Princeton, NJ — The 2012 Skillman Award was presented to Benjamin Fischer of Rochester.
Presented annually since 1983, the Skillman Award is given to a senior men’s squash player who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship during his entire college career. Candidates are evaluated for their on-court poise and demeanor; skill level and ability in the game of squash; team play; contributions to intercollegiate squash; leadership; and cooperation with players, coaches, and tournament officials.
The award is named for former Yale head coach John Skillman, who led the Bulldogs for over forty years. Skillman was inducted into the Men’s College Squash Hall of Fame in 1990. This year’s award was presented in Princeton, NJ, at the awards ceremony during the 2012 Men’s National Team Championships.
During his four years at Rochester, Fischer compiled an impressive squash resume. A four-time All-American, he amassed a 42-24 career record, never playing below #3 for the Yellowjackets, who finished fifth in the nation this season. Fischer was named the 2010 Liberty League Player of the Year and earned All-Liberty League honors in 2009, 2010, and 2011. This year he earned Academic All-Liberty League honors.
He reached the semifinals of the 2011 Individual Championships, and capped his college career by winning the A Division Second Consolation bracket at this year’s individual tournament.
An outstanding team leader, Fischer led the Yellowjackets as captain for two seasons. His three-game win over Kenneth Chan on the final day of the 2012 Men’s National Team Championships helped Rochester defeat Yale 5-4 and finish the season ranked fifth in the nation.
Rochester head coach Martin Heath has said that Fischer “has been a model of consistency, fairness, and commitment in his work ethic, behavior on court, and demeanor off court. He has accepted his wins and his losses with equal grace and has assumed his leadership responsibilities within the team with quiet assuredness and good humor.”
Other coaches and players recognized the same outstanding qualities in Fischer, honoring him with the 2012 Skillman Award. He is the first Rochester player to ever earn the distinction.
