Building lasting friendships through the game of racquetball

Feet scuffle across the court.

BANG

A small blue racquetball hits the wall with force.

BANG

“Woah!” The group of four men call out as they follow the target around the room. Bill Benedict aims his racket, sends the ball back, and the game continues.

The sound of a racquetball being shot across the court, ricocheting back to the players has long been synonymous with many YMCAs across the country. In 1950, YMCA volunteer Joe Sobek invented racquetball “as an alternative to squash and handball,” according to the YMCA of USA.

Benedict has been playing racquetball since he joined the Y 40 years ago. During that time, he’s built friendships with dozens of other racquetball players including Richard Alter.

“I get a good workout with people I enjoy,” Alter said.

Other members who utilize the racquetball courts at the Binghamton Y would agree.

Joe Brady is still playing with the same five guys he started with 20 years ago. It’s not only a “great group of guys” to play the sport with, but it’s also helped control his weight and improve his health, he explained.

“The Y has been a big part of my life,” Brady said. He remembers visiting the Y as a kid for sleep overs, and now his children participate in youth programs.

“I am a Y guy,” he said.