Cambridge, MA — Harvard University senior Amanda Sobhy was named the winner of the 2015 Richey Award.
The Richey Award is given annually to the women’s college squash player who best exemplifies the ideals of squash in her love of and devotion to the game, her strong sense of fairness, and her excellence of play and leadership. Nominees for the award are evaluated based on their on-court poise and demeanor; skill level and ability; team play; contributions to intercollegiate squash; leadership; and cooperation with players, coaches, and tournament officials.
The award is named for former Vassar head coach Betty Richey, who was one of the founders of the women’s individual national tournament in 1965. A standout field hockey and lacrosse player, she launched varsity programs in women’s squash, men’s squash, field hockey, men’s tennis, and women’s tennis at Vassar. A proponent of women’s sports in general, Richey was inducted into the Women’s College Squash Hall of Fame in 1995.
Sobhy, an anthropology major, was presented with the Richey Award prior to the 2015 Women’s College Squash Association National Team Championship final. After receiving the award, she helped her squad win their third National Championship and Howe Cup in the past four seasons.
Individually, Sobhy went undefeated in collegiate play. Her four consecutive Ramsay Cups (individual titles) equals the record of Gail Ramsay (1977-1980), the namesake of the individual trophy. Sobhy concluded her collegiate career with a 62-0 record. She was named a First Team All-American in each of her collegiate campaigns.
In conference play, she helped Harvard to two Ivy League titles (2012 and 2014). She was recognized as the Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2012 and as the Player of the Year in each of her four seasons at Harvard. In addition, she was named to the All-Ivy League squad four times.
According to Mike Way, the Gregory Lee ’87 and Russell Ball ’88 Endowed Coach for Squash at Harvard University, Sobhy “has brought a new level of recognition to squash worldwide after becoming the first woman to be ranked in world’s top 10 while in college and the first American woman to reach number 8 in the world.”
Sobhy is the fourth Harvard player and the first since 1988 to win the Richey Award.
