The lefthander in the famed Obert family of handball champions (joining brothers Oscar and Ruby in the Hall of Fame) Carl amassed an amazing singles and doubles record. A student of the game, Carl also dominated with his speed, hooks and tenacity. Growing up as a one-waller, Carl excelled at three-wall as well and then became one of the few men to win titles at one-, three- and four-wall. Playing doubles with Ruby, Carl won the USHA one- and four-wall titles as well as two national three-wall singles titles.
The most dominating, winningest handball player of alt time is considered by most to be the game’s all-time best. Naty “El Gato” Alvarado revolutionized the game of handball, turning the handball world upside down with his ambidextrous offensive attack. Reaching his prime during the early years of the pro tour, Alvarado went on a tear, winning 63 professional tournaments over a 14-year period. Alvarado became the winningest singles champion even in 1990 when he won his 11 national four-wall singles title. Naty was born in Juarez, Mex., and moved to the United States in 1976 with his wife Lupe.
Six Pro Wins, Three USHA National Titles and Two National YMCA titles
Dennis Hofflander may have the game’s best two-handed shooter. Hofflander made his first mark on USHA history by destroying the National Juniors field in 1963. No opponent scored more than five points against Dennis and the event featured other future greats, including Fred Lewis. After a stint in Vietnam, Dennis made his handball comeback by placing second in the 1974 Nationals. Dennis won the very next pro stop and went on to take second in the next two national championships.
A fierce competitor, Hofflander was all business on the court but a clean, fair player. He was called first true “pro handball player,” because it was the prize money that drew him back into the game after his tour of duty. Dennis learned the game on the south side of Chicago, where he became a firefighter.
Rosemary Bellini was the first Women’s Champion in 1980, and successfully defended her title for four of the first five years of the event. No one has dominated handball like Rosemary Bellini controlled the Women’s field in the early ’80s. An excellent athlete, Rosemary also excelled at softball.
An aggressive front-court shooter, Rosemary’s strength was her strong right hand and court savvy. That style carried over to three- and one-wall play, where she powered her way past her competition for many years.
As the first Women’s champion, it was most appropriate that Rosemary was the first female inducted to the Handball Hall of Fame at a gala affair in Denver.
Stuffy Singer was one of the most physically talented champions. Singer had all the tools. His return of serve and rally game were widely acknowledged as among the best ever. After his 1968 four-wall singles win, Stuffy suffered a series of physical setbacks, included several knee operations and Achilles tendon problems. Nevertheless, Singer went on to win two national doubles titles with Marty Decatur and later added masters laurels.
“Steady” Freddy Lewis won his first national title in 1972 and it was considered an upset at the time. But Lewis pulled off five more singles wins to become one of the game’s most durable champions. Fred dominated the action on the early pro handball tour, which started in 1974. Lewis topped the all-time prize money list for more than a decade.
Fred personified the “percentage handball” game, and coupled that with the ability to defend from deep court and convert any rally-ending opportunities.
In 1951, at the first USHA National Tournament, Buffalo’s Plekan was making what most experts considered his first and last serious bid for the USHA four-wall championship (Plekan had won several AAU and YMCA titles). It was common knowledge that Plekan was playing despite injured legs that quivered with every prolonged rally. Plekan lost the first game to Vic Hershkowitz in the final, but rallied in the next two to capture the first USHA title. Armed with great hooking serves, Plekan was extremely smart player.
Russo was one of the most versatile players ever, winning titles in all versions of the game in singles and doubles. He is the only player to win national doubles titles in all versions in one year (1969), a feat he accomplished with three different partners.
Russo had wins over the game’s all-time greats, including Fred Lewis, Naty Alvarado and Paul Haber. “Little Louie” grew up in New York and played at the famed Castle Hill Beach Club.
Teamed with Johnny Sloan, Collins dominated the national doubles scene for years. Known as the “Windy City Whiz Kids,” the tandem captured four consecutive national four-wall doubles titles, the longest doubles streak at the time. In 1955, the pair took their show on the road, playing in 16 Eastern cities. The following year, they visited 25 cities across the country.
Collins was a serving/scoring machine on the right side. From 1951-60, Collins amassed 17 national AAU, USHA and YMCA doubles titles. In addition to his heralded right-side play, Phil was ranked among the top four singles players in the country for almost a decade.
Ruby may have been the smartest and cagiest of the three Obert brothers inducted into the Handball Hall of Fame. Relying on his court sense and skill, Ruby won doubles titles in all three versions of the game. Despite his dominance of the doubles scene, Ruby had the distinction of being both the youngest (age 19) and oldest (41) to win the Open singles division of the AAU National one-wall competition. In all, he captured 36 national AAU, USHA and YMCA titles.
Off the court, Ruby served on the national one-wall committee and conducted clinics at high schools throughout New York.
