This has been quite the busy year at USA Racquetball. One of the biggest changes has been the introduction of a combined membership and event system. If you haven't been on the new system, now would be a great time to check it out!

One feature to point out is the ability to do some sample test with the first one being a ref test. When you log in to the system, there is a menu on the left hand side. Look for "Courses and Testing" and select it. Then select "My Courses and Test".

Take this one: Rules and Officiating Sample Test - Part One

"Knowledge of the rules is an important responsibility of all instructors,coaches and players. This sample test will prepare you for the referee certification program that approves players to become certified referees."

Note: The USAR did not make up the above text ... I did since I thought the test was a nice challenge for myself and others. I'd suggest you read the questions carefully ... unlike what I did!!

Exciting indeed. They messed up my membership when I renewed it and had it expire as the same date as my previous one. Now they will not send me my USAR-RIP certifcate because they said my membership is not current. All emails at this point unanswered. So they make changes, but if they can not maintain the basic membership status what difference will it make?

recycled

Exciting indeed. They messed up my membership when I renewed it and had it expire as the same date as my previous one. Now they will not send me my USAR-RIP certifcate because they said my membership is not current. All emails at this point unanswered. So they make changes, but if they can not maintain the basic membership status what difference will it make?

That does not sound right. Did you call to try to get it straightened out? Perhaps your emails ended up in a spam folder? I have had things like that happen with others.

In that same area I mentioned above there is a history link. It seems pretty decent as it has my logins, my test, my tournaments entered and how much I paid, donations, etc.

http://www.r2sports.com/membership/myHistory.asp

Call. I went to the website and easily found this contact page with all the staffs phone/exts (and emails)

http://usra.org/AbouttheUSAR/Staff.aspx

FINALLY, take the test and let me know how you did. I got 100% but had to take it twice. I got less than the 'pass' score (85%) the first time.

I am not sure what the problem was but Larry's current membership expires in june of 2011. When the old system was transferred there was some problems with duplicate memberships but I believe all those problems have been corrected. The USAR-Ip diploma has been sent and there was a problem with the original because Larry's name was misspelled on the certification information and we could not verify the membership. As soon as we rectified the problem the diploma was mailed. One of the features of the new system is that diplomas can also be printed out from the web site once the students name is verified as passing the test.

Thanks Jim. I have not talked with you since the NMRA banquet in Canoga Park a few years back. I appreciate the response. Now if i can just figure out how to get into the site since it no longer takes my old login info.

Thank you Scott!!!

Bringing up this topic helped me look for something I guess I don't have access to but going deeper I got some GREAT information!

I now have the date I believe I'm going to register and take the USAR-IP. Not 100% sure but more than 50% sure. I think I will know a lot more in the next week or so.

If you don't train to become a pro, play to have fun and coach others to become pros. Let's help them reach their potential to the best of our abilities and learning.

I love coaching and instructing!!!

Thank you USA Racquetball!!!!



Manny

Manny, you are very welcome.

The email from USAR about the groups got me looking and then I saw the test.

I thought it'd be a good challenge for people ... but I think everyones scared to take it .

I was glad Jim Hiser jumped in (on Christmas even) to help answer Larry's concerns.

Larry--if you send me an email at hiserj@me.com I will find your password and also if needed provide instructions on how to get to the on-line instructional modules ( test) and also the more than 20 other instructional articles. WE are reformatting all the tests ( to read easier) and also added a couple of new tests. Soon we will also have a 25 question officials test concentrating on doubles and also another test for event directors concentrating on draws, seedings and other areas of concerns for an event director.
We intend on adding one testing module per month and two to three instructional articles. If you have any ideas for modules and tests please let me know.

Hi Jim, again thanks for the quick reply. I spent some time there today and got it figured out, as they changed all of the login and password information.

I have been a certified ref for the past 5 years (have worked with Lynn Stephens a few years back)and stay current. Funny how people always want a good ref in their tough matches, but never want to get cerified themselves.

Now to get my focus back to tomorrow, have a juniors clinic to do.

Well JHiser, I just got an email from Coach, and now they again say that I have not paid my fee for the Instructor's course. I called all this info in directly to HF. It would be nice if we could get this resolved.

Resolved. We only needed to track the payment, which we did. All fixed .