With important work already underway, the College Squash Association (CSA) announces the establishment of its Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. The committee is comprised of 11 CSA coaches and the CSA Executive Director & League Commissioner.
While the core members of the committee are active coaches, the committee intends to engage regularly with the entire coaching community, student-athletes, athletics administrators, and experts in the field. The initial engagement effort includes a baseline survey of varsity coaches to gain an understanding of and data concerning diversity in college squash.
Understanding that meaningful work is currently in progress on campuses and conferences within the CSA membership, the Committee intends to complement those efforts with best practices and training seminars which will positively affect college squash. Helping CSA teams create safe, supportive, and inclusive environments in their programs is a top priority. Long term, the Committee strives to lead global change in diversity, equity, and inclusion across the entire squash community.
Information gathered from the Committee’s initial surveys and conversations will help guide the development of sustained, impactful programming and resources for CSA coaches and constituents. In line with the US Squash Community Initiative and in partnership with the Squash + Education Alliance, the Committee will support and encourage CSA teams who aim to increase access to squash for members of their local communities. The Committee will also recommend diverse representation in new roles on the CSA Board of Directors, CSA committees, and future CSA staff members.
“College squash has gradually grown in diversity and inclusivity, especially in recent years, but there is still an incredible amount of work to be done,” says CSA Executive Director and League Commissioner David Poolman. “This committee will play a vital role in galvanizing our membership around important diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that will benefit our entire sport.”
The members of the inaugural CSA Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee are:
Stuart George, Co-Chair, Amherst College Assistant Coach
Erin Robson, Co-Chair, Mount Holyoke College Head Coach
Busani Xaba, Co-Chair, Amherst College Head Coach
Niki Clement, Haverford College Head Coach
Pat Cosquer, Hobart and William Smith Colleges Head Coach
Chris Fernandez, Dickinson College Head Coach
Martin Heath, University of Rochester Head Coach
Lauren Johnston, Haverford College Assistant Coach
Lynn Leong, Yale University Associate Head Coach
Theo Woodward, Bowdoin College Head Coach
Joanne Schickerling, Coach Board Member, Columbia University Associate Head Coach
David Poolman (ex officio)
