Racquetball games help students, faculty stay fit

Two to three times a week, Ottawa University chemistry professor Doug Holub takes to the courts of the Mabee Center to get in some exercise.

He isn't playing basketball though.

"My older brother introduced me to racquetball when I was about 15 or 16 years old,"

Holub said. "I liked it, so I kept playing."

According to the USA Racquetball web site, racquetball is a sport that can be played by two people, which is called singles, or four people, called doubles. A game is played inside a four-walled court, where, using a strung racquet, opponents try to serve and return a ball so the others cannot return the ball.


At OU, Holub has found a few other competitors to play with.

"I play with Nino Straub, Brad Snow, Fred Snow and (physical education professor) Corkie Hedlund."

Brad Snow is an Ottawa University graduate, and his father Fred is a former OU president.

Straub, a sophomore, began playing when he was about six years old. He said his dad and grandfather were pretty good, so he wanted to start playing.

"It's real fast-paced and quick-moving," he said. "You don't need a lot of skill to play, but it takes work to be pretty good."

Eric Duderstadt, another OU grad, finds time to play with his father as well as others.

He said racquetball in a way helps him spend more time with his dad.

"We spend a lot of time playing," Duderstadt said. "We're both pretty competitive, so it's fun."

Holub said it takes commitment to get better, and the game serves as a means of good exercise, competition and camaraderie.

"It's takes a skill and can be frustrating," he said. "I think people should try it, and if they like it, keep playing."