Why Stanford?
Stanford University's unparalled academic and athletic excellence makes it the ideal institution for student-athletes. Academically, Stanford is consistently rated in the top five of America's best colleges by U.S. News and World Report. Athletically, Stanford has captured over 100 National Championships and won the Directors cup (given to the best all-around athletic university in the nation) for eleven straight years. In addition, Stanford's sunny weather, lively school spirit, and laid-back atmosphere distinguish it from elite east coast institutions. Located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, 1 hour from San Francisco and 4 hours from Lake Tahoe, Stanford's campus offers both natural beauty and urban access.
Why Stanford Squash?
The Stanford Squash Program is unique - its players are serious about ascending through the national rankings, but are also keenly interested in preserving student-athlete input on the future direction of the program. In particular, students from the men's and women's teams are heavily involved in running the Club, maintaining this website and expanding outreach programs. As a result, we are looking for talented, entrepreneurial and highly motivated high school players who share our vision of building Stanford into a national powerhouse and the hub of squash on the west coast. For more information about the history and future of the program, please view our vision statement.
Intercollegiate Teams
We recognize that there are potentially two main disadvantages to playing squash at Stanford compared to the east coast. First, our distance from east coast teams makes constant competition difficult. Second, our program is not yet highly ranked. However, we are continually improving in both areas.
This season, the men's team will play at least 14 regular season matches. The men will travel east three times in addition to hosting in intercollegiate round robin in the new facility at Stanford. The men also compete against bay area clubs, in local tournaments and in the Peninsula Squash League. In the past, Stanford has hosted the Harvard men and women, the Trinity women, the Yale women, Utah, Cal, Navy and USC in the old facility. The new facility will allow the program to host more intercollegiate round robins.
The intercollegiate teams have moved up a combined 26 spots in the National rankings and will continue to improve under the guidance of head coach Mark Talbott and assistant coaches Richard Elliot and Zan Feild.
Those interested in the program should contact the Recruiting Director and consult the Stanford Admissions Page to receive an application/find out about the admissions process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Recruting
Will excellence in squash influence Stanford's admission decision?
The committee states: "Exceptional abilities in athletics or the fine arts may influence our decision if the applicant is otherwise well qualified, but such abilities never, by themselves, ensure admission to Stanford."
Is financial aid available for squash players?
Seventy-two percent of Stanford students are on some kind of financial aid (grants or loans). Stanford does not yet offer scholarships for squash, though they could be granted in the future since Stanford is not subject to the Ivy League ban on athletic scholarships. The Stanford admissions committee has a need-blind admissions policy for U.S. students, meaning that it does not consider a student's financial need when making admissions decisions. However, Stanford does consider financial need in making admissions decision for international students. Thus, financial aid for international students is available but limited. However, once students are admitted, the admissions committee tries to ensure that all students can afford a Stanford education.
Does Stanford's club status affect the program's quality?
Yes and no. The team is much like a varsity program in several respects. The team practices four to five times a week for two hours, plus individual weight training and conditioning. Players receive coaching, uniforms, and reserved court times. The team travels the country three times a year to play varsity competition. Unlike most club sports, the team also has an extensive recruiting program that has garnered the interest of many of the country's top players.
There are also some differences. Students pay a fee to support expenses and are expected to help with fundraising (though this also holds for several varsity programs). The university provides some funding, but the team does not receive advertising or scholarships through Athletics. Yet, all these disadvantages can be overcome through initiative and aggressive fundraising.
Most of the difference between club and varsity is image. Varsity is perceived as more prestigious, but the last word on prestige is performance.
What distinguishes Stanford academically?
Stanford is renowned for its commitment to undergraduate education. For example, the university just completed a $1 billion fundraising campaign dedicated exclusively to improving the undergraduate experience at Stanford. That money has provided funding for many undergraduate programs including three-week Overseas Seminars with distinguished Faculty, the Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford athletics, financial aid, freshman and sophomore seminars, and hundreds of student groups. Learn more about Stanford's Campaign for Undergraduate Education. Stanford is also known for its support of undergraduate research-- through undergraduate research grants, seminar classes with senior faculty and close contact with Stanford's prestigious graduate schools (Medical school, Law school, Business school and masters/PhD programs in almost all departments). Even Stanford's academic calendar is designed to provide students with the utmost flexibility in choosing classes and majors. Unlike most east coast universities, Stanford operates on a quarter system-with students attending class in the fall, winter and spring (but generally not the summer). Students can take anywhere from 3 to 5 classes per quarter. This schedule allows students to take more classes and more easily adjust their workload by quarter. Finally, Stanford offers many interdisciplinary programs in addition to traditional majors-including Symbolic Systems (combing computer science, philosophy, linguistics and design), Management Science and Engineering (combining business, computer science, and engineering), Human Biology (combining biology, public policy and anthropology), Interdisciplinary studies in the Humanities (allowing students to design their own major within the Humanities) to name some of the most popular. At Stanford, the opportunities abound-the only question is deciding which ones to seize.
Can graduate students play on the teams?
Yes. According to NCAA/NISRA rules, first-year graduate students are eligible to play on the team if they 1) played less than four years of undergraduate collegiate squash and 2) enter Stanford directly after completion of an undergraduate degree. Under these conditions, graduate students are eligible for one year of competition.
Is the campus really that beautiful?
Yes.
How do I apply for admission?
Recruits may obtain an application and all information regarding undergraduate or graduate admissions from the linked pages. Recruits should also contact the Recruiting Director.
