Introduction
The annual Pepsi Cup Team Championships was established in 1986, and each year it caps the season with a playoff among Colorado club teams.
The winning squad gets their club name inscribed onto the Pepsi Cup trophy and has the honor of displaying it in their home club until the following year's playoff. Over two decades of continuous play have been recorded, and despite unfortunate changes in the club landscape, this annual event remains a player favorite.
After many years of being hosted by the Colorado Athletic Club in Aurora (CACA), the facility closure in late 2005 forced a re-location of the championship. The combined efforts of the event founder - John Foust - and the Colorado Racquetball Association, allowed the event to continue uninterrupted at the Littleton YMCA.
Director's Message
By John Foust
Pepsi Cup Founder & Executive Director
Each year the Pepsi Cup marks the end of the CRA's competitive season and -- at the same time -- reminds us that a new season is just a few months away. Time flies when you're having fun.
The Pepsi Cup is an event unique to Colorado. No other state runs a team competition such as this. The Pepsi Cup has a storied tradition and is second only to the CRA State Championships for longevity. Once again I’ll be serving as the Executive Director responsible for overall tournament organization, help at the tournament, rules, awards, and souvenirs -- and the CRA board will serve as the physical tournament directors. We’ll share responsibility in making decisions.
In 2006 the CRA stepped forward to help with the tournament, and without their help it would have been very difficult for me to continue to personally shoulder all the responsibilities associated with running an event of this nature. It’s easy to underestimate what the CRA does for racquetball in Colorado. Trust me, they do much more than you think.
To those of you unfamiliar with the Pepsi Cup format here’s how things work. The Pepsi Cup matches club level winners in a team racquetball format. Players compete for individual trophies and at the same time earn points for their club. The team compiling the most points at the end of the competition is recognized as the Pepsi Cup/Colorado Team Racquetball Champion. The tournament is USRA/CRA sanctioned and players earn USAR and Colorado ranking points for competing.
One of the most common comments about the Pepsi Cup is "we can’t send a full team." Well, that doesn't matter. Flatirons won the 2006 title with nine, count’em, 9 players, and CAC / Monaco placed fifth with seven players (two that lost in the first round!). Of course, quantity AND quality is hard to overcome -- think about past champions like CAC / Aurora and Lakewood Athletic Club -- but uantity alone is not the answer.
As it stands now there’s a great base of players, just spread out more. Look for participation from the regular group but also including - Heartwood Athletic Club, The Trails, Buckley Air Force Base, and Country Club of the Rockies. With a little luck maybe this is the year Grand Junction brings a team over. Having said all that the early favorites have to be Lynmar Racquet Club, Goodson Recreation, and defending champion, Flatiron Athletic Club. Look for the Highlands Ranch to be in the mix a little more this year as well.
The cost to participate is a bargain in this day and age. This fee may be underwritten by your club in total, in part, or by the players themselves. We encourage club support of your players in some form as they are serving as representatives of your athletic facility. Your club is eligible to field two players in each of the singles divisions with the exception of the Elite. As with the doubles, there’s one roster position available in this division. Players may compete in a maximum of one singles, and one doubles event, or two doubles. You may not play two singles events. Awards are given to first, second place finishers (minimum of eight in the division).
A team can consist of up to 30 players…..2 each in Men & Women’s Open, A, B, C singles, 1 each in the Men and Women’s Elite singles, and 1 team each in Men, Women’s and Mixed Open/A and B Doubles.
Remember - you do not have to send a full team to compete. It’s OK to send less.
Obviously teams with a full complement of players have more opportunities to accumulate points. As previously stated - the size of the team helps, but it’s not a guarantee your team will win. As the rounds progress the points accumulated become greater. Many a Pepsi Cup title has been lost in the quirky quarterfinals. It’s in these rounds that the teams start shuffling for position. While having Open players on your team is great they still earn the same amount of points as your B and C players. Many a Pepsi Cup has rested on the shoulders of the less experienced players. The truth of the matter the B and C players generally have an opportunity to earn more points due to the fact they have more players, thus more rounds. Big club, little club, it doesn’t matter. It’s an exciting format and fun for all involved.
The most competitive teams come from athletic clubs that allows their players the opportunity to earn a position on the team rather than simply be chosen. Start that process now! Get organized, determine your selection process, and drum up some interest. Here’s some criteria to take into consideration.
- a. If player from the club is a state or regional finalist, or the defending Pepsi Cup Open champion, they automatically have a roster position in that division.
- b. Other positions are determined by allowing players to sign up and compete in a playoff system.
- c. The number of players competing for a particular position determines the playoff format. It may be a regular draw, or a round robin.
Creating a competitive situation almost always results in a stronger team. This toughness comes from knowing positions were earned rather than given. The more input your players have, the more they become a team.
There’s no doubt the ultimate goal is to win the team title. Almost as important is the opportunity the Pepsi Cup offers to create a true team concept within your racquetball group. These are the things that bond players and solidify your racquetball program.
Tournament Guidelines
2007 22nd Annual PEPSI CUP
COLORADO TEAM RACQUETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Tournament Guidelines
1. Each club will be limited to a maximum of four (4) trade outs - two men/two women. Other players must have a verifiable membership of at least two dues paying months. If during the tournament it is determined that a player, or players, do not meet this criteria the points the player earned to that point will be deducted from the overall team score and the player in question pulled from the draw.
2. All trade outs must be designated on the roster with a (T).
3. Trade outs must be active, and participating, in a minimum of one activity a month.
4. CRA/USAR rankings, if provided, and results from the current year will be used to determine proper player classification. If there is a question up front about a players club membership it will be pursued through the team captain and/or with the club. The tournament director will have final say regarding disputes that may arise during the actual event.
5. Seeding will be based on current CRA/USAR state rankings (if provided), recent tournaments, and past Pepsi Cup playing history.
6. Individuals will be limited to playing a maximum of 1 singles and 1 doubles event. Players entered in two events, singles and doubles, must be prepared to play matches back to back if scheduling requires.
7. All entry fees must be paid prior to the start of the tournament. It is the responsibility of the club to collect and turn in entry fee money. Fees not paid prior to the start of the first match will be charged a late fee of $5.00. No entry refunds after draw has been set.
8. Employees are considered members. You may have two total per team. An employee is 35+ hours per week.
9. Roster changes - if a player substitution is made after the draw has been finalized the new player will take the previous players position, regardless of ability, or lack thereof.
10. Roster changes after entry deadline, if accepted will be subject to a $5.00 charge. This is a one time fee provided all changes are made at the same time.
11. Each club will designate a team captain, or contact person, who will be responsible for their team. This person will serve as a liaison should questions arise in regards to scheduling, conflicts, etc.
12. Consolation is currently not a part of the point earning process but is under review. Court time permitting it may be put into play.
13. USAR rules will prevail. Players must be able to show verification of membership prior to playing their first match. USAR memberships are available at the tournament desk.
14. Losers referee next match or find a suitable replacement. Players who do not complete referee duties will have points deducted from their team total. Neither apply if the referee your own match system is in effect.
15. First place finishers in any division from years past must play, at a minimum, the next highest division. Open players and/or open doubles winners are excluded.
16. Team points, as well as USAR ranking points, will be given to the third and fourth place finishers.
Any questions? Contact John Foust at 303-699-8644 Or email at jwfoust@aol.com
Deadlines & Details
PLAYERS NOT AFFILIATED WITH AN ATHLETIC CLUB CANNOT COMPETE UNLESS THEY MEET THE TRADEOUT AGREEMENT AS STIPULATED IN THE GUIDELINES.
Players found in violation of this policy during the tournament will be dropped from the event and points earned to that point deducted from the team total.
Team captains, please read the guidelines. If possible distribute a copy to your team players to avoid any confusion as to how the tournament works. We’ve had problems in the past because players simply didn’t understand the general guidelines. Your help in this area would be appreciated.
Team captains are invited to take part in the seeding process. The tournament committee generally meets on Sunday afternoon the weekend prior to the Tournament. If you're interested in taking part contact John Foust or Marcia Richards no later than Saturday for the time and place.
Team Roster Deadline:
Friday, May 30, by 8pm. Payment to accompany roster. Note: player substitutions received after the entry deadline and/or once the draw has been set may, or may not, receive consideration in a seeding position.
Tournament Dates:
June 5-8, 2008
Starting Times: Tuesday, June 3, after 7:00pm
Faxed rosters should include Visa/MC information. There’s a $4.00 transaction fee. If the roster and appropriate fees are received prior to the start of the tournament the credit card will not be run. Individuals adding to a team, with captains consent, separately from the official roster will be required to provide a Visa/MC number to enter.
Ultimately it’s the team captain and club’s responsibility
to insure that player entries are paid.
Please contact
John Foust at (303) 699-8644 or
Marcia Richards at 303-738-9797 with any questions.
2007 Captains List
2007 LIST -- Check with these people to see if they'll be coordinating for 2008 ...
Bally's / Westminster -- Captain: Bruce Evans
Buckley Air Force Base -- Captain: Steve Guzman
CAC / Monaco -- Captain: John Foust
Country Club of the Rockies -- Captain: Alok Mehta
Denver Athletic Club -- Captain: Jo Shattuck
Downtown YMCA / C.S. -- Captain: Mark Sikorski
Flatirons Athletic Club -- Captain: Rick Sorenson
Goodson Recreation -- Captain: Bruce Burkland
Heartwood Athletic Club -- Captain: Josh Martin
Highlands Ranch Rec. -- Captain: Scott Parrill
Hot Springs Athletic Club -- Captain: Mark Russo
Lakewood Recreation -- Captain: Deb Beldring
Littleton Family YMCA -- Captain: Bruce Burgess
Lynmar Racquet Club -- Captain: Eddie Meredith
North Jeffco Racquetball & Fitness -- Captain: Brent Andersen
Pueblo Athletic Club -- Captain: Deb Beaudry
Trails Recreation Center -- Captain: Mike Winters