by Brett Broxey, MSHA President

Happy New Year Handball Players! I hope you all got the USHA brand merchandise you requested from Santa. The handball season is in full swing and the MSHA board is busy making preparations for the 2002 State Tournaments.

It’s hard to believe the 2002 State Tournament Season is just around the corner. Please note the tournament dates have been modified slightly with the state singles being moved up to March instead of the traditional end of April. This change was in response to suggestions on improving participation. Yes, we do actually use your suggestions. In fact, we welcome them and look forward to your input. The problem of declining participation continues to plague most tournaments. As you make decisions on which events you will participate in this year, keep in mind we have adopted Friday and Saturday-only formats for the State Tournaments.

We had a great ’00 -’01 handball season and 2002 promises to be even better. I have listed my top 5 highlights from ’00 -’01 below:

1. Hall of Fame Banquet-Gasthoff:

I think it was the best MSHA banquet I have attended. The atmosphere, food, and hospitality were fantastic. But just as important, the Kleins and Ryans presentation and acceptance speeches were concise and entertaining. After chugging beer from a boot with a bachelor party and finishing up the night having a beer with Leif at the outside tent I realized this is what a banquet should be.

TIKI-TIKI-TIKI!...OY-OY-OY!

2. Twin City Handball League Finals- White Bear Lake Club:

Apologies to Gary Rohrer for having to mention the %&*%# Twin Cities Handball League. This party was a fun way to end the season. The league championship came down to the doubles match between the White Bear Boys’ - Steve Johnson and Tim Labey against the Carpet Baggers’ - Steve and Anna Christoff. The intensity on the court was in stark contrast to the party atmosphere of the full house crowd. The spectators enjoyed a fine spread provided by the White Bear Club in addition to the entertaining and intense handball. Both teams played great with the White Bear Boys finally prevailing in the tiebreaker.

3. Bremer vs. Ekstrom Match -MSHA State Singles Tournament Hwy 100 & France:

This was a "turn back the hands of time" match. It reminded me of the late night matches at our tournaments in the mid-’80s. Back then we had more people around to watch matches and the beer seemed to flow like the Mississippi in the spring. It was the last match played on Friday night. A full gallery became more and more rowdy as the match went on and perhaps as the beer flowed. Bremer and Ekstrom had incredibly long volleys and both guys played great. The spectators were hoping for a tiebreaker and they got their wish. The spectators coached, encouraged, ridiculed, and cheered. It was a match for the ages and I don’t even remember who won.

4. Ice Box- St. Anthony Athletic Club:

The Ice Box is well known for its wonderful hospitality. If you can get an invitation to this tournament, your best move would be to clear your schedule for the two days and get ready to party. Last year’s tournament was even more memorable because of the stunning Broxey/Weiler upset of the Christoffs in the first round. On paper we have no chance against their power. But on the court...anyway, we had plenty of highlights to discuss around the keg that night.

5. (Tie) Mankato Handball Experience-Mankato YMCA:

Yes, I know they have the dreaded paneled courts. (as does White Bear Lake) This tournament is a keeper! Those Mankato handball players know the recipe for tournament success. Start with long sleeve shirts for souvenirs, TGI Friday gift certificates and cans of handballs for prizes, mix in a hard fought win over Tim Pulis in the finals of the Masters and dinner at Culver’s with John Miller. You better believe I’ll be back in 2002.

5. (Tie) Broxey/Weiler vs. Haukedahl/Bennett Match MSHA State Doubles Tournament Hwy 100 & France Ave.:

This Sat. morning consolation match was the 60th meeting of these two teams. This long and storied rivalry can be traced back to 1981. The matches have been played at many different locations including Lillydale, Normandale, Decathlon, St. Paul AC, St. Anthony, Mpls AC, etc. No one knows which team leads the series and no one cares. This match was noteworthy by Emil Weiler serving Bloody Marys to the other players between games in honor of the 60th meeting. The Bloody Marys were a civilized touch to a hard fought, bitter match which ended with Haukedahl and Bennett vowing never to play us again. We’ll see.

Well that’s the highlights the way I saw them. There were a lot more but, I didn’t want to use up the whole newsletter. I can’t wait to see what 2002 has in store. I hope you can create some highlights of your own. See you on the courts!