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U.S. Squash Foundation Hosts Drive to LA28 Campaign Event and Reception

June 23, 2025

The U.S. Squash Foundation launched the Drive to LA28 Campaign with a launch event and reception at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center on Thursday, June 19.

The Drive to LA28 Campaign comes as a direct result of squash’s inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games. As US Squash, athletes and coaches work to position the sport for success, the Drive to LA28 Campaign provides the necessary resources to maximize efforts leading up to and at the LA28 Olympic Games through various avenues. Patrons of the Drive to LA28 Campaign support the growth and excellence of squash in the United States alongside a passionate group of U.S. Squash Foundation supporters on an exciting and exclusive journey through the LA28 Olympic Games.

“The 2028 Olympic Games are everything for the sport here in the U.S.; it’s perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Nick Kokiko, Sr. Vice President of Development, Sponsorship and Marketing, US Squash. “Ensuring everything about the viewing experience, from the sport’s television presentation to the sportsmanship of the players and the success of Team USA, as well as ensuring those watching have an easy onboard into the sport once they get hooked, is the U.S. Squash Foundation’s core focus and mission of the Drive to LA28 campaign.”

Around 5,000,000,000 people watched the Olympic Games Paris 2024 globally across platforms, with over 30 million viewers each day. As one of five new sports debuting at the LA28 Games, squash has the potential to impact viewers like never before seen.

“By the end of the LA28 games, we want to ensure squash is known universally across the country and readily accessible for a new influx of players. That work started with the launch of this campaign and will require fully coordinated and generous support by the U.S. squash community,” said Kokiko.

Attendees were welcomed under an archway of racquets and ushered into the Ganek Family Champions Deck for an evening celebrating the pathway to the LA28 Games. US Squash President and CEO Kevin Klipstein opened the evening with remarks followed by a panel moderated by Mason Darrow, Manager of Major Gifts, United States Olympic & Paralympic Foundation. Olympians Jordan Burroughs, two-time Olympian and gold medal wrestler in the London 2012 Games, and Kassidy Cook, two-time Olympian and silver medal diver at the Paris 2024 Games, joined highly decorated three-time Paralympic swimmer and eight-time medalist Brad Snyder, who most recently won gold for the PTVI Triathalon in Tokyo 2020. The panel focused on Burroughs, Cook and Snyder’s journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, highlighting the unprecedented and honored arena US Squash and the members of Team USA Squash are now entering. Thursday marked 1,113 days until the opening ceremonies of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Ganek Family US Squash Head National Coach Nick Taylor closed out the evening by emphasizing the impact on Team USA athletes, coaching and resources he hopes the Drive to LA28 Campaign will make between now and the July 2028 opening ceremonies.

Following the reception, attendees shuffled into the back wall of the Roberts Family Court and H. Chase Lenfest Court and enjoyed the semifinals of the 2025 Desai Family U.S. Women’s and S.L. Green U.S. Men’s Championships, which saw Team USA Squash members Amanda Sobhy, Olivia Weaver, Timmy Brownell and Nick Spizzirri advance to Friday’s finals.

Following the first two semifinal matches, Olympians Burroughs and Cook were recognized on court and presented with racquets and lifetime memberships to the Arlen Specter US Squash Center. US Squash Board and U.S. Squash Foundation Board members Sandy Tierney and Danny Dolan were also recognized for their years of service.

Thursday’s event marked the largest Team USA Squash reception since the opening of the Specter Center in 2021, confirming the Olympic momentum of an excited and long-waiting U.S. squash community.

To become involved in the journey to the LA28 Olympic Games and learn more about the Drive to LA28 Campaign, please contact Nick Kokiko, Sr. Vice President of Development, Sponsorship and Marking, US Squash at nick.kokiko@ussquash.org.