[Philadelphia, July 24, 2024] – The College Squash Association, the governing body of intercollegiate squash, is pleased to announce the election of a new Board Chair and a new board member. Will Carlin has been appointed as the new Board Chair and Katherine O’Donnell Lynch has been elected to the board. Each will be pivotal in driving the organization’s strategic initiatives and fostering continued growth. 

In their new roles, Carlin will lead the organization’s 11-person Board of Directors, and Lynch joins as a Class 3 Manager. Both bring extensive experience and passion for college squash, and their strategic vision and ability to drive operational excellence will be instrumental in guiding the CSA toward continued success and expansion. 

Carlin takes over from Margaret Gerety, who served as the Board Chair this past year. The CSA expresses its deepest gratitude for her leadership and contributions during her tenure. Margaret has been an invaluable asset to the CSA since she joined the Board in 2019. A few highlights during her tenure include successfully negotiating a new organizational structure with US Squash, recruiting growth-oriented individuals to both the Board and committees, cultivating a culture of giving, and leading the search for a new commissioner. 

Carlin expressed both thanks and excitement about his new role. “I am honored to be third CSA Chair following the incredible leadership of John Nimick and Margaret Gerety. The eleven current board members are all amazingly committed to our wonderful game and the importance of intercollegiate squash. I am thankful to be part of the College Squash Association team and look forward to contributing to the organization’s growth and success,” he stated. “I am confident that together, we will achieve remarkable milestones and create new opportunities in the industry.” 

Carlin and Lynch are joined by the re-elections of John Nimick, whose ongoing dedication and expertise continue to be invaluable, and coaches Mark Allen and Mike MacDonald, who have excelled in ensuring that the insights and perspectives of active coaches are well-represented in the CSA’s decisions. 

The association is confident that the leadership and experience of the newly elected and re-elected board members will further strengthen its efforts to elevate the sport of squash in the collegiate arena. 

Will Carlin 

Will Carlin, perhaps best known as the back-page columnist for Squash Magazine and the host of several professional squash tournaments, including the Tournament of Champions in New York, has had a long squash career. Carlin went to Yale, where he played number one and was Captain his senior year. During his collegiate squash career, Will earned first-team All-America and All-Ivy honors. He was the 1989 National Softball Champion and the US #1 player in 1990 and 1995. During this time, Carlin became one of the first US men to play the PSA tour full-time, which he did for three years, achieving one of the highest-ever PSA rankings by a US man (#51).

Carlin was elected as squash’s first athlete representative to the US Olympic Committee, where he served on the Board and the Executive Committee. He is the only non-Olympian ever to serve as one of two athlete representatives on its Executive Committee, and one of only two squash players worldwide ever to serve on its country’s Olympic EC. Carlin served for 14 years on the US Squash Executive Committee, where he won the Stewart Brauns Award for service to US Squash.  

Carlin is co-founder and CEO of Speakable, a consulting firm that helps organizations with high-stakes presentations. Prior to that, Carlin was managing partner of three different marketing agencies, including OgilvyInteractive North America and the New York office of marchFIRST, a $200-million, 500-person operation.   

Katherine O’Donnell Lynch 

Katherine O’Donnell Lynch started her career as an officer in the US Navy, driving $1B Destroyers. She then pivoted to building and scaling startups in the health, wellness and fintech space, beginning at Oscar Health where she led operations and brought the company public. She then co-founded Ness, the first of its kind credit card that rewarded consumers for taking healthy actions. Katherine has since been working as a consultant and advisor to many early and growth stage companies looking to build and scale their operations (examples include racquet sports, military focused credit cards, and an AI personal assistant). 

Katherine was co-captain of the 2010 national and Ivy League champion team at Harvard. Katherine lives in Short Hills, NJ with her husband Joe (also an avid squash player!) and 2 girls, Lucy and Margot. She plays at the Chatham Club and at the Harvard Club of NYC. 

For more information about the College Squash Association and its Board of Managers, please view the CSA Governance page. 

About the College Squash Association:
The College Squash Association (CSA) is the governing body overseeing men’s and women’s intercollegiate varsity squash in the United States. In May 2017, CSA formally organized as a nonprofit organization led by a founding board of directors. In December 2022, CSA became an independently-managed subsidiary of US Squash, a new corporate structure that formally affiliates squash’s national governing body and its collegiate governing body, creating a united pathway to sustained success for squash on campus and robust growth for squash overall. 

Philadelphia, PA – The College Squash Association (CSA) announces that Tita Hicks of St. Lawrence University has been named the 2024 Ann Wetzel Award recipient.

The Ann Wetzel Award is given to a senior women’s player who has shown the greatest level of improvement over their 4-year career. The candidate is evaluated on outstanding growth technically as a player, story of progression from limited experience to key contributor, a sound understanding of the rules of squash, and positive on-court poise and demeanor. 

Hicks joined the St. Lawrence women’s squash team as a freshman with prior experience from City Squash, an SEA program. Her drive and commitment to the sport helped her make significant improvement in her game. Unfortunately, Tita’s freshman year season was cancelled due to COVID, but that did not stop her in her journey to becoming a stronger squash player. Tita worked to earn her spot on the ladder and in the past two years has made the most improvement on her team being voted most improved, twice. She showed her greatest improvement in her last season of play when she reached No. 7 on the ladder.

Head Coach, David Morrish, praises Tita for her accomplishments stating that she “epitomizes what a program is about. She was not strong enough to be on the team when she first came, but did not let that deter her. When I first came, she was at the bottom of the roster, and regularly losing to all those above her. This past season she won challenge matches against two players above her and played as high a #7 on the roster. And she did all of this with a smile”.

Tita’s teammates cannot speak highly enough of her, “in the intense game of squash, Tita’s sportsmanship and class shines through the glass walls on court. She never misses to acknowledge an extraordinary shot by her opponent. A honest handshake at the end of her matches, regardless of the score. You will always hear Tita’s words of encouragement from outside the court. Her enthusiasm never goes unnoticed as it boosts the team morale, a true form of the spirit of teamwork. Her success is also reflected in her views of sportsmanship, as it lies not just in how you win, but in how you play the game” they share.

Hicks is the first ever Wetzel Award winner from St. Lawrence University.

The award is named for Ann Wetzel. The 1964 national champion, Wetzel founded the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s varsity team in 1970. During the more than 20 years she coached at the University of Pennsylvania, Wetzel taught hundreds of women the game of squash. Through her love of the sport and her passion for teaching, she gave many women the opportunity to experience the thrill of intercollegiate squash.

As we celebrate Tita, we also take a moment to honor the memory of Ann Wetzel who recently passed away. Wetzel’s legacy lives on through the countless players she inspired and the programs she helped establish. Her dedication to advancing women’s squash has left an indelible mark on the community.

The CSA congratulates Tita on her success and wishes her the best in her next chapter after graduating from St. Lawrence University.

Ann Wetzel, pioneering figure in women’s collegiate squash, passed away on May 15, 2024, at the age of ninety-two. Ann’s extraordinary contributions to the sport, both on and off the court, have left an enduring legacy within the College Squash Association (CSA) and the broader squash community.

Wetzel was born on July 18, 1931, in Pittsburgh and grew up in Philadelphia. She attended Haverford High School and then the University of Pennsylvania.

At Penn, she was a standout athlete, excelling in both squash and tennis – Wetzel was a key player on the 1951 undefeated squash team. During her sophomore year, Wetzel was the runner-up in the Middle States tournament and was the Philadelphia Squash Racquets Champion. During her junior year, she went on to win a National Squash Championship.

In her post college playing career, she quickly became one of the top players in the country, amassing several titles, including four Pennsylvania State titles, eight Philadelphia and District titles, and one Connecticut title. She went on to win the National Singles squash title in 1964 at the age of 32.

Ann’s impact extended far beyond her playing career. She was the first coach of the Penn Women’s Squash team, establishing a women’s club team in 1968, which formally transitioned to varsity status in 1974, marking the beginning of a new era for women’s collegiate squash. As the first Head Coach of Women’s Squash at Penn, Ann led the team with unmatched dedication for over twenty years, achieving a remarkable 154-116 record. Her guidance as a coach helped shape the careers of many notable players, including three-time National Singles Champion Alicia McConnell (1982-84), CSA First-Team All-American Karen Kelso (1984-85), along with 15 CSA Second-Team All-Americans, and 11 All-Ivy honorees.

While serving as Head Coach for the University of Pennsylvania women’s team, Ann notably co-founded the United States Women’s Intercollegiate Squash Racquets Association in 1973, which evolved into the Women’s College Squash Association (WCSA). Her visionary efforts were instrumental in the growth and sustainability of women’s collegiate squash, providing countless women with the opportunity to experience the sport at a competitive level.

Ann was inducted into the CSA Hall of Fame in 1995 and the CSA continues to honor her legacy through the Ann Wetzel Award, presented annually to a senior woman who has shown the greatest level of improvement over their four-year career. She was also inducted into the Penn Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998 and the US Squash Hall of Fame in 2003.

Ann Wetzel’s impact on the sport of squash was profound, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Ann Wetzel’s obituary can be found by clicking here.

University of Pennsylvania’s post about Ann’s passing can be found by clicking here.

Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Head Men’s and Women’s Squash Coach, Zafi Levy, has announced his retirement from Williams College after a distinguished 21-year tenure. Under his leadership, the men’s and women’s squash teams have consistently achieved top-level performance, securing a streak of winning seasons and numerous titles.

The College Squash Association recognizes Coach Levy’s substantial contributions to Williams College and to the College Squash community. His dedication has profoundly impacted the sport and he leaves a lasting legacy of excellence.

We invite you to read a personal letter from Coach Levy, where he shares reflections on his time at Williams, his gratitude towards the community, and his aspirations for the future. Join us in celebrating his remarkable career and extending best wishes for his upcoming endeavors.

Letter from Coach Zafi Levy:
Today I announce my retirement from coaching the Williams College men’s and women’s squash teams after an amazing twenty-one years. While the health concerns that led to my leave of absence for the last year are under control and I am well, my time away from Williams helped me not only regain my health but to conclude that it is time for me to move on to the next stage of my career. I am proud of what Williams squash has accomplished over these two-plus decades and perhaps even prouder that my successor will inherit a strong and vibrant program. 

It is important for me to publicly thank those who contributed to my success as a coach and my happiness as a member of the Williams community. None of this would have happened without the influence of the legendary Paul Assiante who first recruited me to Trinity College in 1997 and fulfilled my dream to study and play squash in the US, and, of course, Dave Johnson ‘71, who later recruited me to Williams in 1998. I am equally indebted to the man who brought me back to the Berkshires in 2003, Harry Sheehy, former Williams athletic director, who is still one of my closest friends; with more confidence in me than I had myself, Harry trusted me as a young coach to lead our squash program. Of course, my athletes and I could not have achieved what we have without the enthusiastic support of our current athletic director Lisa Melendy, a great leader of our department. My CSA colleagues, too, have been so important to me, including my late friends Dave Talbott and Bob Callahan, and John Illig, and those coaches who are still with us; Mark Lewis, Sean Wilkinson, Gail Ramsay, Peter Robson, John White, Jack Wyant, Gilly Lane. Finally, I must thank David Pearson, perhaps the most accomplished squash coach in the world, a great friend whose knowledgeable and thoughtful approach to coaching our game has been the most powerful influence on my own.  All are still great role models for me, good people who helped me develop personally and professionally into the person I am today.    

Of course, successful coaching at the collegiate level is a team effort, and I have been blessed with two of the best assistant coaches at any top squash program: Blair Dills and Tom Hodgson ‘74. Both Tom and Blair have worked tirelessly to coach and support our athletes, and they deserve much of the credit for the program’s success. Blair, who has been by my side for over fifteen years, coached hundreds of squash matches with me over the years, traveled countless weekends all over the country, and shared some incredible moments, all for the love of the game and passion for our teams. 

Athletics is more fun when you’re competitive, and it is of great satisfaction to me that our men and women have finished each of the last twenty-one seasons with a winning record, a streak matched by only a relative handful of College Squash Association programs. Within that context, I am so proud of the twenty-four consecutive Little III titles we claimed, beginning in 1999 when I was on the team as a junior. I am also proud of what my fellow coaches and I accomplished in the NESCAC over that time, including the establishment of the NESCAC squash championship fifteen years ago. 

Over the years I was fortunate to recruit, coach, and mentor hundreds of Williams squash players, some of whom number among my closest friends today. Indeed Williams squash would not have been so successful over the years without the outstanding character and talent of the students we recruited with the consistent support of the College’s Admissions Office. The most gratifying aspect of being their coach was the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of these fine young men and women during their time at Williams.

In my next chapter, I will focus mainly on developing the junior players, some of whom, I hope, will find their way to Williams. Along with my wife Dalit, I also look forward to supporting our older son, Eli, as he starts his journey at the Naval Academy and our younger son, Noah, as he enters his freshman year at Saint Paul’s School. 

 Go Ephs!

After an illustrious 40-year career guiding the Trinity College Women’s Squash team, Coach Wendy Bartlett has decided to retire. Her tenure has profoundly shaped the landscape of college squash and influenced countless student-athletes.

“Women’s collegiate squash would look vastly different if not for Wendy‘s leadership over the past 40 years. Since 1985, Wendy has served, almost without interruption, in a leadership capacity on the CSA (formerly the U.S. Women’s Intercollegiate Squash Racquets Association), including as its President, Executive Board Member, and Coach Director. Her fierce and unwavering advocacy for the student-athlete experience and for women’s collegiate athletics more broadly has been invaluable. We are deeply grateful for Wendy‘s dedicated service and the profound impact she has had on the sport we love” Margaret Gerety, CSA Board Chair, shares.

Wendy Bartlett’s journey into racquet sports began with tennis during her youth in Pittsburgh, where she developed a prowess that earned her a collegiate spot at Rollins College in Florida. However, it was the game of squash that ultimately captured her heart, introduced to her by her father—an avid squash enthusiast. This newfound passion took a significant turn when she moved to Connecticut in 1983. Upon attending a vibrant college squash tournament, Wendy experienced an epiphany about her future in coaching, leading her to take up the mantle at Trinity College in 1984.

Bartlett’s 40 years at the helm of the Bantams women’s squash program make her the longest-tenured coach of any sport in the history of Trinity College athletics. Under Bartlett’s leadership, the Trinity Women’s Squash program evolved into a national powerhouse, securing four Howe Cup national team championships in 2002, 2003, 2014, and 2024. Her teams consistently challenged for national titles, making twelve finals appearances over the decades. Bartlett also guided her team to 17 consecutive NESCAC Conference Championships. She was honored as the NESCAC Coach of the Year in 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, and 2022-2023.

Despite her incredible success as a coach, Bartlett reflects with a sense of fulfillment that her “proudest moments have taken place at every Trinity’s commencement ceremony which as a faculty member, I have marched in every year for the past 40 years. To see each player that is graduating, who came into Trinity as a girl, walk across the stage and graduate as a woman fills me with such gratitude. Knowing that being a part the squash program has played such an important role in all the player’s growth and development, has been my greatest achievement.”

Bartlett‘s profound influence on college squash was formally recognized in 2019 with her induction into the CSA Hall of Fame. This honor came as a testament to her enduring legacy, reflecting her commitment to excellence both as a coach and a mentor. She was an Executive Board member of the College Squash Association (CSA) from 2000 to 2018 and was elected to Coaches Advisory Committee on the College Squash Association Board (CSA) in 2019 to 2020.

Her final season in 2024 exemplified Bartlett’s resilience and commitment to her team. When asked what prompted her retirement, Bartlett comments, “I was thinking about retiring last season, so I could move onto the next chapter in my life, but after we lost such a close match in the National Championship finals, I knew that I had to stay another year and to accomplish our team goal of winning a fourth National Championship”.

Despite undergoing knee surgery following a narrowly lost Howe Cup final in 2023, Bartlett returned to coach the Trinity Bantams with renewed determination. The team achieved an undefeated record in regular season play. This momentum ultimately culminated in a triumphant victory at the Howe Cup, where they defeated Princeton in the final. This victory secured Wendy’s fourth Howe Cup Championship, marking a perfect conclusion to her illustrious coaching career.

The College Squash Association (CSA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Most Improved Team Awards for the recently completed season. Colby College earned the Barnaby Award for the most improved men’s team while Stanford University captured the Women’s Most Improved Team Award this season.

The Most Improved Team Awards recognize a team from each gender division that has improved the most since the end of the previous season in both its final team ranking and the quality of the opponents it has surpassed. Both awards are voted on by the CSA coaches who represent teams from that division. View the full criteria here: Barnaby Award and Most Improved Team Award.

Barnaby Award – Colby College

The men’s team from Colby College earned the Barnaby Award after considerable improvement throughout the season. Colby improved five ranking positions from last season, moving from No. 23 in 2022-2023 to a final ranking this season of No. 18.

This is the fourth time Colby has won the Barnaby Award (1989, 1995, 1998) and the first time under Chris Abplanalp.

Most Improved Team Award – Stanford University

The Stanford women’s team are named the Women’s Move Improved Team in 2024. The women found themselves back in the A Division after an appearance in the C Division (2022) and B Division (2023). After finishing 11th in the nation in 2022, they surged all the way into the Top 5, finishing the 2023-2024 season 6 spots higher ranked at 5.

This is the second time Stanford has won the Most Improved Team Award after receiving the title back in 2016.

The College Squash Association (CSA) has announced the Men’s and Women’s Scholar-Athlete honorees for the 2023-2024 season.

The Scholar-Athlete Award is granted to varsity juniors or seniors who have played on the team throughout their college career, earned at least two varsity letters, participated in the majority of the team’s matches in the top 10 of the lineup during the season, and achieved a high academic standing at their institution. For full criteria, please see here.

CSA Scholar-Athletes embody the values of the association – achieving a high level of play on court while excelling in the classroom. This year, Amherst College, Harvard University and Haverford College had the most CSA Scholar-Athletes with 9 total between the men and the women.

The CSA congratulates all of this year’s recipients!

2023-2024 Men’s CSA Scholar-Athletes:

2023-2024 Women’s CSA Scholar-Athletes:

For the 2023-2024 season, players from 11 different College Squash Association (CSA) member institutions make up the men’s and women’s All-American teams. Yale University  led the way in overall selections with seven players – four men and three women. Not far behind, Princeton University and Trinity College each had six of their own selections between the men and women.

The players earning All-American status have excelled on court throughout both the regular season and the championships. To view the CSA criteria for All-American status, please view it here.

Men’ All-Americans

First Team All-American
Veer Chotrani (Cornell University)
David Costales (Harvard University)
Karim Elbarbary (Princeton University)
Omar Hafez (University of Pennsylvania)
Salman Khalil (University of Pennsylvania)
Hollis Robertson (Princeton University)
Thomas Rosini (Princeton University)
Mohamed Sharaf (Trinity College)
Nicholas Spizzirri (University of Pennsylvania)
Siow Yee Xian (Yale University)

Second Team All-American
Nicholas Serna (Drexel University)
Joachim Chuah (Trinity College)
Aly Eltokhy (Trinity College)
Taha Dinana (University of Virginia)
Inwoo Lee (Colby College)
Arav Bhagwati (Yale University)
Syan Singh (Cornell University)
Abdelrahman Nassar (Trinity College)
Tad Carney (Yale University)
Max Forster (Yale University)

Women’s Team All-American

First Team All-American
Meagan Best (University of Virginia)
Simmi Chan (Columbia University)
Madison Ho (Stanford University)
Wen Li Lai (Cornell University)
Si Ma (Stanford University)
Saran Nghiem (Harvard University)
Margot Prow (Drexel University)
Elisabeth Ross (Yale University)
Jana Safy (Trinity College)
Marina Stefanoni (Harvard University)
Zeina Zein (Princeton University)

Second Team All-American
Sohaila Ismail (University of Pennsylvania)
Aishwarya Khubchandani (Cornell University)
Lujan Palacios (Trinity College)
Sneha Sivakumar (Yale University)
Lucie Stefanoni (Harvard University)
Lina Tammam (University of Virginia)
Liyen Teoh (Princeton University)
Emma Trauber (Princeton University)
Karina Tyma (Drexel University)
Gigi Yeung (Yale University)