AUBURN - There are few slow moments on the racquetball courts at the Auburn YMCA.
Most any given day players are honing their skills or playing a quick pick-up game.
And of course, year-round there are the numerous leagues that take place.
In just a couple weeks, the last session of the Monday Night Racquetball League will be coming to an end and by Jan. 28, the next league will be up and running.
Dorothea Hughes, associate executive director at the YMCA and director of the racquetball league was surprised when she realized just how long the league has been running.
“Twenty-three years,” Hughes said. “It really has been here for a long time.”
And since the beginning the league has only gained in popularity.
“It used to be just mid-September,” Hughes said.
“But now we have sessions all year and we have added more as the demand has increased so have the number of sessions we offer.”
Currently leagues run pretty much year-round, with fall, winter and summer leagues being a fixture at the Y.
The longevity and popularity of the league can be attributed to several key factors, first and foremost of those simply being the universal nature of a game like racquetball.
“It is something everyone can play,” Hughes said. “We always get a good mix of players of all skill levels and abilities. We have older players mixed with younger players, men, women; everybody is welcome to take part in this league.”
Hughes pointed to players like Sonny Monroe, Bill Brown and Tony Falcicchio, who have been regular competitors for over 20 years.
“They were here in the very first league,” Hughes said. “And they are still playing. We get some really dedicated players, people who are always on the courts and are always part of all the leagues every session.”
Secondarily, Hughes said the way the league is set up makes it very accessible and easy for players to commit to.
The Monday night leagues run for five weeks every Monday night beginning at around 5:15 p.m. and running until about 9 p.m.
“We are pretty flexible,” Hughes said. “If someone wants to play early we try to find a way to make that happen. I think it is nice because it isn't a big commitment of your time. You know on Monday night you are going to be playing at a certain time and you can come in and play and go home. I think for a lot of people with families and work, this is a nice way to be able to be a part of a league like this and not have it take up all your time.”
And not to be forgotten are the actual competitive aspects of the league.
Hughes said that players get involved for a variety of reasons and racquetball does have a lot to offer, from health benefits to strong competition.
“It is a competitive league,” Hughes said. “And I think people do enjoy the competitive aspects of it. It is different than just playing a pick-up game or something like that; it is a little more formal. I think the competition makes it a little more exciting.”
But there really is more to it than just the competition.
“People play to improve their skills,” Hughes said. “You get to play a lot of other players you might not play otherwise. I think this helps a lot of people take their game to the next level and improve and sharpen their skills.”
At the end of each five week session there always a closing ceremony where players get to meet up without their racquets and just have a good time.
“We usually meet at a restaurant like Daut's Hughes said. ”And we have a little awards ceremony and everything; it is a nice way to wrap up the session.“
For whatever reasons anyone may join the leagues, one thing is certain, they fill up quick.
“We usually always fill up,” Hughes said. “We can have up to 48 players and most the time we'll have 48 and still have a waiting list of people that want to play if there is an opening for any reason.”
Because of Christmas and New Year's, the last session is still running for another two weeks, but Hughes said there is still room for more players for the next session that will begin Jan. 28.
For more information contact Dorothea Hughes at the Auburn YMCA at 253-5304.
And of course, year-round there are the numerous leagues that take place.
In just a couple weeks, the last session of the Monday Night Racquetball League will be coming to an end and by Jan. 28, the next league will be up and running.
Dorothea Hughes, associate executive director at the YMCA and director of the racquetball league was surprised when she realized just how long the league has been running.
“Twenty-three years,” Hughes said. “It really has been here for a long time.”
And since the beginning the league has only gained in popularity.
“It used to be just mid-September,” Hughes said.
“But now we have sessions all year and we have added more as the demand has increased so have the number of sessions we offer.”
Currently leagues run pretty much year-round, with fall, winter and summer leagues being a fixture at the Y.
The longevity and popularity of the league can be attributed to several key factors, first and foremost of those simply being the universal nature of a game like racquetball.
“It is something everyone can play,” Hughes said. “We always get a good mix of players of all skill levels and abilities. We have older players mixed with younger players, men, women; everybody is welcome to take part in this league.”
Hughes pointed to players like Sonny Monroe, Bill Brown and Tony Falcicchio, who have been regular competitors for over 20 years.
“They were here in the very first league,” Hughes said. “And they are still playing. We get some really dedicated players, people who are always on the courts and are always part of all the leagues every session.”
Secondarily, Hughes said the way the league is set up makes it very accessible and easy for players to commit to.
The Monday night leagues run for five weeks every Monday night beginning at around 5:15 p.m. and running until about 9 p.m.
“We are pretty flexible,” Hughes said. “If someone wants to play early we try to find a way to make that happen. I think it is nice because it isn't a big commitment of your time. You know on Monday night you are going to be playing at a certain time and you can come in and play and go home. I think for a lot of people with families and work, this is a nice way to be able to be a part of a league like this and not have it take up all your time.”
And not to be forgotten are the actual competitive aspects of the league.
Hughes said that players get involved for a variety of reasons and racquetball does have a lot to offer, from health benefits to strong competition.
“It is a competitive league,” Hughes said. “And I think people do enjoy the competitive aspects of it. It is different than just playing a pick-up game or something like that; it is a little more formal. I think the competition makes it a little more exciting.”
But there really is more to it than just the competition.
“People play to improve their skills,” Hughes said. “You get to play a lot of other players you might not play otherwise. I think this helps a lot of people take their game to the next level and improve and sharpen their skills.”
At the end of each five week session there always a closing ceremony where players get to meet up without their racquets and just have a good time.
“We usually meet at a restaurant like Daut's Hughes said. ”And we have a little awards ceremony and everything; it is a nice way to wrap up the session.“
For whatever reasons anyone may join the leagues, one thing is certain, they fill up quick.
“We usually always fill up,” Hughes said. “We can have up to 48 players and most the time we'll have 48 and still have a waiting list of people that want to play if there is an opening for any reason.”
Because of Christmas and New Year's, the last session is still running for another two weeks, but Hughes said there is still room for more players for the next session that will begin Jan. 28.
For more information contact Dorothea Hughes at the Auburn YMCA at 253-5304.
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