For Zerline Goodman, squash has always been about more than competition. A three-time All-Ivy performer during the early 1980s and later a top-30 PSA player, Goodman’s journey through squash has been a bridge to family, a source of lifelong values, and a wellspring of gratitude that fuels her profound desire to repay a game that has enriched her life.
Goodman, Yale Class of 1984, began her collegiate squash career at Trinity College before transferring to Yale, where she played No. 1 for the Bulldogs throughout her sophomore, junior, and senior years. Her defining moment came during the 1982-83 season when she secured the deciding match in Yale’s dramatic 5-4 victory over Princeton, clinching Ivy League supremacy. Yet, beyond the accolades and victories, Goodman treasures the sense of purpose and focus the sport instilled in her—qualities that have guided her as a mother, a lawyer, and a committed advocate for squash.
Family has been a cornerstone of Goodman’s squash story. Her love for the game deepened during high school, partly influenced by the tragic loss of her close friend, Cynthia Stanton. This pivotal moment led Goodman to commit to squash fully, setting the stage for her lifelong involvement. She met her future husband, Michael Rothenberg, at the Park Place club in 1989 (they married a year later), and together, they shared a passion for the sport, competing in mixed doubles tournaments and supporting each other’s careers. Rothenberg served as MSRA President, while Goodman balanced her professional life as a real estate attorney with her burgeoning squash career, which included a silver medal at the 1993 Maccabiah Games and the US National 35-and-over title in 2000.
Their shared love for squash extended to their three children, Brice, Garon, and Zaya, who all played on college squash teams (Trinity, Bates, and Bates, respectively). Goodman’s most poignant family squash memory came in 2014 when Brice’s Trinity College team won the Howe Cup. The victory occurred on the second anniversary of Rothenberg’s untimely passing, and the team’s dedication of the championship to his memory was a profoundly moving gesture for Goodman. In gratitude, she created a commemorative poster for the team, underscoring her belief in squash’s power to foster community and connection.
Goodman’s commitment to “repaying the game” has manifested in numerous leadership roles. She served as President of the Skillman Associates (Friends of Yale Squash) for over a decade, chaired the CSA Board of Directors Adjudication Committee, and recently joined the US Squash Board, where she leads the Nominating and Governance Committee. Her dedication has extended to event organization; after recommending Grand Central Terminal to John Nimick as a potential new site for his Tournament of Champions, she directed ticketing for the WPSA Championships and the ToC during its early years in the new venue.
Throughout her career, Goodman has viewed her years playing squash as formative—not just in shaping her as an athlete but in cementing her connection to the sport’s broader community. Driven by a heartfelt appreciation for all squash has brought into her life, Zerline has long sought ways to give back instead of waiting to be asked. From mentoring younger players to supporting institutional growth, her contributions reflect her enduring belief in the value of squash as a force for good.
Zerline Goodman’s legacy is one of dedication, family, and gratitude. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of sport and the enduring bonds it can create—both on and off the court.
