Tournament Info

42nd Annual Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Bear Bash

2026 USHA Women's Classic

WPH R48/WR48 Pre-Qualifier

October 30–November 1, 2026
National Handball Center| St. Louis, Missouri

Welcome to the 42nd Annual Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Bear Bash! We are grateful to the St. Louis Hinder Club and National Handball Center for allowing us to host our annual tournament at their facility while our home courts are being renovated. The tournament is named in honor of longtime coach Dr. Thomas H. Burnett who founded and coached one of the most successful collegiate programs until his passing in 2021.

We are proud to partner with the World Players of Handball (WPH) to designate both the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions as WPH Prequalifiers, with each champion receiving a $300 stipend toward entry in a future WPH Pro Stop.

Women's Classic

Missouri State University has a long and proud tradition of women's handball and we are excited to host this tournament in conjunction with the 2026 USHA Women's Classic!

• Travel Stipends will be provided to anyone competing in either Women's Classic division as follows: $100 if traveling 1,000+miles, $75 if traveling 500-999 miles, $50 if traveling 250-499 miles.
• Minimum prize money for the Women's Classic Open/A will be as follows: 1st ($1,500), 2nd ($800), 3rd ($500), 4th ($250), 5th ($150), 6th ($100), 7th ($80), 8th ($60). Final prize money amounts may be greater pending the number of travel stipends. 
• All Women are guaranteed a minimum of three matches in the Women's Classic Division. We'll have an open division (Red 21), and B division (White 21).
  • Women will not be allowed to add a second singles division.

Halloween Festivities-Boo Bash and Wicked Women's Classic

We understand this event falls on Halloween weekend. Due to other tournaments and scheduling conflicts, this was the only available window but don't let this SPOOK you away from participating! We are looking to lean into the Halloween spirit with some creative touches. Ideas include a Costume Doubles Division where your game face might come with a mask, or a Costume "One Point Slam", inspired by the fan-favorite Australian Open format, where every point counts and there will be no resurrection from the dead.

 We'd love to add more phantom flair throughout the weekend, so if you have ideas to make the event even more wickedly fun, please share them with us! We'll do our best to bring them to life...no tricks, just treats and terrific handball.

Halloween for fun big ball costume activities will take place after 4 PM on Saturday. Signups will be taken at the check-in desk on Friday.

Player & Event Information

• Friday: Play will begin early afternoon on Friday. Especially for women's singles divisions with three guaranteed matches, being available to start earlier Friday will be helpful to ensure the tournament runs on a decent schedule. Please let us know if you cannot start as early as 1 PM Friday.

• Saturday: Lunch (sandwiches) and dinner (pizza) will be provided to participants. Halloween big ball activities starting at 4 PM.