New Mexico Squash Racquets Association 
New Mexico Squash Racquets Association Hello New Mexico Squashers!
I know that you've been wondering what has become of the NMSRA newsletter, the "Tell Tale," and I'm here to let you know that its just been busy for me in the last year. I opened one restaurant and closed another and have been dealing with various injuries. But, do not despair, there is news to tell!
First I would like to get everyone's opinion on developing a league of some sort. Perhaps "inter-club" play is more like it. Can we get together teams from one club to travel to another club? Two teams from ABQ, two from SF, one from LA to play each other through out the early winter months? What about each club hosting an open invitation round robin night? We also have players in Las Vegas that everyone should meet. A couple of years ago Randy Kahn organized a successful one day team round robin. Something, anything to get players together! Let's try to start in October. Contact me with ideas.
Mark your calendars for these New Mexico USSRA sanctioned tournaments:
The Kiva Classic is December 4-7. This invitational age group tournament is for players over 40 highlighted by strong hard ball doubles teams and soft ball singles players from all over the country. Entries are limited.
The 7th Not the Vegetable, is January 23-25 2004. This soft ball singles tournament at El Gancho is for all skill levels. Last year we had players from Seattle, Nashville, and Denver come to town for the fabulous Margarita and Squash Hors D'oeuvres reception on Saturday night and right to claim the Big Squash! I would love to duplicate the women's draw we had last year and the Men's 50+. Amit Sethia, the National 5.5 Champ won the top division. Fierce competition marked the other divisions. Once again Sean Gallagher from Salomon Smith Barney, Head Racquets and NTV Squash and Racquets will sponsor this lively tournament. As many of you know you'll get a chance to play a lot and meet players from all over.
You can Walter Burke for any information about these two events and with any ideas for inter-club play. hrssqsh@aol.com and 505-920-0645.
NMSRA News / Squash Night at El Gancho from Walter
This Tuesday November 4th is "La Noche de Calabaza" at El Gancho in Santa Fe. The courts will be open from 5pm till 9pm for handicapped games, free lessons / drills and a quick referee clinic. There will be pizza and beer or soft drinks. I know that several players are coming from Las Vegas, Los Alamos and Albuquerque. This is a good opportunity to meet players from around the area and help build the Squash Community.
Does everyone know that Forbes Magazine has rated Squash as the "Healthiest Sport" .read on .
Squash makes news at Forbes Magazine!
[Taken from the World Squash Organization web site: http://www.worldsquash.org/article.xml?oid=28868 .]
Squash has been rated as the top sport in a survey of the 'Ten Healthiest Sports' published by respected US magazine Forbes. Writer Neal Santelmann explains that "each of these sporting activities is a great way to get you fit--and keep you there." He also points out to those who plan to try these sports that the list is "best pursued with calculated abandon to reduce their risk of injury, as well as in cross-training combinations to cover all of the basic physiological components."
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The citation for squash - which scored an overall score of 22.5, ahead of Rowing with 22.0 - reads: "The preferred game of Wall Street has convenience on its side, as 30 minutes on the squash court provides an impressive cardio respiratory workout. Extended rallies and almost constant running builds muscular strength and endurance in the lower body, while lunges, twists and turns increase flexibility in the back and abdomen. "For people just getting into the game, it's almost too much to sustain, but once you get there, squash is tremendous," says Paul Assaiante, head coach of the five-time defending national intercollegiate champion men's squash team at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn. Assaiante recommends a regimen of yoga, sprinting and distance running for preparation. Be wary of groin pulls, torn Achilles tendons and your opponent's racquet." The ten sports highlighted in the Forbes survey (in final rating order) were: Squash, Rowing, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Cross-Country Skiing, Basketball, Cycling, Running, Modern Pentathlon and Boxing.
NMSRA CONTACTS
Walter Burke, 505-450-5675, hrssqsh@aol.com.
Sean Gallagher, 505-466-3743.
Rick Rennie 505-344-2605,
Doug Campbell 505-878-9456.
NMSRA, PO Box 914 Santa Fe, NM 87504.