Jack Huczek
Encyclopedia
Jack Huczek is an American professional racquetball
player. Huczek was the #1 men's professional player at the end of the 2006-2007 International Racquetball Tour
(IRT) season, and was #3 at the end of the 2008-09 season. Retired from Professional Racquetball on May 24, 2011.
(17), Brett Harnett (17), Tim Sweeney (18), and Cliff Swain
(18).
That win was in Huczek's first season on the tour full time, and helped him finish 5th in the 2001-02 season end rankings. In 2002-2003, he was 4th, and then 2nd for three straight seasons behind Kane Waselenchuk
.
Huczek's won 28 IRT tournaments in 103 appearances on tour. He has a winning career record against all other regular tour players except for Sudsy Monchik
and Waselenchuk.
.
Huczek's first appearance with Team USA was at the 2002 Tournament of the Americas (now Pan American Championships), when he lost in the semi-finals to Javier Moreno. However, Huczek then went on a gold medal streak, winning three straight International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in 2002
, 2004
and 2006
, two Pan Am Championships in 2003 and 2005, and the 2003 Pan American Games
.
Huczek's record at the IRF World Junior Championships will likely never been broken or even equaled. He won 11 consecutive World Junior titles beginning with the Boys 8 and under World Junior title in 1992, and continuing with two in each successive age division (10 & under, then 12, 14, 16, and finally 18 & under) until 2002.
.
, a Canadian, who is herself a champion racquetball
player having won two IRF World Championships
and six Canadian Championships. Originally from Michigan
, Huczek currently resides in Dallas, Texas
with Van Hees and their daughter.
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
player. Huczek was the #1 men's professional player at the end of the 2006-2007 International Racquetball Tour
International Racquetball Tour
The International Racquetball Tour is the professional series that features the world's best racquetball players and the most important pro events, mostly played in the USA....
(IRT) season, and was #3 at the end of the 2008-09 season. Retired from Professional Racquetball on May 24, 2011.
Professional career
Huczek made his first IRT appearance at 17, in 2000, and won his first IRT event at age 19. Only five players have won a men's pro tour tournament at a younger age*: Steve Serot (at 17), Marty HoganMarty Hogan (racquetball player)
Marty Hogan is a former American racquetball player who won more than 100 international or national titles and six U.S. national championships during his 14-year career. Hogan was ranked either number one or number two in the world from 1976 to 1990.- Early years :He was born in St...
(17), Brett Harnett (17), Tim Sweeney (18), and Cliff Swain
Cliff Swain
Cliff Swain is the player with the most tournament wins in professional racquetball history. He began playing the pro tour - International Racquetball Tour - in the 1980s and continued doing so into the 2000s. Known for his great drive serve and on court intensity, the left-handed Swain was a...
(18).
That win was in Huczek's first season on the tour full time, and helped him finish 5th in the 2001-02 season end rankings. In 2002-2003, he was 4th, and then 2nd for three straight seasons behind Kane Waselenchuk
Kane Waselenchuk
Kane Waselenchuk is a professional racquetball player from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Waselenchuk finished the 2010-11 season as the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour for the 6th time. He was undefeated on court in 2010-11, with only a default loss due to illness. It was the second...
.
Huczek's won 28 IRT tournaments in 103 appearances on tour. He has a winning career record against all other regular tour players except for Sudsy Monchik
Sudsy Monchik
Sudsy Monchik , is an American racquetball player. As a five-time Pro World Champion, Monchik is considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the sport. Monchik was known for his power and speed, as well as his shot-making ability, especially his backhand, which many believed...
and Waselenchuk.
International career
As good as his pro career has been, Huczek's record has been better playing internationally on Team USA. In nine appearances, he's won seven gold medals in singles as well as a silver and bronze. The latest gold medal came at the 2009 World GamesRacquetball at the World Games
Racquetball was part of the 1985 World Games in London and 1993 World Games in Den Haag. Also, racquetball was part of the first World Games in 1981 at Santa Clara...
.
Huczek's first appearance with Team USA was at the 2002 Tournament of the Americas (now Pan American Championships), when he lost in the semi-finals to Javier Moreno. However, Huczek then went on a gold medal streak, winning three straight International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in 2002
2002 Racquetball World Championships
The 11th Racquetball World Championships were held in San Juan from August 3 to August 10, 2002, with 32 men's national teams and 19 women's national teams; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition.-Men's team competition:...
, 2004
2004 Racquetball World Championships
The 12th Racquetball World Championships were held in Anyang from July 30 to August 7, 2004, with 17 men's national teams and 14 women's national teams; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition.-Men's team competition:...
and 2006
2006 Racquetball World Championships
The 13th Racquetball World Championships were held in Santo Domingo from August 3 to 13, with 22 men's national teams and 18 women's national teams in the national teams competition; and several players in the Singles and Doubles competition.-Men's team competition:-Men's final standings:-Women's...
, two Pan Am Championships in 2003 and 2005, and the 2003 Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
.
Huczek's record at the IRF World Junior Championships will likely never been broken or even equaled. He won 11 consecutive World Junior titles beginning with the Boys 8 and under World Junior title in 1992, and continuing with two in each successive age division (10 & under, then 12, 14, 16, and finally 18 & under) until 2002.
US championships
Huczek has won the US Nationals four times, first in 2001, then again in 2004, 2005, and 2009. He also won the US National doubles title three consecutive years from 2004-2006 with partner Rocky CarsonRocky Carson
Rocky Carson is an American professional racquetball player . Carson is the current racquetball World Champion, a title he also won in 2008. Carson was the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour at the end of the 2007-08 season., and finished ranked 3rd at the end of the 2009-10 season...
.
Personal
In August 2009, Huczek married Christie Van HeesChristie Van Hees
Christie Van Hees is a Canadian racquetball player. Van Hees was the number one women's professional player at the end of the 2004-2005, but after playing only two events in the 2008-09 Women's Professional Racquetball Organization , fell to #19.- Professional career :Van Hees's three US Open...
, a Canadian, who is herself a champion racquetball
Racquetball
For other sports often called "paddleball", see Paddleball .Racquetball is a racquet sport played with a hollow rubber ball in an indoor or outdoor court...
player having won two IRF World Championships
Racquetball World Championships
The World Racquetball Championships, organized by the International Racquetball Federation , were first held in 1981. The second World Championships were in 1984, and have been held every two years since.The World Championships have two parts...
and six Canadian Championships. Originally from Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, Huczek currently resides in Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
with Van Hees and their daughter.