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Jochen Krenz lives in Hamburg, Germany with his wife, Renate. His two
stepchildren, Claudia Dreischner and Matias Dreischner. played on the
German National Racquetball team in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.
He was an active member of the German Racquetball Federation for many
years; as a player, promoter and operator of events.
The IRF World Senior Doubles was held
at the Sports Department club in Hamburg June 6-9, 2007. About sixty
players representing nine countries participated. This was the first
IRF event in Hamburg since the World Championships in 1988, when over
thirty countries participated. I had the opportunity to attend both
of these IRF events; in 1988 I was part of the United States National
Team Coaching Staff. This year I played as a representative of the
U.S. in three doubles events. In 1988 I met Jochen on a whim! A club
employee made an announcement asking for an Herr Krenz to come to the
front. Since my wife’s maiden name is the same, I decided to walk to
the front desk. I summoned my wife, who was in attendance, to join me.
Almost 20 years later the following has occurred:
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Jochen and my wife, Jenni, have
confirmed that they are cousins. |
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His family visited the US and spent
time with us. |
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We have
visited Germany three times since 1988, each time staying in
their home. |
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Jochen stopped playing racquetball
well over 10 years ago to concentrate on golf. |
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He overcame a
life-threatening disease recently and lives an active lifestyle. |
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He and his wife travel frequently
around the world. |
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He is
President of the Board of Directors of the Hamburg Golf Club. |
Although Jochen
had not recently played racquetball, he was inducted into the German
Racquetball Federation Hall of Fame in 2006, appearing with Jorg
Ludwig and Mike Mesecke at the presentation.
He was pursuaded
to come ‘out of retirement’ during the WSD this year and play a
demonstration match with 83 year old Marga Luehring. He was so
nervous that he did not sleep during the previous two nights. Yet, he
showed up as if nothing phased him, dressed sharply with his
Ridgecraft racquet and his German Federation shirt. We gave him a new
bag to place his old shoes, blue racquetball and antiquated eyewear
inside.
In closing, Jochen
still maintains his membership to a Racquetball Club in Bad Tolz and
is eagerly anticipating entry into an upcoming German Federation
event.
Gary Mazaroff |
