The College Squash Association’s Hall of Fame is located at the University of Pennsylvania. The CSA is complementing the Hall of Fame plaques with brief online synopses of Hall of Fame players, coaches, and friends.
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- Player: Beekman Pool (1901 – 1994)
- Inducted: 1990, MCSA Hall of Fame
- School: Harvard, Class of 1932
- Individual Championship: 1932
After prepping at St. Paul’s, Beekman Pool attended Harvard. Pool was known as one of the hardest hitters in the history of collegiate squash. Initially, Pool struggled because he struck the ball so hard. Then Harvard coach Harry Cowles strung Pool’s racquet with cheap strings and he became unstoppable.
During his senior year, 1932, Pool defeated Princeton’s Donald Strachan (9-15, 15-11, 16-13, and 15-4) to capture the inaugural intercollegiate singles championship. Upon his victory, he was awarded the Pool Trophy, which was donated by his father, Eugene.
After Harvard, Pool attended Columbia Law School. From 1943 to 1945, he served in the Air Force. He concluded his service with the rank of captain and returned to practicing law. He was friends with Polar explorer Lincoln Ellsworth. The two travelled to the poles and in 2002, Pool published a biography of Ellsworth, “Polar Extremes.”
