Edgie Scott

On February 21, 2004, Edgie Scott unexpectedly passed away. To those who missed the pleasure of knowing Edgie, he was a frequent player, core supporter, and dear friend of Stanford Squash.

On the court, Edgie was an imposing figure. He stood over six feet and though not known for his speed, he more than compensated with strategy, reflexes, and finesse. Edgie was a top-ranked junior tennis player and it showed in his game. It is no exaggeration that Edgie's volleys, drops, and lobs were unrivaled. More than one player unfamiliar with Edgie pegged him as an easy win, only to leave the court three games later wondering what had just happened. Dubbed "the secret weapon", Edgie loved competition, as seen in this message to the club team (the "drifters") before a club vs. team match:

"Dear Drifters - I believe [the team] is a threat that needs to be taken seriously. These guys have been playing an awful lot and taking light study loads (in an environment where the low end of the curve is a C-). I believe that if every one of us will agree to abstain from sex for 7 days prior to the match, we will likely be ornery enough to win. This, coupled with our secret agreement to play more, run three times a week, and lift 3x should be sufficient to keep youth in its place. Thanks for these small sacrifices. Edgie (Drifter Emeritus)."

A former team member wrote this about Edgie:

Edgie's magic lay not so much in his nick shots and tricky drops. It was not so much his persistent spirit that kept him playing the beautiful game despite his weak knees and slowed speed.

To me, Edgie was special for the humility that he personified and brought to the game and those around him. I still remember vividly my early days in the autumn of 2000, when I was still a squash rookie (actually, still am) at DeGuerre. To those who have experienced the same, it's a miracle to get people who're better to spar. Many a good player would hasten to get it over with you so that they could go on to better players and challenges. Not Edgie. I remember how he would often go beyond the "standard" 3 games, even though he probably got no kick playing with me. To the brave and young who could run and jump, losing big time to Edgie was the ultimate insult. But I was glad to have Edgie as a squash partner and a friend. One who showed me great patience, and in the process, nurtured my interest in the game.

Edgie taught me to respect older players. Years after they are crippled by arthritic knees and wrists, they can still pack a mean swing or a deft drop that will put many of us to shame. It shows how squash is as much about touch and finesse as it is about speed and agility.

Edgie also taught me to respect your opponent, no matter how junior or rookie they may be. And how never to kill off a budding enthusiast, and in the process, his interest in the game by disposing of him nine-zilch in record time. For every new person that we inspire to play the game, it is one more player who will find the motivation to improve and spread the beauty of the game.

I hope everyone will find their own inspirations in the tournament, in life, and continue to practice and live the positive examples of great friends like Edgie Scott and Celestino Martinez. As a benefactor of his patience, humility, wisdom and friendship, I think this is the least I can do for Edgie.

Off the court, Edgie was Managing Director at Lighthouse Capital Partners and had invested in early-growth companies for twenty-five years. Despite his busy schedule, Edgie was a strong supporter of the program. His early donations helped the team hire a coach and his sage advice helped grow the program from what he called "our little band of squash activists" into a thriving community.

Edgie is survived by his wife, Sandy; his brother, Kelly; and four children, Edgerton III "Tucker," Doug, Jenny, and Diana. Edgie will be remembered for his charisma, humor, enthusiasm, and kindness. He will be greatly missed.