Norm's Notes for August 2024
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Norm Cates
■Hello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Founder and Tribal Leader Since 1993 checking in with our 368th monthly edition of this 31+ year running club business publication I refer to as: A Labor of Love! I'm very thankful that you've tuned in again for this iteration of Norm's Notes, as I proceed on my keyboard with my longtime habit of "Telling-It-Like-It-Is!" I'm really happy that you're reading this edition, and I want to THANK YOU ALL for sticking with us every month! As usual, we have a bunch of health and fitness club business news, so please read on!
■Is AMERICA a GREAT COUNTRY, or WHAT!? Hmm... hmm... hmm! And, as usual, let me start these Norm's Notes with my normal monthly salutation to you all: GOD BLESS AMERICA and GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY and YOUR BUSINESS!!!
■This is one of my favorite Notes to write each year: COLLEGE FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE!!! GO N.C. State Wolfpack and Georgia Bulldogs!!!
■Thanks to my friend, MIKE MANNING, as he told me that our friend, BILL HUBNER, celebrated his 90th Birthday on July 25th. Mike says Bill told him that his 90th Birthday was a fantastic day, and he spent it with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At this point, the best I can do is wish our friend, Bill Hubner, a belated "HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY BILL!" I also want to say "THANKS MIKE" for sharing this special news about Bill's 90th Birthday with all of us!
■Our friends and Club Insider Advertisers, Crunch, has wrapped up their Annual Franchise Convention, sharing continued plans for expansion and honoring many in their system. They also announced the promotion of MOLLY LONG to Chief Operating Officer. She was formally Chief Experiencer Officer. Check out the Crunch Ad and Press Release on Pages #2 and 3.
■In preparation for sale, Blink Fitness has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Check out the Press Release on Page #3, and STAY TUNED!
■This news from Atlanta's Journal Constitution newspaper on this Thursday, August 15: The world's largest racquet sports facility will be built in Raleigh, North Carolina. By the way, Raleigh is the home of my Alma Mater, N.C. State University! The Team developing and building this facility announced that it will be named Swing Racquet + Paddle, having broken ground on the massive 44-acre sports and entertainment complex with over 70 sports courts. The $125 million project is expected to open in 2026. Located in Raleigh's Briar Creek community, the complex will be home to 28 tennis courts, 25 pickleball courts, 15 padel courts, four beach tennis and beach volleyball courts and a ping-pong lounge, with a health care partner on site. The Raleigh News and Observer newspaper reported that the city had agreed to lease the property to Swing in 2018 and approved a $10 million grant for the project earlier this year. ROB AUTRY, Founder and CEO of Swing Racquet + Paddle, has a goal that this flagship facility, which he says will have a 5,000-seat stadium, will host several tournaments and events every year. Credit to The Raleigh News and Observer for sharing this information. STAY TUNED!
■Pickleball Kingdom continues expansion in Tennessee and in Alabama, with new clubs coming to Chattanooga and Memphis (Tennessee) and Huntsville (Alabama). The Huntsville location will be led by franchisees BAPPA MUKHERJI, ANJALI MUKHERJI DORIA and JAKE DORIA, who are passionate about creating community and growing the sport of pickleball. "We're thrilled to bring Pickleball Kingdom to Alabama. This new location is another testament of our commitment to making pickleball accessible and enjoyable for everyone," said ACE RODRIGUES, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. "Bappa, Anjali and Jake are devoted to pickleball, and their leadership will ensure that this new location becomes a go-to destination for players of all skill levels. STAY TUNED!
■This news from AUDREY LEE: Former Cleveland Browns' Wide Receiver Intervenes in YMCA Locker Room Attack. MALIK ALI SMITH has been charged with assault with intent to murder after attacking a fellow patron in a Farmington Hills, Michigan YMCA locker room.
Smith allegedly attacked an elderly man after the two got into a disagreement over the volume of the music. Smith pushed the elderly man, who ultimately fell on the floor. A good Samaritan stepped in before Smith could do any more damage. Smith fled the YMCA and was later caught.
That good Samaritan was none other than BRAYLON EDWARDS, former Cleveland Browns wide receiver and Michigan Wolverine's alum.
"The noise escalates, and then you can hear some pushing and shoving. You know what fighting sounds like, but once I heard a thud, that's when I got up and turned around," said Edwards.
Medical staff at the hospital reported that the elderly man was in critical condition. They said that, if Edwards had not stepped in, he may have died from the attack.
"I see the guy reaching for what I was thinking was a phone underneath the victim, but he grabs the back of the victim's head by the hair, and he was about to slam it down on the counter," Edwards said.
Smith has been held on a $250,000 bond since March. He now faces life in prison if convicted of his crimes.
"This was a vicious, senseless attack," Oakland County Prosecutor, Karen McDonald, told Fox 2 Detroit. "I commend the witness who intervened, and we will seek justice for this victim." Good On Ya Braylon Edwards!
■Young HAMPTON MORRIS has a story that's really hard to believe. Morris is a 20-year-old from Marietta, Georgia, my hometown. Pope High School graduate, Hampton Morris, became the first U.S. men's weightlifter to take home a medal at the Olympic Games in four decades! Morris won bronze in the men's 61-kilogram division. Morris was in fifth place in the weightlifting competition after his snatch lift. But, he jumped into the medal position thanks to his second lift of the competition, the clean and jerk, where he's the reigning world record holder in his weight class. Between the two lifts, Morris, who weighs just 135 pounds, hoisted a combined weight of 298 kilograms which is 657 POUNDS! Morris dropped to third place after failing on a world-record attempt on the clean and jerk on his final lift. CONGRATULATIONS to our hometown boy, Hampton Morris! WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU! When Hampton Morris stood upon the Olympic weightlifting podium in Paris Thursday to accept a bronze medal, he was making a piece of history.
■JUSTIN and I want to THANK YOU for reading Club Insider! We appreciate you being with us. And, in particular, WE VERY SINCERELY APPRECIATE ANY and ALL SUPPORT OF OUR ESTEEMED Club Insider ADVERTISERS! PLEASE DO BUSINESS WITH THEM and WHEN YOU DO, PLEASE TELL 'EM Club Insider SENT YOU! THANK YOU ALL!
■God bless our troops, airmen and sailors worldwide and keep them safe. Thank you, Congratulations and Welcome Home to all of our troops who have served around the world. God bless America's Policemen and women and Firemen and women; keep them safe. Finally, God bless you, your family, your club(s) and your members. God Bless America! Laus Deo!
