Less than one year ago, Chatham University Athletic Director Leonard Trevino announced that the school would be adding men’s and women’s squash teams to their profile of varsity sports programs. Now, with the 2018-2019 squash season approaching quickly, one part of that plan is coming to fruition.
At the end of October, Chatham kicks off their inaugural season with matches against club teams from Johns Hopkins and Swarthmore in Baltimore, Maryland. Newly appointed head coach, Larissa Stephenson, is very excited for what lies ahead. “Chatham Squash looks forward to its inaugural season and being the first varsity squash team from Pittsburgh, PA. We are focused on building a strong foundation for the future.”
Part of that future will be the first crop of players, including Chatham’s first top recruit, Vinicius Muniz. Stephenson will look to continue building her roster with a mix of recruits and new players with the final goal for the year being to compete as a team at the CSA Men’s National Championships, Feb. 15-17, 2019 in Connecticut.
In Stephenson, Chatham has a leader with an impressive level of experience as a player and teacher. She was a three-time All-America selection at Trinity College and played on the PSA Tour for almost ten years. After working with Mission Squash in Houston, Texas from 2012 to 2013, Stephenson and Chatham are eager to partner with the urban squash education program Steel City Squash in Pittsburgh.
Chatham University is the fourth NCAA institution to add a varsity squash program in the last four years, joining Dickinson College, University of Virginia, and Bard College. Chatham’s varsity women’s program is scheduled to play its inaugural season next year in the 2019-2020 season.
2018-2019 SEASON PREVIEW – First Season as a Varsity Program
Head Coach: Larissa Stephenson
Returning Players from Team Championships: N/A
Graduated/Non-Returning Players from Team Championships: N/A
Additions to 2018-2019 Roster:
- Harry Aung
- Drew Brannon
- Jeffrey Duclos
- Mark Fobes
- Vinicius Muniz
- Zane Porterfield
- Colton Sammons
- Ariel Zulfliki
Team Goal: To build a strong foundation for the future.
Key Matches: Johns Hopkins, Swarthmore, Denison, Ohio State, Bard
To read season previews for other CSA teams, please visit the 2018-2019 College Squash Season Previews page.
