Above: Kane and Yours Truly-Photo by Restrung Magazine
Here’s to the man who changed racquetball -forever!
I always found it funny how crowds want desperately for anyone to step up and beat Kane Waselenchuk. They root against him scream and boo and when the match is over they line up to ask for Kane’s autograph.
He has changed the game forever-let me list some ways.
1. Raised the bar on what is good racquetball-there have been other champions before, but not like this champion. Not total domination of opponents with ridiculous scores.
2. Changed how the game is played with routine shots between the legs and behind the back. Many players use these shots but he uses them to end rallies, not to show off.
3. Set records that appear to be unbreakable. Almost every year he has played he has finished number one!
4. The routine-ever notice how many players copy Kane? Hit the ball so many times to the front wall before they serve? Or even go as far to wear a warmup t-shirt before changing into the tournament shirt?
5. Kane was the first guy I can recall who wanted a coach involved in seeing what was going on out on the court and could observe and help him during matches. Actually Dr. Bud was a huge influence on many players and all of the pros had coaches back in the day, but not actively coaching them during timeouts and consulting with them during matches and traveling to tournaments. Until………the man who changed racquetball forever came along.
6. This probably is the most important thing of all–the level of play has never been seen before. The late Charlie Brumfield , himself a pro and national number one player, said it best. “When they write the history of racquetball it will start with “before Kane” and end with” After Kane”!
7. Planning and training has never been done like he does it. Without giving away top secret info, he practices to improve, not beat people in practice. He beats people in tournaments.
8. So why did he hire me? I am often asked that question. There are many reasons but one racquetball reason is I give him things to improve upon and he has taken that information and developed it way beyond anything I could envision. Some non-racquetball reasons would be respect, privacy, friendship and confidentiality.
9. Today almost every player has some sort of entourage involved as well as a coach. Take a look at the pro players and often you will see copies of the original, Kane Waselenchuk.
Over 22 years ago I coached the first match with him. I do not know when it will end, but it has been an awesome experience and led to many other amazing athletes I work with and helping them on their climb to the top!