it's fresh on your mind! The link above opens a new window with the form.)

One new option on this year's form is to specify how you'd like to receive the ShortLine. With rising costs, you can save GCHA the expense of printing and postage if you read the on-line version of the ShortLine. Remember, reading the web version is guaranteed to be anthrax-free, and you can feel extra good knowing that you've saved some paper and helped the environment.