Mardak Community Challenge

As a starting point, communities and programs awarded funding will need to find local funding to match the Mardak Community Challenge awards. 

The Mardak funds will pay college students to teach handball and mentor younger students.  Typically, the endowment will spend about $20,000 in this manner, and the USHA is looking for communities with about $2,000 in matching funds to be part of this program.  This amount could be greater if the local community can match and has the program to make it work.  The USHA will accept applications for the Mardak Community Challenge through Dec. 1.   Awards will be made beginning in the following February and continuing until funds are depleted.

Please send your requests to [email protected].

In the application, please describe the teaching or mentoring to be done, how many certified instructors will be involved, how many students will be reached, how often the program will occur and how much matching funding is available.  Feel free to contact Matt Krueger or Sam Esser at the USHA or call (520)795-0434 for more information and details about this tremendous opportunity.

Eligibility

These are the guidelines established for the skill-level events at the national championships, specifically the A singles, B singles and doubles, C singles and age-group B singles events. These events were created for players who are not proficient in the open (for A), A (for B) or B (for C) events at the local level.

Intent: A subjective test

• If you are considered a legitimate open player, you should not enter the “A Divisions” or lower events.
• If you are considered a legitimate “A player” or open masters, golden or super player, you should not enter any of the B or C events. These events are intended for less proficient players. They were not created for you.
• If you are considered a legitimate “B player,” you should not enter the C event.  This event is intended for the less proficient player. It is not for you.

Evaluation: An objective test

• If you regularly advance in state, regional or local “major” singles tournaments in the open, you should not enter any of the A or lower events.
• If you regularly advance in state, regional or local “major” singles tournaments in A, or any open masters events, you should not enter any of the B or C events, singles or doubles.
• If you regularly advance in state, regional or local “major” singles tournaments as a B or better player, you should not enter the C events.
• If you have won any national open event in singles or doubles in one-, three- or  four-wall, you are no longer eligible for any national A event.
• If you have won any national B event in singles or doubles in one-, three- or four-wall, you are no longer eligible for any national B singles event and should not enter any national B doubles event.

These guidelines still put most of the responsibility back on you, the player. The USHA board believes that the major effort of classification belongs to the entrant. That is the way most local and regional classification is done, and we want to reinforce that.

Our tournament directors have been authorized to screen every entrant and to take a liberal attitude in reclassifying any possible offender. If there’s any doubt, the entry will probably be bumped up to the next skill level. Be fair to yourself and to your opponents, and be a true sport and abide by the competitive spirit of handball.

2021 updates in RED
7/14/2021

                                                                                                         2022 updates in GREEN
                                                                                                                               8/2/2022  

                                                                                                2023 changes  (voted on 11/13)

Rule I: Matriculation

A. Participation is permitted in any USHA collegiate handball contest provided the player is a bona fide, matriculated student at an accredited university or college (not a business or trade school, etc.). A player must be regularly enrolled, doing full-time work as defined by the regulations of the institution at which he or she is enrolled. 

B. It is the sole responsibility of the player/coach to confirm the eligibility of participants verified by letter, with school seal affixed, from the office of the dean of admissions or registrar prior to the entry deadline of the national collegiate tournament. If a player is registered at multiple universities, a letter from ONE university must identify the player as full-time. The player must represent the school from where the verification letter is provided. Proof of eligibility from fall semester will be accepted, but a player may be asked to verify eligibility during spring semester.

C. EXCEPTION: Students who show proof of full-time status during the 2020-21 academic year may participate in ONE Collegiate National Handball Tournament without being enrolled in school, during the first full academic year following their graduation. Graduated students must supply a copy of their diploma.

Rule II: Period of Eligibility

A. A player’s period of eligibility begins when he/she plays in their first collegiate national tournament and continues for six consecutive years total. The period of eligibility can begin as an undergraduate or graduate student.

B. The ONLY exception to the period of eligibility is if a student’s regular attendance is interrupted by military service in any of the armed forces. Their period of eligibility shall be extended to match the military service interruption up to a maximum of five years. USHA officials must be notified of this exception by January 19th of the tournament year.

C. There are no appeals to extend a player’s period of eligibility. EXCEPTION: students who competed in at least one Collegiate National Handball Tournament in 2020 or earlier will have their period of eligibility extended to seven consecutive years.

Rule III: Participation

A. Participation in collegiate handball will be limited to FOUR national collegiate tournaments during a player’s period of eligibility.

B. This rule is intended to allow participation in four national collegiate tournaments for a) full-time undergraduates; b) full-time graduate students; and c) part-time undergraduate seniors in the calendar year in which they plan to graduate.

C. Senior undergraduate students requiring less than a full-time academic curriculum to graduate will be allowed to participate; any entrants who are part-time students must be expected to graduate in the same calendar year as the collegiate tournament. Alternatively, individuals who graduated during the fall semester immediately preceding the tournament and have not used up their eligibility will be allowed to participate. Players competing under either of these scenarios will NOT be using up their one-time exception noted in Rule IC; they will still be able to play the following year if they qualify for that exception and meet all other eligibility requirements.

D. No player over the age of 28 by the end of the tournament (including players whose period of eligibility was interrupted by military service) may participate in the national collegiate tournament.

Rule IV: Tournament

A.  A player must be a current USHA member, at the time of the collegiate national tournament, to participate.

B. Payment (entry fees) must be received by the USHA, or host, prior to the entry deadline to be in the tournament. The only exception is if the handball coach has contacted the USHA tournament director (not tournament host) and agreed to other arrangements prior to the entry deadline.

C. Players may participate in only one singles event.

D. Members of a doubles team must be from the same institution and the same gender.

E. Players are permitted to participate in both singles and doubles (but not doubles only).

Rule V: EXCEPTIONS

A. EXCEPTIONS noted in these eligibility rules are due to the cancellation of the 2021 Collegiate National Handball Tournament.

B. Students competing under any EXCEPTIONS will count towards team points for the school they were last enrolled as a full-time student if it is in accordance with their university’s policies.

C. Student, coaches, and institutions are solely responsible for following university rules pertaining to non-students travel arrangements, e.g. university vehicles, hotel rooms, funding, university eligibility rules, etc.

D. A player may participate a maximum of ONE time in the Collegiate National Tournament as a non-student. This non-student participation must occur at the next available opportunity after his/her graduation.

Purpose:
The U.S. HANDBALL First ACE® Development Program aims to provide new and emerging handball initiatives with financial and equipment support to aid in their growth towards strong and sustainable handball programs.  Bill Bohr First Ace Grants target new development in clubs, youth service organizations, schools and colleges with the ultimate goal of creating self-supporting programs that continually promote the game to new players and markets.  The First Ace Development Program also aims to provide existing programs with financial support and replacement equipment and travel grants.  Separate forms are available for Travel Grants, Equipment and Replacement Equipment grants. 

Eligibility:
First Ace Development resources are available to all school, club and other programs led by a USHA-Certified Handball Instructor in the United States.  Requests for new or emerging programs and/or existing programs can be made to assist with administration, equipment, or other start-up related costs.  Requests should be made by the primary coach/administrator for the program.  If an application is approved, Development grants will focus on new or emerging programs with a goal for them to be self-supporting over a five-year period.  U.S. HANDBALL reserves all rights related to the acceptance of grant proposals.

All program participants must be U.S. HANDBALL members.  For the first year, U.S. HANDBALL will offer a free pair of gloves to participants who pay the regular membership dues.  For new grant program recipients, a free one-year online membership (gloves not included) is available for participants who provide contact information.  See membership requirements for other available grants.  Eye protection is required for all programs and their participants. 

Process:
To apply for a Bill Bohr First Ace Development grant, please submit an application following the guidelines below.  Once completed, email to [email protected] with “First Ace Grant Application” as the subject.  Applications are due Dec. 20 each year.  Grants are reviewed by the First Ace Development Committee which recommends funding amounts to the USHA Board of Directors.  The committee’s recommendations are reviewed and approved by the USHA Board of Directors during the annual board meeting in January.

Other Available Grants: (separate forms required and available below)

o    Wafe Risner Travel Grant (must submit application 10 days prior to the event)
o    Equipment Grants (May submit application at any time)
o    Replacement Equipment Grants (may submit application 1 year after first equipment grant)

Bill Bohr First ACE® Development Grant Application

Please be as detailed as possible and complete all questions.  An online Grant Application form is available HERE.   Online and emailed grant applications are preferred; however, hard copies can be mailed to: 

Read more about Bill Bohr, his passion for being a handball mentor and his contributions to our game.

USHA
Attn: Bill Bohr First Ace Grants / Matt Krueger
2333 N. Tucson Blvd.
Tucson, AZ  85716

1.  Basic Information:
•    School/Program Name:
•    College, Club, Middle School or High School:
•    Private or Public School:
•    Primary Coach/Administrator Contact Name:
      -Role:
        -Email:                                                                      Phone #:
•    Secondary Contact (Optional):
      -Role:
        -Email:                                                                      Phone #:
•    How many years has this program been in existence?
•    How many participants will be involved this season?
•    When and how long will the program run this year?
•    What is the status of the program within the school (varsity, club team, not officially recognized, etc.)?
•    In the event a grant is awarded, please tell us to whom the check should be written, as well as the proper mailing address:

2.  Financial Status:
•    What is the annual budget of the program?
•    What are the primary areas of cost for the program?  Please be as specific as possible, including dollar amounts.
•    Please provide details about funding sources for the program or team, including parents, school funds, other grants, etc.  Give as much detail as possible about the amount and nature of support from each group.
•    Are any of the above sources of funding still pending? Please provide details.
•    What specific areas of this program will be supported by funding from a First Ace Handball Development Grant?
•    Are other sources of financial support expected to become available?  Will the current sources of funding remain in future years?  Are there specific benchmarks to be met to secure these funds or maintain current funding?

3.  Detailed Program Information

•    How will the program measure success in the coming year (competition against a set number of teams, play in local, regional and national tournaments, etc.)?
•    Provide a description of all of the activities in which the program will engage, including handball and any other off-court plans.
•    Does the program have a coach?  If so, paid or volunteer?
•    Will the current administrators/coaches of the program be in place in future years?  If not, what plans are in place to find appropriate replacements?
•    What facility does the program use for practices/matches?  How often are practices held?
•    What methods does the program use to find and select its players?  Is everyone accepted into the program or are cuts made?
•    Are there further requirements for participation (costs, qualifications, etc.)?
•    If a, youth service or secondary school program, are there local adults programs in the area that players can feed into once they reach leave school?
•    How many other youth programs exist in the area?  Please list them.  Have connections been made with these programs to arrange collaboration and play in the coming season?  Is there a competitive schedule in place? 
•    Is the program a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or affiliated with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization?

Further comments (attach additional sheet if needed).

4.  Program Feedback and Review:
•    If a grant request is accepted for funding, the recipient must sign and agree to terms with the U.S. HANDBALL Bill Bohr First Ace Grant Agreement.   At mid-year and at the end of the program’s season the administrator will be responsible for reporting on the accomplishments of the year.  These details will be compared against stated plans, goals, and financial outlook as reported on this application. 

Please submit this application to [email protected] with “First Ace Grant Application” in the subject line.  U.S. HANDBALL and our First Ace Supporters wish your program success in the coming year!

Other Available Grants through First Ace®

The following Grants may be applied for at any time during the calendar year by a “qualified” program and are subject to the approval of the USHA First Ace Sub-Committee.  Please follow the guidelines for the specific grant and email your application to [email protected] .  

• •   Wafe Risner Travel Grant:  USHA will fund Junior or Collegiate Programs for travel to USHA Sanctioned or Sponsored events (see UPDATE):

Online Form for Wafe Risner Travel Grant

1. Must submit requet 10 days prior to the start of the event. 
2. Participants must be USHA Members, event must be USHA sanctioned and tournament participation will be verified after the travel has occurred.
3. At the rate $20 per player up to a maximum of $300 to any USHA Sanctioned or sponsored event.  The travel grant will not exceed $300.    
4. This funding will be in addition to the annual program funding. 
5. Programs with players eligible for Joe Ardito Travel Funds are not eligible to apply for Wafe Risner Travel Grants to the same event.  (Due to the extreme popularity of Wafe Risner Travel Grants, each program is capped at $500 maximum total for Travel Grants funded each calendar year).  

• •  Equipment Grant:  These grants are available for the Annual Beginning Programs as well as any program of opportunity to develop new handball players.  It is intended that these grants will enable qualified coaches and instructors to take immediate advantage of any emerging local interest in handball at any time. Upon request by a “qualified” person, equipment will be provided at the maximum rate of $15 per new player.  For Beginning Programs, this funding will be in addition to the annual program funding.  It is again emphasized that eye guards are mandatory for all programs. 

Online Form for Equipment Grant

• •  Replacement Equipment Grant:  These grants are available for any program that has the opportunity to develop new handball players.  It is intended that these grants will enable qualified coaches and instructors to take immediate advantage of any emerging local interest in handball at any time. Upon request by a “qualified” person, equipment will be provided at the maximum rate of $15 per new player.   Programs are eligible to submit Replacement Equipment Grants 1 year after receiving initial Equipment Grant.  It is again emphasized that eye guards are mandatory for all programs.

• Note:  Additional equipment beyond the maximum cited above and replacement equipment for Intermediate Programs is available at reduced prices through the USHA’s First Ace Fund. 

Online Form for Replacement Equipment Grant

Thank you for your interest in spreading the joy of Handball, the Perfect Game.  Any questions?  Contact: Vern Robers or Matt Krueger (520)795-0434.

To Organize, Promote and Spread the Joy of Handball:  The Perfect Game

Learn to Teach Handball!  Become a USHA Certified Instructor.  Any USHA Certified Instructor must be an adult (18+), be a current member and maintain their membership with the United States Handball Association.  Certified Educators, YMCA and Boy’s & Girls Club employees may also become USHA Certified Instructors.  All USHA Certified Instructors are required to pass a background screening after passing the test or attending a Teaching Handball Clinic. 
(X – Test Passed or Clinic Attended.  Background Pending).

Get started by taking the Teaching Handball Exam Print or Teaching Exam Online and score at least a 94% (73 of the 78 questions correct). 

Directions: Read “Teaching Handball in Elementary Schools, Teaching Handball in Secondary Schools and Four Wall Handball for the Teacher and Student. 

Readings also recommended:  Handball Rules (Abridged for Curriculum), USHA Code of Conduct and Spirit of Handball, John Wooden Pyramid of Success and the CHARACTER COUNTS! Six Pillars

Special Thanks…
To all volunteers for stepping forward and offering to teach a lifetime sport to young people!

List of USHA Certified Handball Instructors

Level 4
Attain positive observation and feedback from a Level 5 Instructor teaching handball or providing a handball clinic

Mitchell Lallier (Minnesota)
Lupe Marquez (Texas)
Chris Roberts (Illinois)
Mike Spier (Colorado)
Ralph Weil (Ohio)
Charlie Wicker (Arizona)
Daniel Zimet (Maryland)

Level 5
Attain positive observation from a Level 5 or 6 instructor conducting a Teaching Handball Clinic

Gary Cruz (California)
Robert Hickman (Colorado)
Joel Levy (Florida)
Matt Krueger (Arizona)
Vern Roberts (Arizona)
Jennifer Schmitt (Texas)
Ken Starcher (Washington)
Dan Willeford (Arizona)

Level 6

LeaAnn Martin (Washington)
Pete Tyson (Colorado)

A Development Program that will introduce more players to Handball and help them achieve their FIRST ACE!

An ACE is a Mark of Perfection:  An instant point.  An unreturnable shot.  We want our youth to strive for perfection on the court, in the classroom and in life.  We hope to instill values that are incorporated in the Perfect Game as we introduce the sport of handball to the masses.

The USHA’s mission statement is to Organize, Promote and Spread the joy of Handball, the Perfect Game. That is what FIRST ACE is all about.

The continued growth of the sport is crucial for success.

So, when did you get your FIRST ACE?  Regardless of where, when and how it happened, we all remember the joy of hitting that “FIRST ACE.”

Contribute to the FIRST ACE Fund HERE. 

First ACE® Development Grants

Help get your Handball Program Started!  Apply for a First Ace Development Grant HERE.

USHA Referee Certification

Become a Certified Handball Official today!  In our effort to maintain quality and professionalism in officiating in handball, the USHA offers five levels of certification for referees.  Read the updated Referee Certification Program HERE.

Level One
To become eligible to be a Level One Certified Referee, the applicant must EITHER:
•    Complete and pass the Level One Written Exam; OR
•    Attend and complete a referee clinic conducted by a Level Five certified referee.

Print out the USHA 4-Wall LEVEL ONE Referee Exam & Answer Sheet.
Print out the USHA 1-Wall LEVEL ONE Referee Exam & Answer Sheet.

Level Two
To become eligible to be a Level Two Certified Referee, the applicant must have ALL of the following:
•    Completed and passed the Level One Written Exam; AND
•    Attended and complete a referee clinic conducted by a Level Five certified referee.

Level Three
To become eligible to be a Level Three Certified Referee, the applicant must have ALL of the following:
•    Complete and pass the Level One and Level Three Written Exams;
•    Provide at least three referee Rating Cards (one of which must be for a doubles match) with a rating of average or better; OR
•    Have an Evaluation Form completed by a Level Four or Level Five certified referee with a rating of average or better.

Print out the USHA 4-Wall LEVEL THREE Referee Exam & Answer Sheet.
Print out the USHA 1-Wall LEVEL THREE Referee Exam & Answer Sheet.

Level Four
To become eligible to be a Level Four Certified Referee the applicant must have ALL of the following:
•    Already be a Level Three Certified Referee;
•    Provide at least 2 Rating Cards for singles matches with a rating of average or better;
•    Provide at least 2 Rating Cards for doubles matches with a rating of average or better;
•    Have an Evaluation Form completed by a Level Four or Level Five Certified Referee with a rating of average or better.

Level Five
To become eligible to be a Level Five Certified Referee, the applicant must:
•    Already be a Level Four Certified Referee;
•    Conduct a USHA referee clinic under the supervision of a Level Five Certified Referee;
•    Prior to, or after giving the clinic, the applicant must pass an advanced rules knowledge Oral Exam.  Such Oral Exam may be conducted by the host Level Five Certified Referee or via telephone with another Level Five Certified Referee as designated by the Referee Certification Committee.

USHA Membership is required to maintain referee certification. 

Printable Resources: 

• USHA GUIDE FOR HANDBALL REFEREES
• USHA REFEREE RATING CARDS 
• USHA REFEREE EVALUATION FORM

Level One Referees   

Level Two Referees   

 
Level Three Referees  

Level Four Referees  

Level Five Referees       

One-Wall Certified Referees

Level One One-wall Referees   
(© – attended clinic)

Acosta, Isaac ©    College Point, N.Y.       
Bretner, Ben ©    Brooklyn, N.Y.
Centeno, Carlos ©    East Meadow, N.Y. 
Chavez, Gus ©    Elmhurst, N.Y.      
Chen, Cheryl ©    Brooklyn, N.Y.      
Chen, Justin ©    Brooklyn, N.Y.      
Chen, Shirley ©    Brooklyn, N.Y.      
Chiu, Patrick ©    Fresh Mdws., N.Y.      
Chu, Matt ©    Little Neck, N.Y.      
Ciprut, Marc ©      Garden City, N.Y.
Davidoff, Ken ©    Bellmore, N.Y.      
Dubois, Laurence © Dunellen, N.J.
Estrada, Steve ©     Silver Spring, Md.      
Falco, C.R.     Raiford, Fl.
Fantauzzi, Raul ©    Brooklyn, N.Y.
Fazzino, Robert   Brooklyn, N.Y     
Figueroa, Veronica © Brooklyn, N.Y.
Fitzpatrick, Emmitt ©    Brooklyn, N.Y.  
Frank, Mort ©     Potomac, Md.      
Freitas, Tony ©     Port Jefferson, N.Y.      
Gantt, Buddy ©    Brooklyn, N.Y.
Garcia, Ariel ©     Elmhurst, N.Y.      
Glavin, Richard ©    New York, N.Y.            
Kanner, Howard ©     Gaithersburg, Md.            
Larson, Stephen ©    Tucson, Ariz.      
Lee, Jenny ©    Brooklyn, N.Y.      
Lopez, David ©    Conway, S.C.
Maroney, Dan ©     Glendale, N.Y.   
Mendez, Alethia ©   New York, N.Y.          
Nadel, Elliott ©     Brooklyn, N.Y.      
Nardi, Mike ©     Camden, N.J.      
Nett, Terry (T)    Bellvue, Col.          
Ozgar, Bob ©    Eldersburg, Md.      
Palmore, Graham ©     Bronx, N.Y.        
Roberts, Tony ©    Queens Village, N.Y.   
Rodriguez, David ©    Little Neck, N.Y.                          
Watson, Michael    Queens, N.Y.      
White, Charlie ©     Camden, N.J.      
Williams, Paul ©     Baldwin, N.Y.     
Xue, George ©    Woodside, N.Y.      
Zimet, Dan ©    Gaithersburg, Md.      
Zimet, Eli ©     Gaithersburg, Md.      

Level Two Referees  

Carter, Jason   Howell, N.J.
Dukes, Frank    Brooklyn, N.Y.       
Kolodny, Howard      Bethesda, Md.                     

Level Three Referees

Level Four Referees

Daskalakis, Danielle    Brooklyn, N.Y.   
McConney, Karen     Jamaica, N.Y.
Polanco, William     Brooklyn, N.Y.
Vale, Jared     Floral Park, N.Y. 

Level Five Referees  

Grimm, Anthony    Queens Village, N.Y.      
Apuzzi, Al    Brooklyn, N.Y.