GRANVILLE, Ohio — Denison University Athletics announced on Thursday that its men’s and women’s squash programs would be competing in their first season as varsity teams during the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year. The original plan for an inaugural season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The addition of Denison’s programs brings the number of CSA varsity teams to 34 on the men’s side and 32 on the women’s side for the new season. The squash teams are the 25th and 26th varsity teams for the Denison athletics department.

The Denison men and women will continue to be led by head coach Pamela Anckermann, who enters her fifth year in that position. Coach Anckermann has helped guide the teams through the transition from club programs to varsity and throughout the pandemic. She will be aiming to build off the teams’ success during the last full season in 2019-2020.

“We eagerly welcome Denison’s teams to our group of varsity programs,” said CSA Executive Director & League Commissioner David Poolman. “Denison Squash is a storied program with a great history, which also helps expand the geographic footprint of intercollegiate varsity squash in the United States. Today’s announcement is a welcome development after a tough year.”

Please view the full press release about the new varsity teams here.

The 2020-2021 Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Championships Presented by the Walter Family kick off today in Chicago, Illinois at the University Club. The College Squash Association (CSA) will be well-represented in the draws, with 24 total CSA alumni and current players participating in the event.

The World Championships brings together 128 of the world’s best players who compete for arguably the biggest prizes in squash. This is the second version of the event staged in Chicago.

14 women and 10 men connected with 10 different CSA member institutions will compete for their respective World Championship titles. Six of the eight Ivy League schools have representation along with players from Drexel University, University of Rochester, Trinity College, and University of Virginia. Harvard University leads the way with seven affiliated players.

The CSA-affiliated players populate all portions of the draws, and they even make up a few first-round match-ups. Headlining the group is men’s world Number 1 Ali Farag, a Harvard graduate, who happens to be facing University of Rochester grad and American hope Faraz Khan in the first round. U.S. women’s Number 1 Amanda Sobhy, also a Harvard alum, has the No. 5 seed in the tournament. Both match-ups will bring large appeal to the featured glass court this evening.

Taking advantage of extra training time during the pandemic, several current student-athletes enter the event in top form. Drexel’s Karina Tyma, Harvard’s Victor Crouin, and Virginia’s Aly Hussein all have won PSA titles in recent weeks, with Khan and Harvard’s Marina Stefanoni winning qualification play-in tournaments.

The full draws, playing schedule, and results can be accessed here. Live coverage of the entire tournament will be shown on SQUASHTV or, if you do not have a subscription, can be viewed on the PSA World Tour Facebook page.

CSA players to cheer for:
Farida Mohamed, Columbia University
Ramit Tandon, Columbia University
Aditya Jagtap, Cornell University
Danielle Letourneau, Cornell University
Sivasangari Subramaniam, Cornell University
Karina Tyma, Drexel University
Victor Crouin, Harvard University
Ali Farag, Harvard University
Haley Mendez, Harvard University
Hana Moataz, Harvard University
Amanda Sobhy, Harvard University
Sabrina Sobhy, Harvard University
Marina Stefanoni, Harvard University
Melissa Alves, University of Pennsylvania
Marie Stephan, University of Pennsylvania
Nicole Bunyan, Princeton University
Olivia Fiechter, Princeton University
Todd Harrity, Princeton University
Youssef Ibrahim, Princeton University
Faraz Khan, University of Rochester
Ryosei Kobayashi, University of Rochester
Vikram Malhotra, Trinity College
Aly Hussein, University of Virginia
Lucy Beecroft, Yale University

Stanford University announced on Tuesday that it would continue the 11 varsity sports, including women’s squash, that it had planned to cut at the end of the current academic year.

“The Stanford women’s varsity squash program has been a beacon for top squash players of all backgrounds for more than a decade, and college squash is fortunate that it will remain so,” said John Nimick, College Squash Association (CSA) Board Chair. “We are also excited for the Stanford players to now continue their careers at the varsity collegiate level – they deserve credit for banding together during this challenging year.”

A multi-faceted advocacy approach, including a public relations campaign, inspired grassroots fundraising, private negotiations, and newly filed lawsuits focused on breach of contract and Title IX concerns led to the Stanford administration reversing their decision from last summer.

“I am really happy for our players and their families, the Stanford Squash program, and squash in general,” said Stanford Head Squash Coach Mark Talbott. “We take great pride in being a flagship program for the CSA on the west coast. I am grateful to US Squash and Soo Venkatesan for the important role the organization played in supporting our goal of continuing at the varsity level.”

36 Sports Strong, an advocacy group supporting full reinstatement of the 11 teams comprised of Stanford athletics alumni, played an immense role in raising awareness for the cause and convincing the Stanford administration to reconsider the program cuts. 11United, the group that recently filed the lawsuits against Stanford, put extra pressure on Stanford with a thoughtful, coordinated effort.

“It was inspiring to witness unity across the teams. Many unsung heroes worked courageously to shape this outcome, including our resilient Stanford varsity female athletes,” remarked Soo Venkatesan, US Squash Board Chair. “US Squash is honored to support the reinstatement effort and to partner with CSA to strengthen collegiate playing opportunities across the country as a shared priority.”

Stanford’s reinstatement brings the total of CSA varsity women’s teams projected for the 2021-2022 season to 32, pairing up with 34 varsity men’s teams. Georgetown University will continue the transition of its women’s team from club to varsity status, while the Denison University men’s and women’s teams and the Chatham women’s team will play their first full seasons as varsity programs next year.

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.

The College Squash Association (CSA) proudly presents the College Squash Awards, a livestreamed event scheduled for Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern).

Interested viewers can watch the event on CSA’s YouTube and Facebook Live pages, which can be accessed using these links:

• YouTube
• Facebook Live

The College Squash Awards will feature interviews, guest presenters, and celebrations of 2021 honorees, including:

• An keynote welcome from ESPN commentator and squash parent, Joe Tessitore
• Tributes to the College Squash Hall of Fame Class of 2021, Paul Assaiante and David Slosburg
• An interview with Arthur Blasberg, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Wendy Lawrence
• Tributes for the finalists and announcements of the winners of the Betty Richey Award, presented by the Aziz Family, and the Skillman Award, presented by the Schiller Family Foundation
• And more!

Tune in to the first event of its kind for the college squash community! The CSA looks forward to your support this Thursday.

Paul Assaiante, the highly successful coach of Men’s Squash at Trinity College for the last 27 years, and David Slosburg, key supporter of University of Pennsylvania, intercollegiate squash, and US Squash, have been announced as the College Squash Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

CSA will pay tribute to Paul and David during the live streamed College Squash Awards show this Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. (Eastern). When circumstances allow in the near future, CSA will induct the Class of 2021 in person with the honorees and their friends and supporters celebrating together.

The College Squash Awards can be viewed on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the following links:

• YouTube Live
• Facebook Live

“Paul and David epitomize what it means to be a leader in the squash community, and their contributions to college squash have improved our sport in so many positive ways,” said CSA Executive Director & League Commissioner David Poolman. “We are so excited to welcome them into the College Squash Hall of Fame. While the pandemic prevents us from celebrating in person now, it just means that we will have multiple opportunities to honor their accomplishments and support. Congratulations Paul and David!”

Paul Assaiante
Assaiante’s coaching record at Trinity is the stuff of legends: 17 National Championship Potter Trophies, including 13 in a row, all coming in the last 22 years; 14 consecutive NESCAC Men’s Championships; a 438-16 overall record for Trinity squash, including the heralded 252-match winning streak from 1998 to 2012; and multiple Coach of the Year awards coupled with numerous All-Americans, All-Conference players, and CSA Scholar Athletes.

Almost as much as his on-court accolades, Assaiante’s off-court influence will be remembered and celebrated for the wide range of his contributions. His “coaching tree” extends throughout the whole squash ecosystem, including his own stints as the coach of Team USA squash. For many years prior to the CSA’s reorganization in 2017, Assaiante filled critical roles on the Men’s College Squash Association Executive Committee, including president. Assaiante’s family is a mainstay in the Trinity community, and he continues to lend his experienced perspective to boards and committees across campus.

David Slosburg

Slosburg, who will join the College Squash Hall of Fame in the Supporters & Friends category, has quietly, thoughtfully, and generously supported squash at his alma mater, University of Pennsylvania, across all of college squash, and nationally for over 20 years. As a member of the Penn Athletics Board of Advisors, Slosburg gave squash a voice where there had been none before. His advocacy and consistent contributions on that Board and Penn’s Squash Sports Board directly culminated in the opening of their world-class squash facility in 2019.

Time and again, Slosburg has applied his passion for the growth of squash in areas that will indirectly benefit college squash for many years. As a leading supporter of CitySquash and Squash & Education Alliance, Slosburg has ensured that squash can continue to reach into new communities. Additionally, at critical times during the development of the Arlen Specter US Squash Center project, Slosburg humbly and meaningfully offered ideas, connections, and philanthropy to the cause. Upon receiving the news of his induction into the College Squash Hall of Fame, Slosburg appropriately responded, “I’m just doing what I love. I didn’t think I would get an award for that.”

For more information about the College Squash Hall of Fame, please visit https://csasquash.com/about/hall-of-fame. If you would like to make a donation in honor of one of the inductees, please do so here.

#CSASkillsChallange
WEEK 4 (March 23-26)

Skills:
Side-to-Side Volleys – Count the number of consecutive Side-to-Side Volleys hit as follows in 60 seconds or less: strike the ball -> side wall -> strike to opposite side wall ->  repeat (without any bounces!). Each strike to side wall counts as 1.  Demonstration Video (side-to-side only)
TEAM FITNESS RELAY! – Create a team of 3 teammates. Each team member takes on 1 of 3 fitness tasks: Front-to-Back Sprints, Side-to-Side Shuffles, & Star Drill. 30 seconds for each task. Each racquet touch counts as 1. Highest cumulative score of racquet touches for the 3 tasks is the winning team. Does not have to be completed back-to-back-to-back. Demonstration videos shown below in challenge information for Weeks 1, 2, & 3.

SCORE SUBMISSION FORM
LEADERBOARDS

(This week’s demonstration video is courtesy of @serioussquash on Instagram. Thank you!)

Congratulations to the WEEK 3 winners!
Figure-8 Volleys: Katherine Glaser, Princeton University & Callan Hall, Columbia University
Star Drill: Sophie Barber, Bowdoin College/Olivia Robinson, Princeton University (tie) & Henry Somerby, Bowdoin College
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During the four full weeks of March (1st through the 26th), the College Squash Association (CSA) will host a weekly skills challenge for all eligible CSA players. Student-athletes will compete as individuals in various solo skill tasks and fitness tests. Leaderboards will track scores and standings throughout each week, and winners will be announced at the end of the weeks.

CSA players should read all of the rules carefully before they begin the challenges.
_______________________________________________________________________

Rules

• All eligible CSA players are invited to participate in the challenge.
• Each Monday morning during the first 4 weeks of March, CSA will announce at least 1 racquet skill task and 1 fitness test that will make up the challenge for that week.
  • You will have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible for the racquet skill task(s)
  • You will have 30-45 seconds to score as many points as possible for the fitness test
• Each task offers an individual competition for that week. You can participate in one task without competing in another.
• After you complete a task (or the set of tasks), enter your score using the online form that will be posted at the beginning of each week. All scores must be entered by 7:00 p.m. EST on the Friday of that week.
• CSA will post a leaderboard of the entered scores on each day during the week. The leaderboard will show separate men’s and women’s scores.
• Players can submit a score as many times as they want. Only the player’s highest score will be posted on the leaderboard.
• In order to win a challenge, you must provide video evidence of you accomplishing the task. Posting videos on social media and tagging teammates, competitors, and the CSA, along with #CSASkillsChallenge is acceptable and encouraged.
• The player with the highest score for each task at the end of each week will be declared the winner. The winner of each challenge will receive a prize (participants who win multiple challenges will only receive one (1) prize item).
• Ties will be broken by the number of scores submitted (i.e. formal attempts) by each of the leaders for all of the tasks during a week. The participant with the most formal attempts during a week will be declared the winner.
• Enjoy!

COVID-19 REMINDER: Please make sure that you are abiding by all federal, state, local, and institutional policies regarding the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. Participating in the CSA Weekly Skills Challenges is not an excuse to violate protocols and expected procedures.
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WEEK 3 (March 15-19)

Skills:
Figue-8 Volleys – Count the number of consecutive Figure-8 Volleys hit as follows in 60 seconds or less: strike the ball -> front wall -> side wall -> strike to opposite side front wall -> side wall -> repeat (without any bounces). Each strike to front wall/side wall counts as 1.  Demonstration Video
Star Drill – Count the number of racquet touches in 45 seconds using this sequence: Racquet in hand, start at the T -> go first to left back corner, touch corner, then back to the T. Repeat to the next location, going clockwise, as many as possible in the time limit. The six locations are: left back corner, left service line, left front corner, right front corner, right service line and right back corner. Racket must touch each corner or side wall location. Each racquet touch counts as 1.  Demonstration Video

SCORE SUBMISSION FORM
LEADERBOARDS

WEEK 2 (March 8-12)

Congratulations to the WEEK 2 winners!
Forehand Drives: Saachi Singh, Princeton University & Omar Ali, Dickinson College
Backhand Drives: Saachi Singh, Princeton University & Omar Ali, Dickinson College
Side-to-Side Shuffles: Annie Roach, Wesleyan University & Sean Choi, Wesleyan University

Skills:
Forehand Drives – Count the number of consecutive forehand drives hit as follows in 60 seconds or less: strike the ball -> front wall -> bounce -> back wall -> strike again (without a second bounce).  Demonstration Video
Backhand Drives – Count the number of consecutive backhand drives hit as follows in 60 seconds or less strike the ball -> front wall -> bounce -> back wall -> strike again (without a second bounce). Demonstration Video
Side-to-Side Shuffles – Count the number of racquet touches in 30 seconds using this sequence: Racquet in hand, start at the T -> shuffle to side wall -> racquet touches side wall -> shuffle to other side wall -> racquet touches -> repeat. No turning except on last step to touch side wall. Each racquet touch counts as 1 point.  Demonstration Video

SCORE SUBMISSION FORM
LEADERBOARDS

WEEK 1 (March 1-5)

Congratulations to the WEEK 1 winners!
Forehand Volleys: Lucy Stephenson, Princeton University & John Collins, Haverford College
Backhand Volleys: Lucy Stephenson, Princeton University & Callan Hall, Columbia University
Front-to-Back Sprints: Olivia Robinson, Princeton University & Sanjay Jeeva, Franklin & Marshall College/Omar Ali, Dickinson College (tie)

Skills:
Forehand Volleys – Count the number of consecutive forehand volleys hit from behind the mid-court line in 60 seconds or less.  Demonstration Video
Backhand Volleys – Count the number of consecutive backhand volleys hit from behind the mid-court line in 60 seconds or less.  Demonstration Video
Front-to-Back Sprints – Count the number of racquet touches in 45 seconds using this sequence: Racquet in hand, start at the back wall -> forward sprint, touch front wall with racquet -> backward sprint, touch back wall with racquet -> forward sprint again and repeat. Each racquet touch counts as 1 point.  Demonstration Video

SCORE SUBMISSION FORM
LEADERBOARDS

(All demonstration videos are courtesy of NY Squash and the NY Squash Solo Challenge. Thank you for their assistance and support!)

The College Squash Association (CSA) is pleased to announce that Wendy Lawrence, former head coach of the George Washington University Men’s and Women’s Squash Teams and former president of the Women’s College Squash Association, is the recipient of the 2021 Arthur Blasberg, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award.

CSA will pay tribute to Lawrence live during the virtual College Squash Awards Show on March 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Lawrence will join the broadcast to talk about the award and her career.

Prior to her retirement in 2019, Lawrence was a George Washington head coach for 12 years, leading the men’s team starting in 2007 and taking over the women’s program in 2010. During her tenure, Lawrence built both programs into perennial top-10 contenders with the women finishing as high as 7th (2015) and the men’s team placing 9th twice as Hoehn Cup Champions in her final two seasons.

Lawrence also played a critical role in college squash governance for many years. She joined the Women’s College Squash Association as Tournament Chair in 2011 before transitioning to the role of President from 2013 to 2017. In that position, Lawrence’s leadership helped transition the separate women’s and men’s associations into a single Intercollegiate Squash Association in the spring of 2017. She sat on the inaugural independent Board of Directors as a coach director and the Women’s Advisory Subcommittee Chair for the first two years of the newly structured organization, contributing vital guidance and insights to the independent directors and new Executive Director.

“Wendy’s experience and leadership was absolutely crucial to the formation of this newest iteration of the CSA,” says Executive Director & League Commissioner David Poolman. “Wendy’s resume is full of examples of her breaking barriers and leading the way into challenging or uncertain circumstances, and the squash community, particularly college squash, is much better off due to many of her efforts.”

From being one of the first females to earn the head squash professional role at a major racquet club, to being only the second female to lead a men’s college squash team, Lawrence has been a pioneer and role model for women’s players and coaches in the United States. It further enhances her achievements that she has been successful at every level of the game: recreational (Uptown Racquet Club, Washington Sports Clubs, Results Gym), scholastic (Capitol Hill Day School, The Potomac School), professional (ranked as high as 12th nationally), and intercollegiate.

CSA is not the first organization to recognize Lawrence for her success, sportsmanship, and impact on the squash community. US Squash has awarded Lawrence both the Wedgewood Trophy, for contributions to squash, and the Feron Cup, for sportsmanship. She also received the National Capitol Squash Racquets Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In addition, during her final season at George Washington, Lawrence accepted the Women’s Leadership Award at the 6th annual J.P. Morgan Tournament of Champions Women’s Leadership Program.

Through all of her experience, Lawrence left perhaps the biggest impression on the players who she recruited and coached. Lawrence’s last GW women’s senior captain, Brooke Feldman, may have put it best: “Wendy is the backbone behind our success, not only because of her global recruiting or winning mentality, but more importantly because of her unconditional emotional support and her unique character that have made playing for her unforgettable.”

A 1974 graduate of Vassar College, where she learned the game of squash and also played varsity tennis, Lawrence is retired in the Washington, DC area with her husband, Mark. Retired but not out of the game completely, Lawrence still plays squash regularly and has been consulting with the Georgetown University athletics department as they transition their women’s club squash team to a varsity program.

________________

The Arthur Blasberg, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award was first awarded in 1998 and is reserved for “those rare individuals who have contributed throughout their career to college squash as a whole and who have dedicated a career to the sport.” The most recent award was bestowed in 2007.

The Blasberg Family, many of whom played college squash, made a generous gift in 2020 to entitle and memorialize the CSA Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of their late father and grandfather, Arthur Blasberg, Jr. “Nothing brought [Arthur] greater joy than watching a hard-fought squash match,” said his daughter-in-law and former CSA Independent Director Jeannie Blasberg.