Cambridge, MA — Drexel University won the 2014 Men’s College Squash Association Barnaby Award.
First presented in 1983, the Barnaby Award recognizes the most improved team in men’s college squash. Coaches vote on the award at the Men’s National Team Championships. This year’s award was announced on the final day of the 2014 Men’s National Team Championships, which were hosted by Harvard University.
The award is named for Jack Barnaby, who coached the Harvard men for decades and later coached the Harvard women. Harvard struggled during the first few years of Barnaby’s tenure, but the Crimson ultimately became a national powerhouse under his leadership, winning national title after national title. By the time he retired from coaching the men’s team in 1976, Barnaby had compiled a 355-95 lifetime record. His team capped his final season with a national title, going undefeated.
In three seasons as a varsity team, Drexel has climbed the rankings. Last season, Drexel went 10-12 and finished 22nd in the nation. The Dragons completed that season with a 6th place finish in Summers Cup (C Division) of the 2013 National Team Championships. This season, Drexel opened the year ranked 21st in the preseason rankings. They gradually moved up the rankings thanks to victories over Williams, Brown, and Middlebury. The Dragons entered the post season with a ranking of 14th. In the 2014 National Team Championships, the Hoehn Cup (B Division) was incredibly competitive. The Dragons lost tight matches to Williams and Navy to finish the season ranked 16th.
Drexel is led by head coach John White. Justin Singh and Ben Bevan were the 2013-2014 co-captains.
This is the first time in program history that Drexel has won the Barnaby Award.
