A bit disappointed to hear this:

Mike Augustin announced the retirement of Shane Vanderson.

"Shane Vanderson, currently ranked #8, announced that this season would be his last playing full-time on the IRT Professional Racquetball Tour. During a post-match interview with John Scott of the IRTNetwork, Vanderson (30), made the announcement by confirming an earlier Tweet where he hinted at retiring and by saying that he "had to grow-up sometime". Shane also said that he did not have any definite plans for his post-racquetball career. "

Stinks to hear. I think it's either crap or get off the pot time. Guessing no crap.

Coach Manny

"Shane Vanderson . . . hinted at retiring and by saying that he "had to grow-up sometime". Shane also said that he did not have any definite plans for his post-racquetball career."

I'm hoping I'm not the only one struck by the paradox here.

Sorry to hear this. I've enjoyed watching him play at many stops over the years....and was fortunate enough to play him in doubles a few times when he was younger. The backhand is on any top 5 list of all time. It could get white hot for stretches at a time. A real thing of beauty. I'd only rank Sudsy's BH as being more fun to watch when it was on. Best of luck to him.....new challenges await.

That's certainly a bummer. Shane has always been one of my favorite players. Watching that backhand is always one of the highlights of my weekend. I'm hoping Head or another company sees the same value in him as the fans do and make him an offer he can't resist!

Pro RB can't afford to lose another top guy!

Save Shane!

Sorry to Manny and Control, but I'm not following your obvious paradox. Don't fret, I may be getting dementia.

Jim

jwoolcock

Sorry to Manny and Control, but I'm not following your obvious paradox. Don't fret, I may be getting dementia.

Jim

According to the release, Shane said he was retiring because he had to grow up sometime, implying that playing was something for kids not adults.

Then the release notes, "Shane also said that he did not have any definite plans for his post-racquetball career."

Someone who is adult would have made plans in advance, looking to his future.

Hence the contradiction.

A "paradox" is something that is self-contradictory.

Maybe they offered him a job somewhere?

The sad truth is that, unless you're in the top 2 (possibly 3), you can't live off of racquetball.

rbhatup

Maybe they offered him a job somewhere?

"Shane also said that he did not have any definite plans for his post-racquetball career."

CF ... you have to define paradox and this is posted directly after.

Control
Thank-you. I assumed that Shane was referring to finishing the season, so his post-racquetball plans may not be consummated yet, unlike the more "sudden" retirement by Jack. I wish him all the best; he's a great person and will be an asset to whatever field he chooses. He never put on airs as a top pro, always great with the fans, respectful, etc. His parents did a good job raising him.

Jim

Here is a statement written by Shane

"One of the toughest things to do in Sport is get interviewed after you get done losing. I may have mis-spoke after my match last weekend. Yes, I'm planing on this being my last season playing professional racquetball. The reasons are personal. Yes, I have a plan for after racquetball, but plans change and I'm continually weighing different possible opportunities. Yes, I wish I could keep play...ing. I'm sure racquetball will always be in my life, and to what extent is still to be determined. My only goal now is to finish out the season as strong as possible. I'll write more when the end is closer to thank the people who need thanked, but in the mean time back to training...among other things."

rbhatup

Maybe they offered him a job somewhere?

The sad truth is that, unless you're in the top 2 (possibly 3), you can't live off of racquetball.

That's simply not true!

JasonMannino

rbhatup

Maybe they offered him a job somewhere?

The sad truth is that, unless you're in the top 2 (possibly 3), you can't live off of racquetball.

That's simply not true!

How many pros are able to make a living? The top 8? Top 10?

Control Freak

jwoolcock

Sorry to Manny and Control, but I'm not following your obvious paradox. Don't fret, I may be getting dementia.

Jim

According to the release, Shane said he was retiring because he had to grow up sometime, implying that playing was something for kids not adults.

Then the release notes, "Shane also said that he did not have any definite plans for his post-racquetball career."

Someone who is adult would have made plans in advance, looking to his future.

Hence the contradiction.

A "paradox" is something that is self-contradictory.

Now thats a paradigm.

Clubber

Now thats a paradigm.

you need to get out of your head more, my brother

temp_account

JasonMannino

rbhatup

Maybe they offered him a job somewhere?

The sad truth is that, unless you're in the top 2 (possibly 3), you can't live off of racquetball.

That's simply not true!

How many pros are able to make a living? The top 8? Top 10?

It depends on what you consider a living.

I don't have access to every top players financials, but if a player hustled (teaching lessons and camps, appearances, club pro, play for their country, played T1, GS, and satellite events), I expect more than 20 guys could make a living utilizing their talent and leveraging their ranking in racquetball. How many are actually doing it? I'm not sure, but the market is out there...

temp_account

JasonMannino

rbhatup

Maybe they offered him a job somewhere?

The sad truth is that, unless you're in the top 2 (possibly 3), you can't live off of racquetball.

That's simply not true!

How many pros are able to make a living? The top 8? Top 10?

It depends on what you consider a living.

I don't have access to every top players financials, but with some hustle (teaching lessons and camps, appearances, club pro, play for their country, played T1, GS, and satellite events), I expect more than 20 pros are able to make a living utilizing their talent and leveraging their ranking in racquetball. How many are actually doing it? I'm not sure, but the market is out there...

Shane,
Best wishes in the future! Thanks for being fun to watch and for being so friendly with all of us in the RB community. I always noticed that you were great interacting with the junior players.

Charlie

Jason is exactly correct....there are plenty of opportunities out there once you become a full time professional player, you just have to work at it like anything else.