Northbrook, IL A recent Gold Medalist in international racquetball competition is making a remarkable offer to other players in the community: a series of free workshops at the North Suburban YMCA for beginners and advanced players.
Alok Mehta, a Winnetka racquetball player who trains at the North Suburban YMCA in Northbrook, rose to the top of his sport this month at the International Racquetball Federation’s world championships in Albuquerque. Mehta, along with his partner Tina Hagen of Colorado, won a gold medal in mixed doubles for ages 35 and over.
Now Mehta is giving back to the sport he loves and to the community by offering free workshops on his home court at the NSYMCA. Mehta will teach monthly beginning and advanced racquetball, starting October 8. It is the continuation of a strong bond between Mehta and the Y, which sponsored him through the International Championships. “The Y offers the best racquetball courts to practice on, and also has the best personal training available. I couldn’t have done it without the Y.”
“This is a very exciting opportunity for racquetball players at the Y,” said Howard Schultz, the NSYMCA’s executive director. “We’ve recently completed renovations to improve our courts, and now our members will have the chance to learn the game from one of the premier amateur players in the world.”
Mehta’s gold medal is just the latest in a series of accomplishments. He won a men’s singles national gold medal in 2003 and was named the Illinois Racquetball Association’s Player of the Year in 2009. Mehta credits the Y community and the level of competition on the North Shore with his own success in tournaments. “You have to give your personal best, and play with passion,” he said. “You also need support from your community, like at the YMCA.”
Workshops are expected to run on Friday evenings for beginners and Saturdays for more experienced players. The YMCA is located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook. Interested players can sign up for the workshops by calling the North Suburban YMCA at 847 272 7250.
