In it's fourth annual "running", Denver’s annual Racquet for the Cure Tournament once again topped the charts for participation by offering a fun-packed, full day of intense team play. 

With this year’s goal set at raising $5000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a great deal of credit goes to all the sponsors and players for making this event the most successful to date. A new mixed doubles round, plus other fundraising events, special donations and involvement by Colorado women, all combined to help us reach our goal. 

We kicked off with mixed doubles on Friday night, which drew 30 teams that played 20 minute round robins at all levels. The energy that filled the Lakewood Athletic Club was irrefutable, and I’d never seen so much excitement over competition. Some of the players had never even met before being teamed up that night. 

Our featured LPRA guests this year were Jackie Paraiso-Rice and Kristin Walsh [shown L-R, at right>], who headlined the “Play with the Pro” fundraiser during the mixed doubles event. In some cases (mostly among the men) it was a play against the pro. Between munching on pizza and enjoying the entertainment, lots of oohs and aahs came from the crowd, as both new and experienced players stepped onto the court to face the pros. Jackie and Kristin relaxed into the atmosphere and played to their usual high-level, left- or right-handed. Throughout the expanded Friday format, new friendships were formed along with a more complete understanding about the Racquet for the Cure tournament itself. Special thanks go out to both Jackie and Kristin, and also to “the guys” for bringing even more enthusiasm to the project.

Happy winners at the event banquet. Photos by Dan Davis.

On Saturday, the largest women’s tournament held in the state of Colorado opened with 54 women checking in to challenge their way to the top of their divisions. For those who didn’t reach the top, just when you thought you’d be done (after already losing two matches), you’d find your name in the consolation, of the consolation, for the losers’ bracket! It was insane, and more racquetball than anyone can expect to encounter in a single day. But we were inspired after watching Jackie and Kristin challenge each other in four games while – from the sidelines — local pro Jo Shattuck led the traditional “wave” every time one of the ladies dove for a ball. That type of crowd involvement only brings out the best in the players on the court, and once they were done, they didn’t even stop for a break before offering clinics to separate groups of ten eager students each. We all look forward to following the rest of the LPRA season, after meeting these top pros “up close and personal.”

The banquet forced players to drag their exhausted bodies away from the club to a catered meal, and even though the beer cart didn’t fit through the doors, we still managed to fight the cold to donate a bit more money to the cause. Every player was given a chance to choose their own prize from the awards table, which was loaded with over a dozen top-of-the-line frames, bags, shirts, gloves and eyeguards, not to mention signature items sent by the LPRA players. Our guest speaker, from the Denver-based Susan G. Komen Foundation affiliate, shared how the money raised from the event would be best utilized. Our event, which we are trying to expand to a national level, will continue to support breast cancer research and also help those in medical need. Thanks to our largest corporate partner, Wilson Sports, money for this effort is now being raised in 13 different cities through a variety of one- and two-day events. So far this season, our grand reported total for the Foundation has been over $15,000! 

Each year, as we begin planning the “Racquet for the Cure” tournament, our goals get higher and higher. At the inaugural 1999 event we raised $200, then tripled it the following year with $600 in 2000. Last year we achieved a five-fold jump to $3000 and this year, with a generous “over the top” contribution by Howard and Theresa Tilton, we were able to hit our latest goal of $5000. In all, the fourth annual event was the best yet!

Our goals for next year will be even higher, and with the type of encouragement and support we’ve enjoyed from sponsors, supporters, players and friends, we’re certain to reach those new goals as well. See you in 2004!