There are a lot of club sports at the University of Wyoming with the obvious ones including volleyball and baseball, but there are also a lot of unusual ones like UW’s very own club racquetball team.
For those who don’t know, racquetball is a game played in a room where the players attempt to volley a ball off a front wall while only allowing the ball to bounce once. Only the person who served to start a rally can score a point if the other player fails to return the ball, however, if they fail to score a point the possession of the serve changes. A match consists of three games the first two to the score of 15 and the third to a score of 11.
“What I am trying to do is create an opportunity for more people to get involved, and create a good environment for people to do something healthy and socialize.” – RSO President Oakley Cathcart
Former president of the team Hunter James Rowe, who is currently studying overseas in Sweden, is very gracious he got the chance to participate in the growth of the University of Wyoming Club Racquetball Team.
“Racquetball at UW has really changed for the better, and I was fortunate enough to see it blossom into what it is today,” Rowe said through email correspondence.
Current President Oakley Cathcart is trying his best to create a welcoming environment for those looking to play racquetball and because of this, the team continues to grow from the six members it had in 2014.
“What I am trying to do is create an opportunity for more people to get involved, and create a good environment for people to do something healthy and socialize,” Cathcart said.
Cathcart started playing racquetball when he was in 7th grade, going to the YMCA with his father. He started to play at Half Acre when he got to the University of Wyoming. One day Cathcart played against a member of the racquetball club and the guy invited him to the club. At first, Cathcart was intimidated, but soon realized how much he enjoyed being a part of it.
“They were very inviting and said they’d show me tips and help me get better,” Cathcart said.
When Cathcart was asked what his favorite part of racquetball and being a member of the club was he was very decisive with his reply.
“It’s awesome to see the diversity, such a simple game can bring people together,” Cathcart said.
The club travels throughout Wyoming and plays in various tournaments across the state, and last November the club even hosted their own tournament called the ‘Cowboy Shootout’ that drew professional players from Colorado.
If you are interested in joining the club racquetball team here at the University of Wyoming there are practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 at Half Acre gym. The Racquetball courts are located on the second floor.
