Lewis Drugs Pro Am
The 29th Annual Lewis Racquetball Classic- IRT Tier Two Event
The Lewis Racquetball Classic is right around the corner and looks to be a very exciting event this year. Many of the top IRT professionals will commit to attend this tier two IRT event February 9-11 2007. Over $8000.00 in prize money will be awarded in the IRT professional portion of the event. The event is also offering cash awards for pro doubles. Amateur divisions are also being offered.
The event is in it’s twenty ninth year and has attracted many superstars of the IRT in years past. Hosted by the Sioux Falls YMCA, the premier racquetball facility in Sioux Falls, the YMCA will open its doors to the racquetball community for this prestigious event. Tournament directors Troy Stallings and Del Javers are expecting a large turnout for this event and appreciate the support of the YMCA and the local community.
The title sponsor, Lewis Drugs Inc .and it’s CEO Mark Griffin, are regional leaders in working with families and hospitals to provide pharmaceuticals with caring and attentive service. They have been locally owned for over 60 years. For more information about Lewis Drug Inc. log on to www.lewisdrug.com
Entry blank and event information is located at www.siouxfallsymca.org or www.lewisdrugs.com or the tournament section of the IRT website.
Committed players
Jack Huczek
Rocky Carson
Alvaro Beltran
Shane Vanderson
Mitch Williams
Jason Thoerner
Andy Hawthorne
Alejandro Herrera
Ruben Gonzalez
Jeff Stark
John Goth
Doubles Teams
Rocky Carson - Alvaro Beltran
Shane Vanderson - Ruben Gonzalez
Mitch Williams - Jason Thoerner
Troy Stallings - John Goth
Andy Hawthorne - Jeff Stark
Mark Griffin -Lewis Drugs
Racquetball Magazine recently had the chance to talk to Mark Griffin the driving force behind the scenes in the great plain city of Sioux Falls South Dakota.
Mark, tell us a little about how you got involved in the sport?
– Well I began in college at ASU playing outdoors. Due to the heat there we played from 10pm to midnight when it was cooler. The university did not have the great complex that they do now. A few of my friends and myself would get together and played three or four times a week for the workout and fun.
After returning to from college did you keep playing?
– Yes I did. I came home from college and began playing at the Sioux Falls YMCA. I also began working in the family business for Lewis Drugs, which my father started in 1942. I would go to the club and play for the stress release. Racquetball is very popular in Sioux Falls and I got behind the Lewis Drug Pro-Am the year I came home from school 28 years ago. I felt it would be a great way to help the promote racquetball in the area.
Tell us a little more about the event
- Well like I mentioned, this is the twenty eighth year we will be hosting the event at the Sioux Falls YMCA and with some great support from the community it has been a great success. Local racquetball enthusiast Troy Stallings has helped tremendously in running, organizing and getting some of the IRT pro’s to come in every year. In the past we have a had Hall of Fame players Ruben Gonzalez and Andy Roberts play and now of course the new generation of stars like Jack Huczek, Mike Guidry and Rocky Carson. We do our best to make sure the players are taken care of at the event not only helping out the professionals with a large prize money purse and other perks but the amateur players are treated to full meals throughout the weekend, great raffle prizes such as DVD players, televisions and other great prizes. The event is one that everyone not only gets to witness some great racquetball but leave knowing they had a great time at a great event and look forward to coming back again the next year. Mike Guidry mentioned to me that the best time to come to Sioux Falls is in February for this event. I really enjoy being involved in the event and will do so for many years to come.
What is your impression of the newer IRT players that have come to the event in recent years compared to those of the past?
- Ruben Andy and Guidry stand out the most as I still receive phone calls from them. They played some great ball for the fans here. The new players such as Rocky and Jack are great. They have spent time with the juniors doing clinics and just hanging out talking with the players. I am very impressed with them obviously with the level of play but they are good people. It is great for the local players here to get a chance to see the best play. It has also helped cultivate a few good players from here like Troy and John Goth. We hope to get Kane to come here this year. His wife has played here in the past.
What level player would you describe yourself as?
– I am a solid "A" player. I play a lot of doubles now. I am in the 50-age bracket and I am happy to say I have been fairly injury free. I still play three times a week at the YMCA.
How would you describe the state of the game now?
– Well I know what I read and get from the Internet. It seems very stable. Here in Sioux Falls I know we are making an effort to bring the younger generation into the game. Troy is working hard at the YMCA to make it happen here and do our part.
How do you envision the sport in the future? –
I would hope for faster growth of the sport and from all indications it seems to be on track. I believe developing a star or face to put in the spotlight and getting behind him or her would be a way to generate more interest for the sport. All other major sports have a face or superstar that has moved the sport to the next level. I think of what Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan did for basketball. Also getting the younger generation involved and giving the sport a try.
Mark E. Griffin, President & CEO
Lewis Drugs, Inc.
Mark E. Griffin is the Owner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lewis Drug, Inc. since 1986. He attended both the University of South Dakota and Arizona State University Business School. He is currently active in many service, social and political clubs. Lewis Drugs has been the title sponsor for the Lewis Drug Pro –Am for twenty-eight years and continues to support the local racquetball community in the Sioux Falls area.