RACQUETBALL ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN

WELCOME TO THE

RAM HALL OF FAME

MEMBERS

< 1984-1993

RANDY MINTO 2002

Randy was inducted into the Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame because of the contributions made by him and the Davison Athletic Club.

Randy was married, to Carla, in 1983 and has 2 boys and 1 girl.

Randy has been a player, organizer and manager of racquetball for over 23 years. He has been involved in leagues, lessons, junior programs, certified instructors, state tournaments, regional tournaments, national tournaments, pro tournaments and many other things over the years.

Some of Randy’s accomplishments over the years are:

State Doubles Championships: Has had them 2 different times
State Singles Championships: Has had them 5 different times
Junior Regionals: Has had them 2 different times
Adult Regionals: Has had them 3 different times
Hosted 6 national exhibitions Notables: Cliff Swain, Dave Johnson, Michelle Gould, Lynn Adams, Don Thomas, Chris Cole, Jack Huczak and Mike Yellen
Davison Athletic Club: Was the original home for the Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame
Junior Nationals: Had over 600 participants in 1982
Natural/Bud Light: Hosted and assisted in this Pro stop 1978-90. This was, for 13 years, the longest running Pro stop in the United States.

Randy broke the Guinness Book of World Records for longest consecutive time for playing racquetball. He played 102 hours 13 minutes and 42 seconds from September 1 to September 5 in 1978.

When asked what he hoped that people would remember about him he replied:

“Being a person that has great passion for the game of racquetball. For Putting countless hours of time and dedication in running first class tournaments and keeping the sport of racquetball alive and well in the state of Michigan. For making Davison Athletic Club The Premier Club in the state for its racquetball participation and programs."

DIANNE EASTERLING 2003

Dianne Easterling was inducted into the Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame because of her leadership. She has given many hours of her time and talent for racquetball over the years.

Dianne began playing in 1978 at the Oak Park Athletic Club in Lansing, Michigan and played in her first tournament in 1979 finishing first in the Women’s C division.

Some of Dianne’s accomplishments over the years include:

1981 Elected to the Michigan Racquetball Association (MRA)
1981-84 Elected Treasurer of MRA
1981-84 Ran many MRA State Singles and State Doubles tournaments
1983 Received MRA Contribution Award
1984 Instrumental in the merger of MRA and MARA to form RAM
1984-91 Elected Treasurer of RAM
1984-91 Head of Tournament Sanctioning for RAM
1987 Received RAM Contribution Award
1988-91 Publisher of RAM newsletter
1988-90 Co-tournament director for AARA Regional Tournaments
1989-03 Co-tournament director for Seniors Masters Tournaments in Michigan

Dianne has been married to Jim Easterling since 1985.As

an MRA board member she developed the following concepts for Michigan players: team competition, Michigan clubs waiving guest fees for MRA members, MRA membership cards for all members and the MRA ranking system. Dianne also, in 1982, developed and published Michigan’s only Court Club Guide.

When asked what she hoped that people would remember about her she replied:

“I hope people will remember that while I was not a national level caliber player, I demonstrated great commitment to the sport of racquetball at the state level. I was a state board member and treasurer for 10 years. I worked in many other capacities on the state board (tournament sponsorship, newsletter editor, rankings coordinator, tournament sanctioning coordinator) to allow the Michigan player to have top notch quality tournaments and avenues for competition and fellowship with other Michigan players”.

DUANE RUSSELL 2003

Duane began playing in 1976 at the Lansing YMCA at the age of 50. His first racquetball tournament was in 1980 at the same club. He came in 1st in the Men’s B.

Duane was inducted into the Hall of Fame because of his outstanding playing ability, especially in National Masters Racquetball Association (NMRA) and United State Racquetball Association (USRA) and other national tournaments.

Some of Duane’s racquetball accomplishments include:

1992 Michigan State Singles Championships (Taylor, MI) 65+ 1st
1997 NMRA National Doubles (Baltimore, MD) 70+ 1st
1997 USRA National Mixed Doubles (Phoenix, AZ) 65+ 1st
1998 USRA National Mixed Doubles ( Baltimore, MD) 70+ 1st
1999 USRA National Mixed Doubles (Baltimore, MD) 70+ 1st
2001 15th World Senior Championships (St. George, UT) 75+ 1st
2001 USRA National Mixed Doubles (Las Vegas, NV) 70+ 1st
2001 USRA National Doubles (Las Vegas, NV) 75+ 1st
2001 17th International Racquetball Federation World Seniors 75+ 1st (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
2002 USRA National Singles (Houston, TX) 75+ 1st

In all of the mixed doubles championships that Duane won, his wife JoAnn, was his doubles partner. Duane was ranked 1st in the 75+ in the July-August 2002 issue of the USRA Racquetball Magazine.

Duane was also on the Racquetball Association of Michigan (RAM) board as secretary from 1986 until 1993.

When asked what he hoped that people would remember about him his reply was:

“I have always endeavored to perform at my best to represent Michigan and uphold our history of racquetball excellence. Racquetball has been a major contributor to my health and fitness. I cherish the friendships developed in Michigan, the United States and Canada over many years of play. I hope to be remembered as a strong and fair competitor.”

TOM BLAKESLEE 2004

Tom started playing racquetball at the age of 32 taking lessons from Tom Brownlee at the Southfield Athletic Club. He was inspired by Mike Yellen, Al Kaline and Leonard Karpellis who all played at this club.

Tom was inducted into the Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame because of his playing skill and his contribution he has made to racquetball over the years.

Some of Tom’s accomplishments over the years are:

1991 Adult Regionals at Mt. Clemens Singles M40 2nd
1995 RAM State Singles Championships M45 1st
1996 RAM State Singles Championships M45 1st
1998 RAM Doubles Championships – partner Jack White M35 1st
1999 RAM State Singles Championships M45 1st
1999 RAM Doubles Championships – partner Jack White M40 1st
2001 RAM Doubles Championships – partner Jim Panasiewicz M50 1st
2003 RAM Doubles Championships – partner Jack White M45 1st
1984 Joined the RAM board and was on the ranking committee
1985 Was his first year as Vice-President of RAM (also Vice President in 1986)
1987 Was the Junior Regional Director
1987 Was his first year as President of RAM (also President in 1988-89-90)
1994 Was the President of RAM (also 1995-96-97-98-99-00-01-02)

Tom has come in 2nd in many State Single and State Doubles Championships, that are not mentioned here, but he will be most remembered for being on the RAM board for 20 years (as of right now) and being President of RAM for 13 years.

“I consider it a tremendous honor to be elected by my peers to reside with such a prestigious group of players in the Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame. I am proud of the accomplishments, stability and influence that occurred during my 20 plus year tenure on the RAM Board of Directors. Finally, I would like to be remembered as someone who became a pretty good player, because above all else, I just love to play the game. That’s the fun part!”

KEN BONNETT 2005

Ken’s experience all started in 1978 when a fellow teacher and friend informed him that a racquetball club was opening down the street from his school and they were looking for teachers to work on a part time basis. He began working and learning the game of racquetball at the Racquetball Wizard in Kentwood, MI.

Ken was inducted into the Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame because of his contribution he has made to racquetball over the years.

Some of Ken’s accomplishments over the years are:

1979 Organized a Junior Racquetball Club at his school.
1982 Served a term as President of the Grand Rapids Racquetball Patron’s
Association (GRRPA). The GRRPA was an organization to promote junior racquetball in Michigan.
1985 As part of the GRRPA and RAM, he chaperoned juniors from all around Michigan to various Junior National Events.
1985-89 He assisted juniors to events in Indiana, Illinois, Colorado, Missouri,
California, Texas, and Florida.
1989 Ken formed his own tournament series in Michigan, “Racquetball
One”. The Racquetball One Series started at six events and ended
in 1999 at twelve events.
1990 Became a RAM Board member.
1991 Received the “Contribution Award” from RAM.

Ken has also won many tournaments over the years. He has won Men’s 45 Doubles, Men’s 55 Singles at State Tournaments, and Senior’s Master’s Tournaments. In the 1990’s at one time he was ranked as high as 3rd Nationally in his age group.

He was a teaching Pro at various clubs in the 1980’s & 90”s introducing the sport to adults as well as kids.

Ken is a retired school guidance counselor and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was born in October 1946 and has 3 children (Joel, Nicole, and Jana) and 6 grandchildren.

Ken hopes people will remember:

The energy and enthusiasm he brought to the sport; his work with Junior’s in the 80’s and 90’s; his Racquetball One Tournament Series which provided players with lots of play, on time matches, and lots of fun; and last of all, for all those who have played him over the years, his multi-wall splat (junk/garbage) shots!

CHRIS COLE 2006

Chris played his first racquetball tournament at the United States National Singles Championships in 1978 at the Sports Illustrated Lemontree Club in Belleville, MI.

Chris was inducted into the RAM Hall of Fame because of his playing ability and also his contributions made to racquetball over the years.

A few of his racquetball accomplishments are:

Won a Michigan Junior State Championship in every age: 13 & under, 15 & under, (then junior’s divisions changed) 16 & under, 18 & under
At 15, broke Mike Yellen’s record for youngest to win a Michigan State Singles
Championship Men’s Open
Won at least five Michigan Men’s Open State Singles Championships
With different partners, Jimmy Floyd, Troy Hall, Stu Hastings, won five
Michigan Open State Doubles Championships
In 2001 won Bronze at National Doubles in Mixed 30+ with Sandy White
In 1992 won Tournament of the Americas, US National Singles, and World
Championship Singles all in a row in April, May, and August.
In 1994 & 95 was Head Coach for US Junior National Team
For 8 years was an instructor at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado
In 1995, received Award For Fair Play by IOC in Rome
From 1990 to 1994 on the Board of Directors of RAM (1992-94 was President)
From 2000 to 2003 on the Board of Directors of USRA and USOC (2001-03)

Chris became the first racquetball athlete elected to the USOC’s Athletes Advisory Council Board of Directors by the 45-sport AAC membership; he was also elected by the AAC to be on the USOC Board of Directors. He was appointed to the USOC Team Delegation & Review Committee (oversight/approval of all Olympic sports’ selection procedures) and the USOC 2012 Summer Games Search Committee that helped select the US bid city for the 2012 Summer Games, New York City, from a field of eight candidate cities.

Chris was born in 1967; his immediate family includes mother Carol, father L. Lee and stepmother Dawn, brother Jason and sister-in-law Anna, nephew and niece Ian and Abigail.

What Chris will remember about the game:

“All the great people, in Michigan, and around the country I have met, but most especially everyone at the Davison Athletic Club; and playing with integrity and fairness as taught by my parents and coach Jim Hiser.”

JIMMY FLOYD 2006

Jimmy started playing racquetball in September of 1976 at the Davison Racquetball Club at the ripe old age of 6 years old.

He played his first racquetball tournament in March 1977 and came in 3rd in the Juniors Boys 13 & under.

Some of Jimmy’s racquetball accomplishments include:

1980 USRA Junior National Championships 1st Place 10 & Under
1988 Michigan Junior Athlete of the Year
1988 High School National Champion
1988 Won Sportsmanship Award at Junior World Championships
1989 Michigan Male Athlete of the Year
1989 Intercollegiate National Champion (Finalist in 90, 91, 92)
1989 Olympic Festival Gold Medal
1989 Davison Bud Light Open 2nd Place Men’s Pro
1989 Member of US National Team (also in 90 & 91)
1990 AARA National Doubles Championships 1st Place Men’s Open
1991 Tournament of the Americas – Doubles 1st Place Men’s Open
1991 Pacific Rim Championships – Doubles 1st Place Men’s Open
1992 AARA National Doubles Championships 2nd Place Men’s Open

Jimmy has won numerous State and Regional titles in MI, AZ, and IL over the years including 1st place in the Men’s Open at the Michigan State Championships in 1989 and 2003.

His biggest regret “I never beat Aaron Metaj!” And his greatest sports moment “Winning the Gold Medal with Coaches Jim Hiser and Stu Hastings at the US Olympic Festival in Oklahoma in 1989.”

When asked what he hoped that people would remember about him his reply was:

“Racquetball has given me some life-long friendships and the number one thing I hope people remember about me is my love for this sport goes beyond playing – it goes to the wonderful players I have met along the way. Keep playing and most of all, have fun!”

CRAIG FINGER 2007

Craig was inducted into the Michigan Racquetball Hall of Fame because of his exceptional playing skill in national competition.

Craig started playing racquet sports in 1967 and played is first racquetball tournament in 1970.

A few of his most impressive racquetball accomplishments, and paddleball, include:

Racquetball

1970 Midwest Regional Singles 2nd Place Men’s Open
1970 Regional Doubles – with Paul Lawrence 1st Place Men’s Open
1970 International Racquetball Association Championships def Charlie Brumfield 1st Place Men’s Open
1971 IRA Championships – lost to Bill Schmitke 2nd Place Men’s Open
1973 Chabot Open Singles lost to Brumfield 2nd Place Men’s Open
1973 Chabot Open Doubles – with Charles Drake 2nd Place Men’s Open
1973-85 Six-time intramural men’s singles champion at University of Michigan

Paddleball

1969 National Paddleball Association Championships 4th Place Men’s Open
1970 NPA Championships – lost to C. Brumfield 2nd Place Men’s Open
1971 NPA Championships – lost to Steve Keeley 2nd Place Men’s Open
1971 NPA Doubles – with Paul Lawrence 1st Place Men’s Open
1972 NPA Championships 3rd Place Men’s Open

Craig was born in 1945 and now lives in East Lansing Michigan. Married Melinda and now has 3 children.

When asked what he hoped people would remember about him he said:

“I hope people will remember me as a gentleman on the court and as a player whose game was characterized by court coverage, precision lobs, and soft touch kills in an era when the Seamco “Black 558” Seamless ball encouraged that the game be played less with power, and more with positioning and control.”

FRED WIEGAND 2007

Fred started playing racquetball in 1972 at the Birmingham YMCA.

He played, and won, his first tournament in 1973 at the Birmingham YMCA. Fred is sponsored by E-Force.

Some of Fred’s racquetball accomplishments include:

1977 Three Days in May Tournament 1st Place Seniors
1977 Southfield Athletic Club 1st Place Masters
1977 Leach Seamco Pro Stop 1st Place Masters
1977 Mid-East Regionals – Sylvania, OH 1st Place Masters
1977 MRA State Singles in Lansing 1st Place Masters
1978 MRA State Singles in Lansing 1st Place Masters
1978 USRA Regionals – Cleveland, OH 2nd Place Masters
1979 MRA State Singles in Lansing 2nd Place Masters
1979 Capital City Classic in Lansing 2nd Place Masters
1979 MRA State Doubles – partner Lynn Hahn 1st Place Masters
1979 National Invitational – Jacksonville, FL 3rd Place Masters
1980 MRA – Dearborn Athletic Club 1st Place Masters
1980 MRA – Franklin Racquet Club 2nd Place Masters
1997 RAM State Singles Championships 2nd Place 65+
2006 US Open – Memphis, TN 1st Place 75+

Fred was born in 1931 in Syracuse New York. He earned seven letters in High School in Track, Cross Country, and Tennis. He graduated from high school in1949 and then enrolled at Syracuse University. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1953. He then went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Automotive Engineering in 1955.

Fred married his wife Nancy in 1953. He has four children and 6 grandchildren and now lives in Texas.

When asked what he hoped that people would remember about him his reply was:

“I think I would want to be remembered as a rather quiet, low-keyed guy and for the style and tactics I used to play the game. Without natural court speed and power, I needed to develop a game plan that relied on ball control, finesse and a variety of shots, especially the pinch shot. Over the years, this has worked for me pretty well.”

JOEL BONNETT 2010

Joel started playing racquetball in 1977 at age 6 and played his first tournament at age 8.

He won Men’s Open singles and doubles titles in MI, OH, NC, SC, GA, TN, and Canada.

Some of Joel’s racquetball accomplishments include:

1987 Grand Rapids City Champion 1st Place Men’s Open
1988 Olympic Doubles 1st Place Junior’s 16
1990 National High School Singles 1st Place Junior’s 18
1990 Olympic Singles Championships 1st Place Junior’s 18
1990 Olympic Doubles Championships 1st Place Junior’s 18
1990 Junior Worlds Singles 2nd Place Junior’s 18
1991 National Doubles with Bill Sell 1st Place Men’s Open
1992 Tour. of Americas Doubles with Bill Sell 1st Place Men’s Open
1996 US Open Champion 1st Place Men’s Open
2002 RAM State Champion 1st Place Men’s Open
Awarded racquetball scholarship to Memphis State University in 1991
A United States Olympic Team Member in 1990 and 1992
Was a 3 time Olympic Festival Participant

Joel was born in October of 1971. He is now a regional sales director and works for American United Life Retirement Services. Joel is married to Shelly and has two boys, Joshua 9 and Jacob 6. Joel also lives in Kentwood, MI.

When asked what he hoped that people would remember about him his reply was:

“I hope people will remember me for my competitive spirit both on and off the court, my focus and determination to compete at the highest level, my 180 mph drive serves and power racquetball, and most importantly, my love for the game.”

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