(Editor note: this was a post I published straight to the “Keep Racquetball Great” Facebook group on 9/25/19, in response to a groundswell of discussion related to his re-nomination to the USAR hall of fame. I’ll back-date it and copy/paste the content from that time).
I’m a bit late to the Gregg Peck for the Hall of Fame conversations from a couple weeks ago, but wanted to put up some stats to help spread awareness. Here’s a quick summary of Gregg’s rball career in support of his nomination:
Junior Career Accomplishments:
- Multiple USRA State and Regional Championships
- Multiple IRA state and Regional Championships
- 1980 USRA Junior National champion (17U)
- Won title as a 16yr old, defeating Brett Harnett in final
Professional Career Accomplishments:
- 20th all-time in professional Tournament Wins
- 18th all-time in career W/L Percentage, all rounds
- Held career winning Head-to-Head records against Hall of Fame pro players Ed Andrews, Ruben Gonzalez, Brian Hawkes, Mike Ray and Davey Bledsoe.
- Retired with multiple victories over 5-time pro tour champ Yellen and Hogan.
- Youngest pro player ever to make a Semi-final (oct 1980 Coors Grand Prix I)
- 1981 NRC Rookie of the year
- 1983 International Racquetball Most Improved Player
- 1985 DP Nationals Champion (defeated Mike Yellen in the final).
- 1985 Pro Male Athlete Player of the Year
- Finalist, 1985 Ektelon Nationals (losing to Cliff Swain in a nationally televised match)
- Semifinalist, 1983 DP Leach Nationals
- Semifinalist, 1983 Catalina Pro Nationals
Amateur/Age Career Accomplishments:
- 1981 USRA National Singles Men’s Open finalist (losing to Ed Andrews)
- 1996 USRA 30+ Men’s Doubles champion (with Brett Harnett)
- 1997 USRA 30+ Men’s Singles champion
- 1997 USRA 30+ Men’s Doubles champion (with Brett Harnett)
- 2002 USRA 25+ Men’s Doubles champion (with Mike Guidry)
- 2003 USRA 35+ Mixed Doubles champion (with ?)
- 2004 USRA 25+ Men’s Doubles champion (with Mike Guidry)
Coaching and Mentoring Accomplishments:
- Peck Racquetball Camp Instructor, 1978-1986
- 14 Junior National titles won by participants in El Paso Junior program
- Coached future pro tour champs Swain, Monchik and Huczek.
- Head Coach, US Junior National Team, 1999-2000.
- 2-time Gold winning Junior national team coach
- USA won 24 junior world titles under his guidance
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Peck’s contributions to the sport span many facets; he was an accomplished player at the Junior, Professional and Adult/Age level. He was an accomplished coach/mentor who served the USRA national team. He’s well liked and well advocated for in the racquetball community. He is a worthy candidate for the Hall of Fame.