Bob Kass
Central YMCA, San Jose
Inducted as Contributor in 2026
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Bob Kass
Central YMCA, San Jose
Inducted as Contributor in 2026
Bob got his start as a Handball Contributor 40 years ago at the San Jose Y volunteering at the San Jose Labor Day Open Tournament. His many volunteer assignments over 20+ years of helping with the tourney included helping with the draw/start times, trophies, shirts, check-in, floor manager, Gatorade-maker, donuts, sandwiches, cooking, cleaning and negotiating with the Y.
Bob was on the YMCA Courts committee for many years during the 80s and 90s, through most of the Racquetball/Handball wars. The Courts Committee was responsible for managing handball, racquetball, and open challenge times on the courts along with developing court rules and mediating between the handball and racquetball communities.
Bob was on the NCHA Board for 4-5 years in the early 2000s, and during that time, along with Gary Cruz (USHA/SoCal) and Tom Sove, helped organize an annual California Juniors/Collegiate tournament. The California State Juniors ran for a number of years with tournaments held in Fountain Valley, Modesto and San Mateo.
Bob has been the Secretary/Treasurer for the San Jose Handball Club (SJHC)for the past 15 years. In this role he prepares agendas, coordinates meetings, receives donations, sends out fundraising emails, and works with the club members to evaluate and recommend funding for local youth programs, players and tournaments. He is also the keeper of the all-important SJHC checking account.
Bobs greatest contribution to NorCal handball (other than coaching his son Sam, a top Open player in Norcal)) was his role in the construction of the City of Campbells 3 wall and 1 wall courts, and the running of tournaments at these courts for many years. As the City of Campbells Public Works Director, he coordinated the construction of the courts as part of a larger Community Center Master Plan project. The Campbell courts, completed in 2006, are the home courts of some of the top 3-wallers in the country, as well as a premier venue for big ball and small ball 1 and 3 wall tournaments throughout the year. Pro's such as Sean Lenning and Emmett Peixoto have played at this venue. Bob was the tournament director for many of the early Campbell tournaments for nearly 10 years. Bob remains the liaison to the City of Campbell for permitting and court maintenance issues.
Bob Kass, Welcome to the NorCal Hall-of-Fame!