President’s Corner (Archive)
Update on 2024-2025 Season (March)
Greetings Squash Enthusiasts!!
It’s been great seeing so many superb matches at the MFS Pro-Am, the PSA Satellite tournament, plus many local club championships, high school and juniors tournaments in our region. We have several exciting upcoming events.
Leagues. This season 81 teams have been participating in MA Squash leagues since October with an eye on the big prize, a division title and points towards the League Championship Cup. Most divisions have a few regular season matches left. At present, 14 different clubs have teams in potential playoff positions. Be sure to come to Harvard’s Murr Center on Thursday, March 27 to watch the top teams in each division play their finals matches. It’s a wonderful celebration of our squash community with food, refreshments, and cheering amongst friends and former foes. The fun starts at 6pm. For those that ‘keep the habit’, Magruder Summer League will start mid June?!
States. MA Squash has 4 self scheduling state championships currently underway. The Singles Championships have over 360 matches played to date in 26 different draws. The Junior Singles Championships have 6 different draws with roughly 100 juniors participating. Finals for the Singles Championships will be another celebration of our finest – come to Harvard’s Murr Center on Thursday, May 1! Festivities start around 4:30 (juniors) followed by adult finals starting around 6:00pm, with plenty of food, drink, and camaraderie.
For those that like to double the pleasure – come watch our Tom Poor hardball doubles finals on two nights, April 28 and May 5 at the University Club! Over 160 teams are playing in 12 draws. Stay tuned for details on match times and finalists’ names.
Last but not least, we are reinstating the softball doubles state championship after a 5 year hiatus. Over 70 individuals are playing on 44 teams with finals for all draws slated for Saturday, May 17 at SquashWest.
We have many opportunities to enjoy some exciting squash in the next few months. Our Annual Meeting will again be at the University Club on Monday, May 5 (concurrent with some of the Tom Poor hardball doubles matches). Come congratulate the winners and awardees and learn more about MA Squash.
As always, sign up for our Newsletter to stay informed, and don’t be shy with ideas, suggestions, questions.
Hope to see you on the T!
Start of 2024-2025 Season
Greetings Squash Enthusiasts!!
Our season is about to begin, and bodes well for more squash in more places than ever.
Leagues. MA Squash boasts one of the strongest leagues in the nation: 81 teams each fielding 4-5 players weekly, over 800 different players, 9 divisions in fiscal 2025. Five clubs are fielding two teams in the same division – wow! Formal League play begins October 15, with the not to be missed Leagues Finals Night at Harvard’s Murr Center on Thursday, March 27 2025. Mark your calendars! Schedules and teams for fall/winter season are here.
Juniors. Our Junior Round Robin (RR) program has been in place for decades, thanks to the unquenchable enthusiasm of former Board members Tom Poor and Jon Ross. The Jr. RR baton has been passed to Lovey Roundtree – contact her for fun, friendly, less stressful ways to pick up the game, make friends, and maybe even lure parents to the T for a try – volunteers welcome! In addition, many of our area clubs are hosting junior tournaments (check the Squash Calendar)!
Dual County Public High School (PHS) Squash. MA now has 9 different PHS teams, adding teams every year. Many are established as clubs that can welcome nearby students, grades 8-12. Interested juniors/parents should contact us!
States. MA Squash has a self-scheduling state singles championship that includes multiple skill level and age level draws for adults and juniors. Other states have emulated this approach, which allow hundreds to participate over several months. REGISTRATION is open and the deadline is EARLY this year (December 22). Sign up now, and save the date for Finals at Harvard’s Murr Center on Thursday, May 1, 2025. A terrific way to wrap up the season and cheer friends and one time foes.
Doubles. Three area clubs have hardball doubles, three others have softball doubles. Double the pleasure, double the fun – so worth a try or at least a peak. We help sponsor the MFS Pro-Am Doubles Championships here in Boston (January) which provides streaming access for all to watch the best doubles players in the world.
Women’s Events. Roughly 100 women in greater Boston participated in several Women’s Squash Week events (1 dozen at UClub, 2 dozen at SqWest, 5 dozen at the Murr)! Easily ahead of the pack nationally. We also have 10 teams representing the Howe Cup in Philly in November (the nation’s largest women’s event, and one of its oldest, dating back to 1928).
Bottom line, let’s gear up for more squash everywhere – for the young/old, the private /public schools, the women/men, the newcomers/oldtimers, the learners (check out the clinics!!) as well as the pros (open 6.0+ league…and of course Olympics in ‘28!). Sign up for our Newsletter to stay informed, and don’t be shy with ideas, suggestions, questions.
Hope to see you on the T!
Lisa Putukian
President, MA Squash
president@ma-squash.org