Daily Racquetball’s Women Crush Wednesday Racquetball Influencers!
AKA Women Making Racquetball History Now!
We will feature another woman making racquetball history every Wednesday. Do you know someone else we should be celebrating with this interview and feature process? Drop us a line on Facebook!
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Name: Page Kern
Are you a pro player, coach, association board member, tournament organizer, or racquetball broadcaster AKA why do racquetball players know you?
I’m an amateur player and local “organizer”, plus am “mature” enough to have been around the MN racquetball scene for 40+ years. Locally, I started the junior program. When it began there were 8 youth participating. Since then there have been up to 55 youth participants in the lessons and league.
Where do you promote racquetball on social media and the web?
We have a Facebook page entitled Windom Junior Racquetball where we place information and pictures. We use the local paper and Community Education for sharing classes, information, etc.
Country of Origin: USA
Place you consider home: Home is Windom, MN; located in SW MN…on the prairie with the pheasants running through the fields ;o)
Did you play as a junior? When & how where you introduced to the competitive side of racquetball?
No, did not have that opportunity. I was introduced to the sport as a college freshman, at Augustana University, in Sioux Falls, SD, through friends and classes, and after graduation began learning about competitive opportunities like state and local events…gotta love the Lewis Drug Pro-Am!
Playing hand: I’m a “leftie”.
Year you started playing racquetball: 1974
First female mentor or idol in racquetball:
Starting out I knew no one, so while playing one of my first national doubles events my partner and I had to ask people looking at the brackets who Fran Davis and Chris Evon were…once they schooled us on the court I began to follow Fran Davis ;o)
Favorite racquetball shot: Ceiling Ball or High Z
Preferred equipment: HEAD equipment
Favorite events:
I very much enjoy the Master’s and the Senior Games events; the round robin is fantastic. Living in the midwest, the Lewis Drug Pro-Am is always a treat. The Minnesota Racquetball Association puts on nice state events along with the Hall of Fame tournament. The US Open is a bonus, especially being here in MN.
Best results at tournaments you’ve played in:
I have two Women’s Senior/Masters doubles titles, two International Masters doubles titles, 4 US Open divisional doubles titles, and some state of MN titles.
Day job: Retired.
Charity close to your heart: my church and groups that support children
Family shoutout: Gotta love being a grandparent!
Other sports played in addition to racquetball:
I was fortunate to compete in early Division 2 women’s athletics for Augustana University, in volleyball, basketball and softball. Having “matured” I now enjoy kayaking, pickleball and some snow shoeing on nice MN winter days.
What can we do to activate more female players?
Invite them to play with you! The last week of our junior’s programming we invite parents, grandparents, etc., to come play with the kids. Once they are on the court, we hear a lot of “Hey! This is fun!” People need to be exposed to the sport.
What is your hope for the future of racquetball?
To see racquetball in the Olympics and the participating numbers to grow.
How do you feel is the best way to help grow the sport of racquetball?
Grassroots…current players inviting others to play with them and encourage them to continue to play.
If you could bring one thing back from racquetball past – what would it be and why?
In the 80’s rural MN had RB courts in numerous communities. It would be nice to see those returning.
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