Marty Hogan (racquetball player)
Encyclopedia
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.
, in order to pursue professional racquetball. He eventually attended San Diego State University
.
Hogan is credited with revolutionizing the game of racquetball, with a serve that drove the ball as fast as 142 miles per hour. This speed measurement is a reference to the ball speed after hitting the front wall and then bouncing as it returned. He won the U.S. indoor professional racquetball national championship on five consecutive occasions, between 1978 and 1982, and won again in 1986. In 1979, Hogan also won the national outdoor (three-wall) championships.
, Vermont
, in 1975 defeating Steve Keeley
in the finals. He went on to become the first millionaire in the history of racquetball. Hogan was so dominant that he lost only four matches in three years during his prime. He lost only one match in 1977, two matches in 1978, and one match in 1979. Hogan's greatest season was 1979; not only did he win the Pro Racquetball Nationals, but he also won the Outdoor Racquetball Nationals and the Paddleball Nationals.
Hogan is the only player in the history of the sport to win all three titles in one year. He also won a second Paddleball National Championship in 1987. Hogan captured his final national racquetball championship in 1989, retiring the following year.
He returned briefly and won his last professional racquetball title in 1991, 16 years after he won his first professional tournament. After retiring from the professional game, Hogan competed in a handful of national amateur events. He won three USRA National Doubles Championships, 1994 25+ with Jeff Conine
, 1996 35+ with Steve Trent and 2001 40+ with Dave Peck. Hogan won the US Open 35+ Singles Championship in 1996.
In 2002, Hogan founded The Legends Racquetball Tour. He won the most victories of any participant in the Legends Tour, winning 14 events. Hogan won the Legends Racquetball Nationals 35+ in 2002 and 2003. Moreover, he won the Legends 45+ National Championship in 2005, and the 2004 US Open Legends Racquetball Championship. In addition, he teamed with Cliff Swain
to win the Legends National Doubles Championships in 2004 and 2005.
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 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. Louis, Missouri, where he was taught to play racquetball by his mother, Goldie. In 1975, Hogan won the United States Racquetball Association Junior Racquetball Championship. While still a teenager, Hogan relocated to San Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
, in order to pursue professional racquetball. He eventually attended San Diego State University
San Diego State University
San Diego State University , founded in 1897 as San Diego Normal School, is the largest and oldest higher education facility in the greater San Diego area , and is part of the California State University system...
.
Hogan is credited with revolutionizing the game of racquetball, with a serve that drove the ball as fast as 142 miles per hour. This speed measurement is a reference to the ball speed after hitting the front wall and then bouncing as it returned. He won the U.S. indoor professional racquetball national championship on five consecutive occasions, between 1978 and 1982, and won again in 1986. In 1979, Hogan also won the national outdoor (three-wall) championships.
Professional career and retirement
Hogan turned professional and won his first professional racquetball title in BurlingtonBurlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, in 1975 defeating Steve Keeley
Steven 'Bo' Keeley
Steven Bo Keeley, born in February 1949, is an American adventurer, naturalist, holistic healer, veterinarian, professional athlete, commodities market consultant, garage publisher, and executive tour guide, who in 2000 left civilization for a desert burrow in southern California, then, in 2009,...
in the finals. He went on to become the first millionaire in the history of racquetball. Hogan was so dominant that he lost only four matches in three years during his prime. He lost only one match in 1977, two matches in 1978, and one match in 1979. Hogan's greatest season was 1979; not only did he win the Pro Racquetball Nationals, but he also won the Outdoor Racquetball Nationals and the Paddleball Nationals.
Hogan is the only player in the history of the sport to win all three titles in one year. He also won a second Paddleball National Championship in 1987. Hogan captured his final national racquetball championship in 1989, retiring the following year.
He returned briefly and won his last professional racquetball title in 1991, 16 years after he won his first professional tournament. After retiring from the professional game, Hogan competed in a handful of national amateur events. He won three USRA National Doubles Championships, 1994 25+ with Jeff Conine
Jeff Conine
Jeffrey Guy Conine is a former Major League Baseball first baseman/outfielder who played several years with the Florida Marlins. Previously, Conine played with the Kansas City Royals , Florida Marlins , Baltimore Orioles , Philadelphia Phillies , Cincinnati Reds , and New York Mets . He batted and...
, 1996 35+ with Steve Trent and 2001 40+ with Dave Peck. Hogan won the US Open 35+ Singles Championship in 1996.
Honors and later career
Hogan was named the Professional Racquetball Player of the Year an unprecedented eight times, in 1977,1978,1979,1980,1981,1982,1986 and 1989. Ranked as the number one raquetball player of all time by National Racquetball Magazine, Hogan was inducted into the USA Racquetball of Fame in 1997.In 2002, Hogan founded The Legends Racquetball Tour. He won the most victories of any participant in the Legends Tour, winning 14 events. Hogan won the Legends Racquetball Nationals 35+ in 2002 and 2003. Moreover, he won the Legends 45+ National Championship in 2005, and the 2004 US Open Legends Racquetball Championship. In addition, he teamed with 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...
to win the Legends National Doubles Championships in 2004 and 2005.