Like you, I am excited about this season of squash ahead of us. Inclusion in the Olympic Games has provided us with an entirely different lens through which to view our sport and its development. Most conversations I have include some sort of connection with or relationship to the Olympics in some way. Inclusion clearly creates a unique opportunity to leverage broader awareness of squash, expand our reach and increase participation.
To take advantage of this moment, we’re investing in market research to help us attract major sponsors and we are so pleased to have recently announced the Comcast Business title sponsorship of the upcoming U.S. Open at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center.
The Specter Center has exceeded expectations in so many ways, beginning with our ability to host major events such as the U.S. Open, as well as the U.S. Junior Open, the U.S. High School Championships, Collegiate Nationals and more than a dozen others in a world-class manner.
The Specter Center also serves as the home of Team USA Squash. With the new Ganek Family Head National Coach Nick Taylor arriving in October, the entire High Performance Program and the athletes it serves will receive a huge boost in energy and support. Nick has an outstanding track record as a world class player and coach in addition to unrivaled passion for bringing new players into the sport. A bigger pipeline of players means a larger talent pool, and all of this is done with an eye towards the goal of medaling in 2028.
Many have questions about LA28, so I’ll share what we do know:
- World Squash, US Squash and the PSA Tour are working in close collaboration on all aspects of the upcoming program in LA;
- In April, we received confirmation that the competition will be a 32-player singles draw per gender;
- By the end of 2024 we expect confirmation of the squash venue from the LA28 Organizing Committee;
- During 2025, discussions will take place with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding the maximum number of athletes allowed per National Organizing Committee (in our case the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee) and the qualifying programme;
- By early 2026 we expect final confirmation of all qualification tournaments for all sports by the IOC Executive Board.
Among the key principles to be considered for the qualification journey will be:
- A fair balance between world rankings and qualifying tournaments;
- Providing all athletes (mainly professionals) at least ONE opportunity to compete in a tournament for which he/she could qualify;
- The likely use of all Continental Games (such as the Pan American Games) as qualification events.
We will keep you posted on this timeline and further details. From a fan perspective, once the venue is set we’ll get a better sense of how you can start your own Olympic journey.
One thing is for certain— there is work to do to make the most of this moment. From marketing and sponsorship, to media and PR; hosting outstanding major championships and crowning more than 240 national champions each year to operating the finest squash center in the world; supporting teaching professionals and coaches at clubs, schools and universities, to our own high performance athletes as they pursue their goals; providing the core infrastructure for squash to driving growth and opportunity at every level.
Therefore I’ll conclude, as I did my season “wrap up” message last June, with a similar appeal: If you believe, as I do, that squash has had a major impact on who you are as a person, your family, and your life, then I strongly encourage you to consider prioritizing the U.S. Squash Foundation in your philanthropy.
US Squash has a proven track record of providing an excellent return on modest investments, one which expands and enhances opportunities for you, your family and your squash community. Our capabilities and the growth and development of the sport in the U.S. is only limited by the community’s willingness to invest in it.
If you’re passionate about squash, you’re passionate about US Squash.
See you on the court!
Kevin Klipstein
