ATHL E TI C S
Irv Alten Handball Tournament is Back
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rv Alten doesn’t play handball anymore, but he keeps his hand in, so to speak. Every holiday season, Alten’s generosity ensures that all area handball players enjoy a free Saturday doubles tournament. This year the event is Saturday, Dec. 17. With the support of his wife of nearly 68 years, Gloria, Irv created the Alten Handball Foundation about a decade ago, which is the primary sponsor of the event. MAC Holiday Handball has existed in some form for nearly 30 years, but a few years back it was renamed for Irv, now age 93. Alten began playing handball as a child in
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New York, when any school that had a wall had games. Balls were repurposed tennis balls from the historic West Side Tennis Club at Forest Hills near Manhattan. “All the schools would send somebody up to get them,” Alten says of the bushel barrels of balls. Today’s club version of handball is played on four walls with a dense, harder ball. However, the most forgiving ball for new hands is a larger, softer one usually seen in 1-wall games, similar to those old tennis balls.
The U.S. Handball Association some- times changes the rubber formula in all types of handballs hoping to make the game more accessible for new players, and Irv respects the organization’s strategy. “I think the USHA is going in the right direction,” he says of the easier-to-play handball. Whatever ball players are using, Alten’s foundation gifts are helping all over the region.
Take care of yourself.
To make an appointment, call MAC massage at 503-517-7264.
“The foundation was established to promote handball in the Northwest, which is doing very well,” says Steve Grow, a MAC handball player and the foundation’s president. The Alten Foundation supports many local tournaments and youth and collegiate programs. It gives an annual gift to the handball team at Pacific University in Forest Grove.
In this season of cheer, it is good to have friends. Irv Alten is a great friend of handball, and although he doesn’t look much like Santa, his legacy and contributions to the sport and local players are priceless gifts.
– Chatten Hayes WM 66 | The Wınged M | DECEMBER 2011
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