Racquetball club builds recognition with first match

This past weekend was a turning point for the club racquetball team – the team made its first appearance at a college tournament at the University of Louisville.\nThe tournament helped the team gain wider recognition by showcasing its skills in front of other universities, which is the club’s goal in its second year of existence, said sophomore Jack Coleman, vice president and second safety officer of the racquetball team.\nColeman, along with freshmen Mary Pryse and Jessica Nicholas, traveled to Kentucky this weekend to represent IU at the tournament. Pryse, who played raquetball for four years for her high school team, said she hopes to continue competing and hopefully run for a position on the club.\nBecause the team is relatively new, it only has six members. Every club team is appointed a faculty member who has prior knowledge in the sport in order to be able to help them with the rules and regulations. Jim Tippin is the faculty advisor for the racquetball team. This was Tippin’s first week back at the job after being out since September for an ACL injury. Tippin has been playing and instructing racquetball at IU for the past 26 years. \nFor Tippin, the excitement comes from instructing others. \n“I like to walk around the courts, see who needs help, and give them a pointer or two,” Tippin said.\nTippin said he enjoys being the faculty adviser for the team because the students who are involved are wonderful to work with. He thinks Coleman has a bright future on the team. \n“He is a very enthusiastic and detail-oriented individual,” Tippin said. “He will bring great things to this club because he follows through,” Tippin said. \nColeman wants to sign the team up for more tournaments and get the word out about its existence. One of his goals is to host an open tournament at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building either this spring or early next fall. He hopes racquetball equipment companies like Ektelon will notice the team’s efforts and sponsor them, or at least provide a discount, like they do with many other large universities.\nFor Coleman and the rest of the racquetball team, the current goal is to get more public awareness out about the club and prepare for a tournament at Ohio State University at the beginning of March.