News story

SSWC's Hennessy Elected National Summit Chairman

March 1, 2001 – Jack Sirard contributing writer

LAS VEGAS ˆ Terry Hennessy, executive director of Senior Softball World Championships, has been elected chairman of the National Senior Softball Summit for 2001-2002 by the nine independent national softball associations.

Hennessy, also editor of Senior Softball News, was elected at the national meeting here in January.

He takes over for Ridge Hooks, who was chairman from 1999-2000. Hooks is president of SPA and was the first Summit chairman. Hooks will act as the vice-chairman in 2001.

"I am honored and look forward to working with all of the national softball associations to further the dream that Ridge Hooks started in 1999," Hennessy said. "That vision was to improve senior softball and maintain the integrity of the sport through communication and by setting - and reaching - common goals."

The Summit chairman sets the agenda and coordinates the Summit, which will be in Las Vegas again in January 2002. The nine National Softball Organizations sanction the sport and voluntarily attend the summit, which strives to keep communication open among the national organizations and implement common decisions for the good of the sport. The Summit began in 1999.

"We have already made history with the National Team Rating System and we look forward to continuing this work, with the help of the Men's and Women's National Advisory Boards, in the years to come," Hennessy added.

The nine National Summit organizations included ASA, the Huntsman Games, ISA, ISSA, NSA, SPA, SSWC, SSWS and USSSA. These organizations represent the 1.5 million men and women in America over 50 playing softball. SSWC is the largest senior softball organization

Hennessy, age 49, is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and a resident of Loomis, California. He is the author of three books: "Stress and Cancer," "A Practical Guide to Marketing for Small Businesses," and "The History of Pest Control." He is a former editor for The Sacramento Bee and currently serves on the Board of Editors of Progressive Grocer Magazine. He plays outfield and utility infield for the Sacramento Saints.