DOUBLES 100 WINNERS

We were slightly down on entries this year in the Doubles 100 Tournament which is naturally a little disappointing. While the leagues have been running fairly well this half season and finding subs hasn’t been too difficult either, I would have thought players would have been motivated to give this event a crack – especially with an ‘A’ and ‘B’ draw. Alas, it wasn’t the case. The drop in registrations was only in the A category: from 8 teams last year to only 5 teams this year, which ended up being 4 teams when one team dropped out due to injury. The B draw stayed the same with 8 teams.

Looking at the B draw first, I was surprised the scores weren’t closer. On paper, I was expecting a few of the matches to go at least to 4 if not 5 games. However, all first rounds ended up 3-0 as did the second semi final. The first semi final did get stretched to 4 games where Joe Moran and Ken Katz (aged 121) defeated Bob Garvey (winner of the recent Doubles Select Tournament) and Shail Arora (aged 111). The Moran / Katz team were seeded one and they met the second seeded of John Chouinard and Mike Petix (aged 106) in the final. The closeness of this match made up for all the other results. Deep into the 5th game, the score reached 13-all. Set 5 was decided. Chouinard / Petix jumped ahead quickly in the tie-break to 4-1 earning themselves 4 match balls. But Moran / Katz fought back under the pressure tying it at 4-all and bringing the entire tournament down to one sudden-death rally. I’ll use the words straight from the horse’s mouth (Joe Moran’s mouth, that is) to describe the final shot of this monumental battle: “I tinned a poorly chosen backhand drop shot” which gave Chouinard / Petix a historic 18-17 in the 5th win.

The A draw was thin to say the least. With only 4 teams, everybody started off in the semi final meaning they only had to win 1 match to play for the title. It was made even thinner when the second semi final was decided by a forfeit which gave the Peter Logan and Patrick Petz (aged 104) team a free pass to the final where they met last year’s winners Bob Thibodeau and Bowden Brown (aged 118). History was on Bob and Bowden’s side, as they had eliminated the Petz / Logan team in the semi finals for the last two years. Now why this draw has taken over 4 months to complete is quite simple. The original date was set to play the final in March, but the dreaded 24-hour flu struck down one of the players. After that, Bob decided that he needed a couple of months down south so he could secretly train for this all important encounter. Did it pay off? Naturally Patrick and Peter were keen to defeat their nemesis, they did not want to be sent packing by this pair three years running. Both teams started off equally strong. Only a couple of points separated them through the first game and the justified tie-break was won 16-14 by Petz and Logan. However, back came the reigning champs. Bob and Bowden took the second 15-13 to even it up, but couldn’t keep that trend going as they then lost the third 15-12 and with it any momentum they may have had. Before they could blink, they were 11-2 down in the fourth. Still, they made Patrick and Peter a little nervous toward the end as they crept back into striking distance but it was too little too late and they went down 15-10. Congratulations to the Petz / Logan team! [Photo: Bowden Brown, Bob Thibodeau, Peter Logan, Patrick Petz]

THE STATE OF MICHIGAN SQUASH

Unbeknownst to probably most of you, the Michigan Squash Racquets Association (MSRA) has been a ‘rogue’ entity for the past 7 years at least. They have been unrecognized in the eyes of US Squash. Why this has been so hard to rectify is as inexplicable as it is illogical to me.

The reason behind the separation lies in the fact that the MSRA refused to abide by one of the US Squash rules of membership payment. Simply put, no state association is allowed to offer state only memberships. They must provide full membership to US Squash which in turn includes the state membership. For some reason, the MSRA decided 7 years ago to allow players to sign up as Michigan squash members only and if you wanted to join US Squash as well, you had to register separately with them. The dollar difference? $50. Per year. MSRA annual fee is $25, US Squash annual fee (which includes MSRA) is $75. Not exactly budget breaking.

One of the misgivings holding the unification back is that asking MSRA members to suddenly pay that $50 per year more, that most of them will bail which will in turn leave them with too few members to survive. Firstly, it shouldn’t even be an option, and secondly (at the time I am writing this) there are already 100 people who are MSRA and US Squash members. (22 of which are juniors.) And that’s currently with the option. I agree that some MSRA members will stop paying, but I doubt there will be the mass exodus that some naysayers are predicting. The number of members is already at a survivable level. Recent discussions have brought this issue to a head. While progress was being made within the MSRA board to re-align themselves with US Squash, it has now been thrust upon them with a do-or-die ultimatum.

I won’t go into the details of what that ultimatum was, but suffice to say that the MSRA was looking down the barrel at a very perilous situation. Cooler heads are prevailing and now the ball is rolling in the correct direction.

Soon, the MSRA once again will back into the ranks of the US Squash world. Exactly where it should be.

I am sure many of you are asking, “why is this necessary?” To what benefit is there for the MSRA to align themselves with US Squash? For an extra $50, not including the US Squash magazine every member receives monthly, who cares? All US Squash members receive access to their website and all its member features. They receive a national ranking and rating, can contact other US Squash members around the country, and enter US Squash sanctioned events. Unless you travel to play sanctioned events, on the surface it doesn’t sound like much, but you would be supporting the sport which is extremely important – and in turn that supports Michigan squash too.

US Squash in return already support squash in this state. They provide grants in excess of $20,000 to NUSEA – the national urban squash program who pass on some of that money to help support the Racquet Up Detroit program headed by our own member Derek Aguirre. They also donated $500 directly to the Racquet Up Detroit program through the recent Fundraiser that was held at the DAC on May 14. The pro event ‘Motor City Open’ run at the BAC every year will be part of the US Open Series and will receive national promotion and sponsorship dollars. This is nothing to be sneezed at. And we should be supporting them in return.

However, before we all bow to our knees, reach for the sky and pronounce that we are ‘saved’, much work needs to be done. It’s no secret that Michigan is not the squash Mecca of the US. We do not have hundreds of players playing countless tournaments, nor do we have hundreds of players participating in travel leagues. In fact, the participation level is rather abysmal. Travel league consisted of 2 levels this past season only and a total of 15 teams. Of those 15 teams, only 1 was from the DAC and 1 from the BAC – the two biggest squash clubs in the state. Convincing our members to play in the travel league has proven to be more difficult than convincing the MSRA board to abide by US Squash regulations.

Aligning the association is a big step forward. With all parties pushing down the same path, focus can now be turned to increasing participation. Many things need to be addressed and fixed. Travel League for one, which also now faces another major predicament with the new strict club rules imposed on all Life Time Fitness (LTF) facilities. Many of the teams in the current travel league stem from the LTF clubs around metro Detroit. Without these teams, the league would simply die. However, LTF management (US wide, I presume) have implemented a stringent guest policy (including guest fees), insurance policy, court scheduling policy with team rosters submitted in advance just to name a few hurdles the MSRA have to navigate over. They are basically giving the impression to the MSRA that the travel league is not welcome in their clubs. Suggestions to move the travel league format from the once a week (during the week) schedule to a weekend and then only using the major clubs (DAC, BAC, Windsor and Franklin) have been made and will be discussed over the next few months.

Other topics for improvement include the website; how to increase participation in MSRA run events such as the skill and aged level singles and doubles tournaments; better and more efficient communication amongst all squash players in Detroit and Michigan; how to utilize the tools US Squash offers for all associations with their on-line ladders, leagues, rankings and ratings; increase membership; better scheduling.

I encourage each and every one of you to join US Squash which includes your MSRA membership too. Go to their website listed below. If any of you are in our box ladders which we run through the US Squash website then you are already in their system. Supporting the national body also supports our local one. If you are a squash player, then this is one of the best ways to ensure this sport will thrive in this state. At that only means better competition for you. In the end, everybody wins.

US Squash: https://www.ussquash.com/
MSRA: http://www.michigansquash.org/
Racquet Up Detroit: http://www.racquetup.org/

THE START OF THE SUMMER

I have to admit, I was a startled to see only 56 registrations in the Summer League this season. That’s down from the 64 in 2010, and well off the record of 72 back in 2007. Since court usage has been very good this year, I thought 64 players would have been a cinch. On the positive side, I am happy to see the handful of new faces entering into the arena. Nine members are rookies to the summer league and two are back from a long hiatus.

When the teams were released a week ago, I received a couple of questioning remarks regarding placing Robin Basil in the number 1 position. Robin, as you know, just won the 3.0 club championships division and looked pretty dominating throughout the whole draw. However, it was a little risky since I had very few results to back my decision up and I know it is still only one match, but so far Robin has proved me right. He beat Paul Huth 3-0 last night and continues to impress.

Someone else off to a good start (and newbie) was Jeff Jardine. Even though he joined the club in late March this year, he is already a self confessed squash addict. He took the more experienced Tom Bergh 3-0 and could be one to watch out for amongst the number 6’s. Manny Tancer is definitely not new to the game, but it has been at least a couple of years since he has played in the leagues. He was still active on the squash court during that time, so no rust had developed as Sean Fossee found out after losing all 3 games. Manny will be tough to beat at number 2.

It is too early in the season to predict which 4 teams will be making the finals and which 4 teams won’t. One thing for sure though is that playing your matches – especially in the Summer League – is an absolute must to give your team even the slightest hint of a chance. Playing catch-up in a 7-week season can be virtually impossible so you do not under any circumstances want to fall too far behind.

MEET A MEMBER - 6

Not that this man is even nearly as old, but when I first met this member, he instantly reminded me of my father. A jolly Englishman with that dry British wit and wasn’t shy of downing a pint or two. (My father was actually Welsh, but who can tell the difference?) Almost impossible not to like, he has immersed himself into all the squash activities, has even played a tournament in Windsor, and can crack the ball pretty darn hard.

MEET… ALAN HOWARD

The Squash Joint (TSJ): “Tell us how you came about joining the DAC.”

I’m a member of Birmingham Athletic Club and had an invitation to dine just before Christmas. That’s really all it took, the gym, pool and location were all bonuses. Oh! I forgot to mention the squash – A classy joint! - The courts I mean not Mick.

TSJ: “What types of sports did you play at school in England and is that where you learnt to play squash?”

At school it was track, gymnastics and of course rugby. Squash was a sport I started on leaving school at 18. Track – I was not fast enough, Gymnastics I hated wearing tights, and rugby although I carried on for a few years started to hurt. I started playing squash at a club in Richmond where my rugby club was. By strange coincidence Richmond was a great town for pubs (bars in American) and that’s where I meet Sue my wife now for 37 years – she to this day hates squash and believes it’ll give me a heart attack!

TSJ: “Your business has you travelling and moving around a lot. Where have you lived and which place was your favorite?”

Heavens, that’s a long list. Outside of the UK (Where I was born) – France, Spain, Singapore, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and here in Detroit. My favorite place is none of these. Mick’s home country Australia, just perfect. I just went there too late in life! [Photo left: Alan playing a drum on the streets in India]

TSJ: “What was the last book you read?”

I do not read books, they take too long.

TSJ: “My father loved to watch British comedy series. “Yes Minister”, “Fawlty Towers”, Black Adder” just to name a few. Which was your favorite and are the any American comedy series you consider to be just as good?”

John Cleese and Fawlty Towers are classics and in that theme Monty Python. In that same time period but different I used to love the Rowland Martin’s Laugh In but I’m going back in years and showing my age.

TSJ: “What is the one part of your squash game you would desperately like to change and what is the one part of your game you see as your best weapon?”

As Mick will know my game is unsophisticated. When I was young it was that after a few rallies and I’ll start sweating badly and go extremely red. My opponents used to think I was unfit and dead. How wrong they were, I could run any ball down for more than an hour, the original Energizer Bunny. Now if I sweat and go red, I’m bushed and in need of oxygen!

TSJ: “You are at a karaoke bar and have had a couple pints too many. You insist on singing the next song and you choose one that you already know all the words to. What song is it?”
That’s easy. Having lived in Asia you need a set piece and I used to specialize in “House of the Rising Sun” by the Animals – slow, no high notes and you can slaughter it without anyone noticing.

TSJ: “How have you so far enjoyed living in Detroit? Does your wife feel the same way?”

Just great and I really believe Detroit on the world stage gets a bad rap. The weather is fantastic and the blue skies are just special. Couple that with the people - friendly, down to earth and willing to accept a Brit with some very weird points of view, I am truly enjoying my time here. I have leant over the years not to answer for my nearest and dearest!

TSJ: “The DAC is inarguably one of the nicest clubs in the United States, if not the world. Is there anything aspect of the club that you would change?”

Fix the gas leak on the 3rd floor! But seriously no, I have only been a member since February this year and the customs and rules make the club. The staff in all departments – restaurant, sports, and the folks that handle cars are just special. Link that with the members, who have in my short time have made me feel so welcome. As an outsider I have never felt a stranger and have steadily built up a great set of friends.

TSJ: “If you didn’t have to work for the rest of your life, where would you go and what would you do?”

First, and as strange as it might seem I just love to work and I have a huge fear of that ending. I now have homes here in Detroit, London in the UK and Marbella in Spain, so have no problem living where I choose. I just love travel, in a few days I go to Jordan – Petra and the Dead Sea. So staying fit and healthy to carry on doing that is important. But I do have a dream. I’d like to drive from London to Singapore, which with the completion on the tunnel between UK and France is possible without ever getting on a boat or plane. So that’s on the bucket list along with walking Kilimanjaro, going to Tibet and going back to Melbourne, Australia to see just one more Aussie rules rugby game.

TSJ: “You have been given the ability to bring one famous person back to life. Who do you resurrect and why?”

Winston Churchill, he was inspirational as a leader in a time just before I was born and the UK with a different leader and outcome in WW II would have made my life so different. The movie the “Kings Speech” has awakened the thought believe it or not to read a book!

TSJ: “The last question is usually the most important and thought provoking one. Please take your time before answering… What is the one chore is the house you absolutely hate doing, but do it anyway?”

Being subservient to the boss!


Thank you very much to Alan for opening up to us. Make sure you say ‘Hi!” to him when you see him around the courts. He will surely be more than happy to share a cold beverage with you after a tough squash game or two! I would like to thank him for his candor in answering all of these ingenious questions and letting us in on a few personal topics. Maybe one day we could all be so lucky (or unlucky) to hear his rendition of “House of the Rising Sun” ! [Pictured above - Alan (back row on the left) and his lovely family]

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

2011 Club Championships~~

Here we are once again. The Wimbledon of the DAC Squash Calendar, the Daytona 500, the Oscars, the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and, in some cases, the Darwin Awards, but whatever you want to call it, the Club Championships is that one tournament a year where members can insert themselves into history, put their hands on their hips, dance a little jig, blow a raspberry and pronounce, “Na na ni-na na!” to all of their fallen comrades!

2.5 – Don’t underestimate the Handballer…
Just because Tom Fabbri is used to patting around a larger, bouncier blue ball with his hands, doesn’t mean he can’t wield a squash racquet with some level of skill. This isn’t the first time we have had someone from the glove department try their hand (pardon the pun) at squash. Alex Bieri did it successfully in 2005 when he won the 2.5 category. Tom’s experience also helps him to understand that you need to play smarter, not harder, which is a big reason for his rapid improvement over the past 12 months. On his way to the final, Tom dropped only one game which was in the semi to Chuck Doyle. I wasn’t exactly stunned to see him in the final (I predicted he would be), but I was surprised at his opponent when he got there. Dark horse Sante Fratarcangeli did it the hard way. He beat last year’s 2.5 finalist Andrew Spohn in the first round 3-2, then he beat Ted Mabley 3-1 in the quarters, before knocking off my other finalist prediction Brandon Dobbins in the semi in a tough 3-1 contest. Could Sante’s good form get him over the wily Tom? Well, for a while it appeared as if it could. Sante started strongly taking the first game 9-4 but he seemed to lose the momentum early in the second as Tom quickly evened it up with a 9-1 win. The next two games were close. Tom moved the ball around very well making his opponent cover a lot of court. Sante kept up nicely but fell a couple of points short on both occasions losing them 9-6 and 9-7. A very pleased Mr. Fabbri now has his sights on the 3.0 next year and has already started his training!

3.0 – Don’t underestimate the Racquetballer…
When Robin Basil asked to be thrown into the squash Club Championships, I initially thought he was joking. Robin is the DAC’s best racquetball player – and racquetball chairman – so I wondered why he would want to try squash. He mentioned he had hit the squash ball a couple of times – never seriously - and we had no idea which category to put him in. I contemplated the 2.5 draw, but in the end decided the 3.0 seemed a good guess. Back then. How wrong we were. He systematically destroyed everyone that came his way. After racquetball, the squash racquet must feel like he is swinging with a tea-spoon but that didn’t stop him from generating plenty of power. He is also very quick, and is used to hitting unusual angles at unusual moments which of course throws the ‘normal’ squash player off. With a little improved technique, Robin could easily be competitive a couple levels up. His finals opponent (or unfortunate victim in this case) was James Van Dyke. James is another player that has improved considerably this season. He won the 2.5 category last year, and if Robin wasn’t in the draw, could have won the 3.0 this year. He may be disappointed with his 3-1 loss, but he was the only player in the draw take a game off Robin and make him work for the win. It is fantastic for the squash crowd to have Robin getting involved. We hope he sticks with it. For the record, he also won the open Racquetball division. [Pictured - Robin Basil and James Van Dyke]

3.5 – Can this Fracchia fellow stop winning...?
The 3.5 draw has always been the most populated one so you can make the argument that it is the hardest to win. The most unexpected detail I found over the course of this event was how few 3-2 results came in. Last year, this category yielded 6 five-set results, there were 7 in 2009 and 5 in 2008. This year: 3. One of those belongs to Chris Van Tol, who has made everyone look twice at the draw to make sure they weren’t seeing things. Firstly, he beat one of the category favorites Rich Stimson 3-0, then Al Iafrate 3-1, and to back that up, in the comeback of the tournament, after being 2 games to 1 down and 7-2 down in the 4th, he beats Ken MacDonald in five to reach the final. Standing in Chris’s way to victory was Anthony Fracchia. Including the 3 matches leading up to this final (that he won 3-0), Anthony has won 16 of his past 17 recorded matches. He is another member that has shown swift progress over recent months. Watching the match, many of the rallies went back and forth with both players having to explore all four corners numerous times. It is one thing to hang tough during the point, but another thing to end them. Chris unfortunately kept on finding the tin before Anthony did and that of course hurt him. Even though he had to work hard, Anthony took all three games proving without a doubt he deserved the title.

4.0 – Baker’s sweet revenge…
Twelve months ago, Brien Baker and Matt Jarboe played off in the 3.5 final in one of the most entertaining matches you could witness. Kind of like the Rocky Balboa versus Apollo Creed fight in the second Rocky movie where in round 15 they are both lying on the canvass and the first one able to stand up would be declared the winner. Matt won that match 10-9 in the 5th, and since then these two have been battling each other in what has turned out to be an extremely challenging and engaging rivalry. Since that match, in recorded results (box ladder and boasters) they have played 5 times. Brien has won three times (twice 3-2 and once 2-1) and Matt twice (once 3-2, once 3-1). That’s not counting practice matches, where I am sure they have had many down-to-the wire scores too. And here they were again playing off in the 4.0 final. This time however, it went against the trend. It was a 3-0 result. Both players still came off the court sucking wind, but it was Brien who managed to win the games. It was a satisfying win for Brien, but he didn’t have long to savor it. Both of them were also to face off in the 4.5 final.

4.5 – Jarboe’s sweet revenge…
I could simply re-write the above paragraph for this category. While it doesn’t occur all that often, it does happen often enough that we get one player in the final of two categories. In this case, we have the same two players in the final as the 4.0 category. That’s just silly. So, for next year, we will only allow members to play one level only. It may also help with having matches completed before the set deadlines if everybody only has one opponent at time to worry about. Both Matt and Brien had tougher roads to the final here than in the 4.0 category (as they should have had). Brien overcame last year’s 4.5 winner Scott Adlhoch in 5 in the semi, and Matt dropped his game against Paul Ward in round 1. Two days after the 4.0 final, it would be interesting to see how both players would react from that result. Could Brien keep the mental edge he had created, or could Matt step up and make a mends? Once again, it was a 3-0 result. It’s strange how things turn out. Maybe the loss from 2 days ago motivated Matt to run even more, and maybe that win gave Brien an overconfidence to make him relax too much. Either way, it was Brien’s turn to give up the goods. It was along 3-setter, and if Brien managed to snag the third game I think we would have been in for another marathon encounter. He didn’t, and the Jarboe-Baker series for 2011 ends at one title apiece. [Pictured: Matt Jarboe and Brien Baker]

5.0 – George keeps rising through the ranks…
At this pace, George Kordas should be winning the open category in about 2 years… no pressure, my friend! Just to give you an idea of how quickly George has ascended, he won the 3.0 level in 2008, the 3.5 in 2009, and now he is competing for the 5.0 title in 2011! This was actually the one category that I could have had a long list of potential winners. One any given day, these results could have been reversed, so no result was really too shocking. I suppose the two scores that did get me to raise my eye-brows just a little was Andrew Pitters’ 3-0 win over Derek Aguirre in round 1 and Chuck Hamill’s 3-2 victory over Eric Green in the semi after being 2-0 down. But maybe I shouldn’t have been so shocked at Chuck’s win. He showed that his success over Eric wasn’t a fluke as his awkward – but clever – style raced him to a 2-0 game lead in the final. George is not a stranger to having to dig in and guts out a match and he needed every ounce of effort in this case if he were to do so. Taking it one point at a time, he slowly reeled Chuck in and eventually completed the comeback to win the match 3-2. Afterwards, a very satisfied George praised Chuck at just how tough an opponent he is.

Open – Old rivals back at it…
Ever since 1992 – with the exception of 2 years – the winner of the Open category has been split between Peter Logan and Kirk Haggarty. Peter has won it 8 times, and Kirk 9. However, this is the first time these two have actually played each other in the final since 2008. Both of them got there without dropping a game, which was to be expected. But naturally they both couldn’t continue to win, so somebody had to give. Sadly, what gave was Kirk’s leg. At 4-7 in the first game Kirk had to concede the match due to an injury which he had sustained a few days earlier. It was an unhappy ending to this much anticipated match. Believe me, there is nothing more frustrating as a player to have to withdraw in the middle of a match, and there is no more unsatisfying way to win either when you are on the other side. That’s not to take anything away from Peter. He works hard to maintain his standard and level of fitness and – I hope he doesn’t mind me saying – at the ripe ol’ age of 53, we could all learn a thing or two from him of how to look after our bodies. We all hope Kirk can recover quickly from this and get back on court regularly and once again pick up this rivalry to the stage of where it should be. [Picture: Kirk Haggarty and Peter Logan]

So is the Logan / Haggarty domination nearing its end? Even though these two continue to win the Club Championship titles, the rest of the crowd is getting closer. The good news is that the Open draw is becoming more competitive. With 12 registrations, it is the most players we have had since at least 2005. The emergence of the younger crew – for example Rakolta, Kordas and Jarboe amongst others – is placing more pressure on the top pair and they will continue to improve. The next couple of years might be very interesting. To see all the DAC Club Championship results since 2005, you can go to: http://thesquashjoint.blogspot.com/p/dac-club-championships-results.html

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists for 2011! Don’t forget you have all qualified for selection for the 2012 Farris Cup versus the BAC which will be scheduled for January 7 in Birmingham. We need to get that Cup back now that we let them have it for a year!

PUT YOUR GENEROSITY BOOTS ON

By now, most (if not all) of you have heard about the ‘Racquet Up Detroit’ program run by our very own DAC member Derek Aguirre. If you haven’t, then I suggest you click into his website: http://www.racquetup.org/ and read an interview I did with him on this blog: http://thesquashjoint.blogspot.com/2010/11/meet-member-2.html .

It is truly inspirational what Derek is doing and achieving with this program. Many of our DAC members donate their time and help out on a regular basis with either the on-court squash instruction, or in the classroom teaching these underprivileged children from the poorest areas of our city. It is giving all of these kids a chance to succeed in life. A chance they would surely never have a hope of receiving otherwise. But running such a program costs money, and that money must come from somewhere. To run Racquet Up Detroit successfully, Derek relies on the kindness and generosity from companies and individuals that are willing to donate dollars, services, products and time. For example, I know that DAC member Ken Stann, who represents the SVS Vision Company, donated his time and services and gave all the kids in the program eye-exams and then provided glasses to the many that needed them. It is just one of the many ways you could help out too.

On Saturday, May 14 at the DAC, headed by the MSRA, we are hosting the third annual Junior Fundraising Benefit. Starting at 12pm, the schedule is as follows:

• 12pm – Junior exhibition games. These games will include juniors from the Racquet Up Detroit program as well as top juniors from the Detroit area.
• 1:15pm – Derek will speak about his program and how you can help out.
• 1.30pm – Pro Exhibition. I will be attempting to relive the good ‘ol days and pretend to practice what I preach. Who I will be playing is unclear right now. It may be BAC pro Julian Wellings, however I hear the poor lad is having his wisdom teeth removed 2 days prior to the event, which I think would rule him out. It may be Mark Porter from Windsor otherwise.
• 2.30pm – MSRA awards.

So come to the DAC and support these kids, help shape their future. Every single type of donation will be greatly appreciated and needed. The fee to attend is $25 if you register early or $30 the day of. Net proceeds go towards Racquet Up Detroit. Pop and a keg will be provided along with snacks. Your account can be charged for the fee and I will then pass along a check to the MSRA. Or you can pay MSRA directly on the day.

Make a difference in these kids’ lives.