Foo Yuk Han, Lentz Earn Top Senior Honors; Lawrence honored for lifetime achievement; Assaiante, Slosburg join Hall of Fame
The College Squash Association (CSA) announced the winners of the top senior honors, the Betty Richey and Skillman Awards, and paid tribute to a new Hall of Fame class as well as the Arthur Blasberg, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award honoree during the livestreamed College Squash Awards on Thursday evening.
Zoe Foo Yuk Han of George Washington University and Jack Lentz from the United States Naval Academy earned the Betty Richey and Skillman Awards, respectively. Both awards are decided by a vote from the coaches of the varsity teams, and they recognize the players’ commitment to sportsmanship while maintaining a high level of play and devotion to the game.
Foo Yuk Han, the first three-time CSA All-American in George Washington’s program’s history, is widely recognized as a fair player and quiet leader of her team. She has also contributed greatly to the GW campus community as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and an organizer of a recreational squash tournament on campus.
“I’m so proud of Zoe for winning the 2021 Betty Richey Award,” said George Washington head coach Anderson Good. “Her selfless attitude and relentless leadership, work ethic, sportsmanship, and commitment to her teammates for the past four years makes her so incredibly deserving of this recognition. She has worked so hard to put herself in this position today and I am just so incredibly proud of her for earning this award.”
The 2021 Betty Richey Award is presented by the Aziz Family, who are avid supporters of college squash and Yale Squash. Daughter Alia Aziz, the 2010 Betty Richey Award winner and Yale graduate, joined the live stream to share about her experience and to help present this year’s honor.
Lentz, a player at the top of the lineup for the Midshipmen these last four years, is widely respected around the CSA for his fairness, determination, and leadership. As a senior caption this past year during the pandemic, Lentz has found new ways to engage his teammates, both on and off the court, skills that will translate well as he enters the Marine Corps after graduation.
“I’m so proud of Jack and humbled to have had the opportunity to work with him for the past three years,” said Navy head coach Tyler Osborne. “Jack has really left this program in a better place. I think the relationships you can build with teammates are some of the best parts of being a varsity athlete, and Jack has made an impact with every single player that’s come through Navy in his four-year span.”
“His work ethic is contagious, but I’m more impressed by how he carries himself as a person. He leads by example, and he makes his teammates’ needs a priority. I have no doubt that Jack’s personality and leadership will help him be successful, and I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes down the road. Congratulations Skip!”
The Skillman Award is presented by the Schiller Family Foundation for the second straight year. The Foundation presents the award in honor of Dr. Sheldon Schiller, an ardent squash player who holds the values of sportsmanship and integrity in high regard.
The College Squash Awards show kicked off with an inspiring welcome message from ESPN and ABC personality Joe Tessitore. He highlighted the potential that exists in college squash story-telling and messaging and shared his enthusiasm for helping the college squash community spread the word.
CSA Board of Directors Chair John Nimick then joined the show to help welcome the Class of 2021 to the College Squash Hall of Fame. The audience and honorees enjoyed videos paying tribute to Paul Assaiante and David Slosburg’s accomplishments and contributions to college squash. Nimick then reminded everyone that we will enjoy the opportunity to celebrate them in person when feasible at a later date.
Nimick remained on screen to congratulate and interview the 2021 Arthur Blasberg, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Wendy Lawrence. Nimick and Lawrence were also joined by Jack Blasberg, a Brown squash player from the Class of 2016 and grandson of the award’s namesake, who represented the Blasberg family.
Due to the unprecedented nature of this season, the CSA celebrated these honors and award winners in a virtual, livestreamed format for the first time. For more information about this year’s honorees, please view the press release previewing the event.
CSA Executive Director & League Commissioner David Poolman served as master of ceremonies for the evening.
For college squash fans and supporters who would like to stay engaged with college squash, please consider joining the CSA mailing list and the CSA Alumni & Friends Network LinkedIn group.
CSA must continue to raise revenue in order to maintain operations, effectively tell its story, and expand its resources and programming in areas like mental health awareness, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and awards recognition. If supporters feel so inclined, they can donate directly to CSA via this giving link or contact CSA at admin@csasquash.com to inquire about other options of support.
