WPH Press
Boak Ferris is one of the most sought-after coaches in handball and beyond, combining an eye for technique, strategy, and complex thinking to dramatically help players of all levels fulfill their potential. Just as fit in his mid 60’s and he was in his 20’s, Boak is an inspiration to all athletes seeking to maintain their strength and desire to compete, while enjoying a healthy lifestyle into their golden years. Boak has authored numerous WPH Coaching Centers, discussing topics ranging from Diet to “How to See a Fast-Ball.” Read Boak’s Coaching Centers HERE. After years of studying and training in Boxing, Aikido, Track, Jazz-Ballet, Tennis, Golf, Soccer, and Swimming, Boak found Four-Wall Handball in 1983 and never looked back.
Now Boak will tackle the WPH Rapid Fire Challenge!
Boak Ferris WPH Rapid Fire Challenge
1. Best city to play (or county in IRE): Minneapolis
2. Who is your toughest opponent: David Steinberg
3. Fastest person in handball: Now: Killian Carroll/Recently: Vince Munoz/In the 90’s: Rod Prince
4. Who is the hardest hitter in handball: Brady, consistently/M. Mulkerrins, next.
5. Best server in handball: Paul Brady
6. Best off-hand in handball: Paul Brady
7. Handball heroine/hero: Catriona Casey/Eoin Kennedy
8. Favorite court: Venice Outdoor
9. Player with the best offense: Sean Lenning
10. Player with the best defense: Vic Perez
11. Most satisfying tournament victory: Defeating reigning Nationals & World Champs Reeve and Curry at a USHA Nationals Doubles: 11/11. (Overlooked by writers in the then-HB media.) My partner was 20 years older than the rest of us.
12. Most disappointing loss: Rick Hatcher Match 2 @ 50’s Nat’ls. (Played him twice over the years.)
13. Most important title to win: 45 Doubles at Simple Green?
14. Favorite doubles partner: Curtis Irwin
15. Longest match you ever played: 3.75 hours
16. Favorite sport besides handball: Tennis
17. Favorite tournament (ever): Simple Green
18. Best match you’ve ever played: Doug Glatt in Singles in Witnessed League Play, when Doug was at his height.
19. Best match you’ve ever watched: Vince Munoz vs Naty Alvarado, Jr. at the Nationals Quarters (Yr./Round?) but definitely at Los Cabs. Dazzling! Between-the-legs gets, shots-from-the-floor, horizontal flying, behind-the-back pass shots, all on a court reduced in size to a three-inch strip at the bottom of the front wall! They really knew each other’s games. Wish it was on vid.
20. Title you’d most like to win: 50’s National Singles
21. Favorite sport to play besides handball: Volleyball: Run, Jump, Spike: without an opponent underfoot.
22. Favorite athlete (any sport): Roger Federer
23. What is your favorite book: Doctor Faustus, very dark. A supernatural metaphor about Germany’s descent into causing WWII.
24. What is your favorite movie: Some Like it Hot, very bright.
25. What your favorite tv show: Big Bang Theory
26. Most important shot in handball: The One That Gives Me the Center Right Now
27. Your best shot: Low-Serve/Revolving Door, either corner: a tie.
28. Legend you’d most like to play in his prime: Jim Jacobs: Seeing his legendary game, hops, kills, power, and passes from inside the court with him.
29. Best Fans in Handball: The Irish
30. Greatest Legacy Competitor: David Chapman
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer