(Photo Credit: Credit to the amazingly talented racquetball photographer, John Foust.)
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: Mary Jane Boese
Are you a pro player, coach, association board member, tournament organizer, or racquetball broadcaster AKA why do racquetball players know you?
Player, amateur photojournalist of tournaments, tournament director of outdoor racquetball & volunteer with Colorado Racquetball Association.
Where do you promote racquetball on social media and the web?
The Essential Mountain Athlete
Colorado Outdoor Racquetball Facebook Group
Country of Origin: USA
Place you consider home: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Did you play as a junior? When & how where you introduced to the competitive side of racquetball?
Yes, started playing at age 13 (after a tennis junior career from age 6-13). Taught by my brother, Marc Sanford who was a top level Open player in Colorado at the time.
Playing hand: Right
Year you started playing racquetball: 1977 at age 13, stopped in 1987, then restarted in 2016, at age 51.
First female mentor or idol in racquetball:
Sue Landry, my first female coach! Jennifer Harding (I loved playing with her racquet)
Favorite racquetball shot: Anything Backhand!
Love most about racquetball: The common bond of the love of the sport builds life-long friendships.
Motivation for the game (what keeps you playing): Fitness, comraderie of players and the joy of the sport!
Preferred equipment:
E-force graciously offered me a sponsorship with the 150g., BUT I recently won an E-force Dark Star 170g and love it too! All E-Force all the time!
Favorite event:
Rocky Mountain Nights under the Lights – Outdoor Tournament in Colorado Springs.
Best results at tournaments you’ve played in:
1981 Rocky Mountain Regional Champion, Girls 17 & under. 2016 Colorado Regional Ladies B Champion Singles. 2017 Colorado State Ladies B Doubles Champion. 2017 US National Singles Silver Medal in Women’s 50A/60E singles. 2018 World Doubles Bronze Medal in Mixed A’s.
Day job:
Registered Nurse (Neurosciences & Hospice), Wellness Advocate for doTERRA, Certified AromaTouch Technique provider & small business owner of The Essential Mountain Athlete!
Charity close to your heart: Healing Hands Foundation.
Family shoutout:
My husband, my daughter & son-in-law! Bill, my husband who gives me the freedom to go to any tournament I desire. Bill stays home and takes care of our four big dogs and cat for me while I travel to tournaments! Bill will routinely find sponsors for my tournament too! From Coca-Cola to Monster Energy to Powerade! My daughter, Carmella & her husband, Peter who allow me a comfy place to sleep when I play in the Denver Metro area.
Other sports played in addition to racquetball:
Started in Tennis at age 6, play infrequently now. Former equestrian in 4-H and local gymkhanas. Thinking about Pickleball….. 🙂
What can we do to activate more female players?
Have more female-featured events. Racquet for The Cure is a prime example.
What is your hope for the future of racquetball?
Growth of women racquetball players in Colorado. Growth in International Racquetball outside of the Americas. One of the keys to getting racquetball in the Olympics is global participation.
How do you feel is the best way to help grow the sport of racquetball?
Social Media and personal one-on-one invites for friends to come to the courts.
If you could bring one thing back from racquetball past – what would it be and why?
Marty Hogan’s knee-high socks! He rocked them! HaHa! The Saturday night social events at the tournaments! The tournament participation in the 80’s was phenomenal!
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Do you know someone else we should be celebrating with this interview and feature process? Drop us a line on Facebook!