Iona was responsible for starting the High School Programs in St. Louis.  She was the pioneer of the High School League as we know it today.  She was first introduced to racquetball in 1971.  She fell in love with the sport and became the first woman’s director of Spalding racquetball clubs.  She not only taught racquetball, but also knew directors at each club.  She began all the youth programs for Spaulding.  She wrote a large manual for both women’s and youth programs that were used by 22 clubs.  She began the High School league and nurtured it till the program grew to include 26 boys school and 22 girls schools.  After leaving Spaulding, she coached the Parkway West girl’s team and watched her daughter win the Missouri State Championships.  She has won many Gold & Silver medals in the Senior Olympics and Masters tournaments.

Phil Smith started as a handball player at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center.  He co-authored a book on handball called “Sports Illustrated Handball”.  He coached some of the nation’s top racquetball players, including Steve Serot.  His career at the Jewish Community Center spanned 32 years.  Phil passed away in 2009 at the age of 87.

George Baker was instrumental in the development of intercollegiate racquetball in Missouri and brought prominence to the state of  through his voluntary efforts.  He started a team at then-Southwest Missouri State in the mid-eighties.  The 1987-88 squad was his first to make waves in collegiate racquetball when the unknown doubles team of Brian Bliss and Mark Isley shocked the field and won the Men’s Doubles title.   

Outstanding at networking and fundraising, Baker was able to acquire full ride scholarships for the team and bring top talent to the university from all over the country and Canada including several athletes who went on to become world and pro champions in the sport with the likes of Tim Sweeney who remains the only four-time men’s champion.  With the dominating talent he organized, the university began its run of four consecutive national team championships.    

Baker’s efforts created name recognition for the university on a state and national level.  He was awarded the 1990 Presidential Award by the (then-) AARA for his leadership and contributions to the Missouri Racquetball Association.