From the President

From the President
by Barry Becklin
MSHA Board President

Greetings handballers! I hope you had a splendid holiday season this year and are now set to begin preparation for the 1996 tournaments. The excellent food and festivities of the past month donšt do much to improve onešs game. At least in my case it takes a toll and needs immediate attention, especially the weight.

Enclosed with this newsletter are entry forms for all four MSHA State Championship tournaments this year. The format is back to our traditional arrangement with the Golden Masteršs brackets held at the same time as the Open brackets. Please take time to look them over and enter as many as possible. Most of our MSHA members should be eligible to enter all four. Why donšt you see if you can be an MSHA Iron-Man/Woman and participate in all four.

You will be receiving a phone call if you are eligible for a certain tournament but have not entered. A call committee is being established for each tournament. If we have not heard from you, they will call one week in advance of the entry deadline to make sure you are aware of the upcoming and remind you to enter if you are available and able to play. We are hoping to increase tournament participation ten percent over last year through use of the phones. If you would be interested in helping as a volunteer on this project, please call me at (612) 929-9133, as we can use your help!

Also, please mark the date Friday, May 17, 1996 on your calendar. This is the date of the annual MSHA Banquet and Hall of Fame Awards. This year, the banquet will be held at the Wabasha Street Caves, which are owned and operated by MSHA Board member Steve Bremer. We are planning a great meal, an interesting (and brief) program, and hopefully a dance band for your listening and dancing pleasure following the Hall of Fame presentations. We feel this is an ideal location to host the banquet, as we will have ample space, a full service bar (just for our group), and a stage area with a sound system. As always, the cost of this event is subsidized by your organization ($5.00 per person and Juniors are free), so please plan now to attend this event with your spouse or significant other. Letšs see if we canšt set a new MSHA record in banquet attendance this year.

Finally, if you have comments, concerns, or suggestions regarding YOUR association, the MSHA, please contact me or another Board member and we will make certain your voice is heard.

On behalf of the MSHA Board of Directors, we wish you a healthy and prosperous year in handball in 1996. May it be your best ever!