Maintain Your Integrity
A while back, there was a story about
Reuben Gonzolas, who was in the final match
of his first professional racquetball tourna-
ment. He was playing the perennial champi-
on for his first shot at a victory on the pro
circuit. At match point in the fifth and final
game, Gonzolas made a super "kill shot" into
the front corner to win the tournament. The
referee called it good, and one of the linemen
confirmed the shot was a winner.
But after a moment's hesitation, Gonzolas
turned and declared that his shot had
skipped into the wall, hitting the floor first.
As a result, the serve went to his opponent,
who went on to win the match.
Reuben Gonzolas walked off the court;
everyone was stunned. The next issue of a
leading racquetball magazine featured
Gonzolas on its cover. The lead editorial
searched and questioned for an explanation
for the first ever occurrence on the profes-
sional racquetball circuit. Who could ever
imagine it in any sport or endeavor? Here
was a player with everything officially in his
favor, with victory in his grasp, who disquali-
fies himself at match point and loses.
When asked why he did it, Gonzolas
replied, "It was the only thing I could do to
maintain my integrity."
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