History:

The Stanford Squash Program was founded by a handful of enthusiastic undergrads in 1999. From that small core, the program has grown to include nationally competitive men's and women's teams, a club open to Stanford affiliates, a university-accredited class for beginners, junior squash camps, bay area tournaments, and a growing core of enthusiastic alumni. The program was entirely student run until August 2004, when Stanford Athletics appointed Mark Talbott, the greatest squash player in American history, as program director. Since Mark's arrival students have continued to be heavily involved in running day-to-day operations and shaping the program's future. Indeed, the program's broad scope and high level of student involvement makes it unique in the country and immensely rewarding for all involved.

Intercollegiate Team Vision Statement:

The arrival of Mark Talbott and the impending completion of a new state-of-the-art, eight-court squash facility on campus marks a period of exciting development for the intercollegiate teams. Under Mark's leadership, the teams intend to rise in the national rankings while still retaining the unique, student-driven character of Stanford squash. The hallmark of the program has always been, and will continue to be, hard-working, passionate players who contribute to the program both on the court and off the court.

Mark plans to recruit top junior players, while continuing the Stanford squash tradition of finding athletic beginners on campus.

The women's team has the unique potential to become a varsity sport, thanks to Title IX considerations. The women's team will do everything possible to convince the athletic department that it is worthy of being promoted.

Finally, intercollegiate team members will continue to strive for the optimal balance between dedicating enough time to squash to be nationally competitive and leaving time for the participating in the rest of college life. Current and past team members have engaged in numerous university activities outside of squash-- including student government, Greek life, research, music, entrepreneurship, Stanford newspapers, and volunteer projects. Stanford squash is proud to have team GPAs that are consistently among the highest of all sports teams at Stanford.

Program Vision Statement:

We believe that Stanford has a unique opportunity to be the hub of squash on the west coast. To that end, the program currently organizes local tournaments, athletic department classes, a squash club for Stanford affiliates, and junior squash camps. In the near future, we hope to expand our community outreach programs to include a squash and tutoring program for disadvantaged youth, a set of collegiate and recreational round robins, and a variety of clinics in our new facility. We hope that the success of Stanford squash program will encourage other schools to form teams and we will continue our efforts to promote and compete against newly-formed collegiate teams.

What we’ve done so far:

Coaching
In August 2004, the program fulfilled its dream of having a full time squash director when Mark Talbott arrived on campus. As a player, Mark was ranked #1 in the world for 12 straight years and won over 200 professional tournaments (including 70% of the tournaments he entered). As a coach, Mark led the Yale women to their first undefeated season in over a decade and a National Championship. In addition to his on court accomplishments, Mark is equally respected for his dedication to developing squash. In 1990, Mark founded the Talbott Squash Academy in Newport, RI-- now the premier squash training center in the US. The program is also fortunate to receive support and coaching from the trio of Richard Elliot, Jon Perry and Zan Field. Richard and Jon are both nationally-ranked professionals who offer level III coaching to the team and club, respectively. Zan is a Stanford alumnus who has been instrumental in developing the program and helping coach the teams.

Courts
In 1999, the program engaged in extensive dialogue with Athletics, encouraging them to renovate an aging deGuerre facility. As a result, the University constructed two glass-backed international courts and refurbished three existing American courts. Since then, demand for court time has far exceeded capacity. In 2001-2002, the program once again approached Athletics about improving Stanford's squash facilities. After an extensive needs study, consultation with squash court companies and architects, and several proposals to Athletics (i.e. several thousand man-hours later!), we are pleased to announce the scheduled construction of eight glass-backed international courts to be completed by the summer of 2005 in the Arriallaga Family Recreational Center.

Size of Program
The men's team has improved its national ranking each and every year since its inception in 1999. From its last-place ranking in that inaugural year, the men's team now boasts two division titles, the 2001 Barnaby Trophy for the nation's most improved team, and a 2004 preseason ranking of #18. In addition, former men's team captain Rich Sherwood received the 2004 Skillman Award given annually to the most outstanding player and sportsman in men's college squash. The women's team, founded in 2001, is expecting to break the top 20 in 2004.

Club membership per year routinely runs between 100 and 200 people. Many more are turned away because of current resource limitations. When the new facility is complete, the club is expecting to expand dramatically. Outside of the club, Stanford Squash continues to teach the game of squash to Stanford beginners through a University-accredited class.

For the broader bay-area community, Stanford holds two open tourneys per year with an average attendance of 50-60 players. The program's junior camps have been overwhelmingly successful with some juniors turned away due to resource limitations that will be alleviated with completion of the new squash facility.

The Next Step:

The program's main goals are:
1) Expand both collegiate and recreational squash opportunities on the west coast, including establishment of new community outreach programs and an annual collegiate round-robin tourney.
2) Improve the intercollegiate teams by expanding junior recruiting efforts, while still retaining the teams' unique character.
3) Work with Athletics to promote the women's team to varsity.
4) Fundraise an endowment that would permanently fund the director's salary and program expenses.

Volunteering, donations, and other support from the community:

Many of those that are now intimately involved in Stanford Squash were originally enthusiastic community members or alumni. If you are excited about the prospect of developing squash at Stanford, please contact our program director.