Third Time's the Charm for Denny Racquetball Tournament Competitor

Heather Denny presents the championship trophy in the gold division to Calvin Godwin.
Photo by Lori Foster

Heather Denny presents the championship trophy in the gold division to Calvin Godwin.

Calvin Godwin has played Pawel Wolinksi three times in the championship match of the George Denny Memorial Racquetball Tournament. After losing to Wolinksi the first two years of the tournament, Godwin came out on top this time and dethroned Wolinski, who until now has won the tournament every year since it started.

The tournament raises funds for a scholarship fund at the University of Arkansas established by the family of George Denny, a professor of educational statistics and research methods, who died in 2013. Contributions can still be made by visiting the Online Giving website. Make sure that the Designation field says Other department, program or fund and that the Other department, program or fund field says George Denny Memorial Scholarship.

In addition to being a valued and respected teacher, colleague and researcher, Denny was known for his devotion to racquetball. He played with several of his fellow professors and knew many other U of A faculty and staff members who played. His wife, Heather Denny, presented the trophies at the tournament Feb. 25 in the HPER Building on the U of A campus.

Godwin didn't play in the tournament last year. He had just graduated the year before from the U of A with a degree in industrial engineering and gone to work for J.B. Hunt Transport in Lowell. He has played Wolinski, a U of A staff member, in tournaments in Fort Smith and Little Rock, but he hasn't played as much locally since graduating.

Godwin began playing with Denny and a group of professors in the mornings at HPER when he enrolled in 2011.

"I really love the racquetball courts at the U of A," he said. "They feel like my home courts because I played there so long. I do know where Pawel struggles and definitely used that to my advantage."

Tournaments are becoming rarer and the Denny tournament draws a good number of players, including students, Godwin said. He plans to continue playing and to return next year to defend his title.

Finalists of each division:

  • Gold: champion – Calvin Godwin; runner-up – Pawel Wolinski; semifinalists: Juan Ruiz Jr. and Tim Minton
  • Silver: champion – Detrich Jenkins; runner-up – Nihad Majid; semifinalists: Kevin Weston and Randy Anderson
  • Bronze: champion – Randall Bowling; runner-up – Randy Green; semifinalists: Dennis Brewer and Clayton Minton
  • Couch Potato: champion – Ronna Turner; runner-up – Taylor Adams; semifinalists: Wen-Juo Lo and Angie Smith-Nix

Many sponsors provided prizes and support for the tournament:

  • Apple Blossom Brewing Company
  • Bocca Italian Eatery
  • Campus Bookstore
  • Cold Stone Creamery
  • Farrell's Lounge
  • Feltner Brothers
  • Fossil Cove Brewing Co.
  • Ginger Rice & Noodle Bar/Shogun/Wasabi
  • Hilton Garden Inn
  • Lewis & Clark Outfitters 
  • Malco Theatres, Inc.
  • Pesto Café
  • Sassy's Red House
  • Tacos4Life
  • University of Arkansas Bookstore
  • University Recreation
  • Wood Stone Craft Pizza
Contacts

Heidi S. Wells, director of communications
College of Education and Health Professions
479-575-3138, heidisw@uark.edu

Headlines

The World as a Classroom: The Executive M.B.A. Program at U of A

The program, offered through the Sam M. Walton College of Business, blends online learning with face-to-face interaction and applied studies in a real-time international immersion trip.

Keri Blakinger, Author of 'Corrections in Ink,' to Speak at Fayetteville Public Library April 22

Blakinger, an award-winning journalist now at the Los Angeles Times, will talk about her memoir and her work as a reporter at 6 p.m. April 22 at the Fayetteville Public Library's Walker Community Room.

Visit With University Libraries and Pat Walker Health Center's Medical Services at Carnival Today

Employees are invited to meet fellow workers from units across campus including the University Libraries and the Pat Walker Health Center at today's Making Your Day Work Carnival at the Arkansas Union.

Farewell Reception April 3 for Fulbright College's Lisa Summerford

The campus community is invited to celebrate Summerford's achievements and to wish her well during a drop-in retirement reception from 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, in the Fulbright College Dean's Office in Old Main 523.

Rachel McGathy Retiring After 25 Years

There will be a reception to celebrate McGathy's retirement from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, March 29, in the downstairs breakroom at Uptown East.

News Daily