On March 26th Massachusetts Squash and the Boston squash community lost a beloved member, leader and mensch.His on-court accomplishments were impressive: nationally, he won 8 hardball singles titles and 17 age group doubles championships. And just this past January he won the 80+ division at the Century with his partner, fellow Bostonian Kush Kumar. Throughout his legendary playing career Lenny always exhibited exemplary sportsmanship, although he wasn’t above throwing in some colorful language during tight moments.
But it is his off-court impact that will be his legacy, both nationally and locally.
In 1993 he received US Squash’s highest individual award, the President’s Cup, for his contributions to the game which included serving as President of US Squash from 1984-1986. Induction into the US Squash Hall of Fame followed in 2012, alongside his longtime doubles partner Tom Poor.
Our community is fortunate that Lenny worked tirelessly behind the scenes for over 50 years, always advocating to expand access to the game. Whether it was 11 years as founding chairman of the country’s first urban squash program, SquashBusters, 21 years as co-director of The Boston Open, a major professional hardball tournament, or 35 years at the helm of the MFS professional SDA doubles tournament which he started, Lenny’s dedication to Boston squash ran deep.
Two of his many other projects illustrate the breadth of his commitment. For decades Lenny had the idea of having squash represented in the Sports Museum, now located in TD Garden. He persevered, gathering photos, equipment and other historical materials that told the history of squash in New England. In 2017 he oversaw its temporary installment in the museum where it exposed multitudes of visitors to the game of squash. That exhibit now resides permanently in the University Club of Boston.
In 2020 his compassion led him to propose that MA Squash distribute grants to local squash professionals who were financially affected by COVID. He solicited applications and talked with countless pros. Because of Lenny, MA Squash provided thirty $1,000 grants to local professionals.
He was a board member of MA Squash for at least 50 years, rarely missing a monthly meeting. Just a few weeks ago he was his usual self – a gently questioning presence, offering suggestions, excited about his upcoming beloved MFS Pro-Am Doubles and always, always asking how MA Squash can spend its money to widen squash’s reach to enhance the game.
Lenny was the backbone and conscience of MA Squash. Whether you’re a singles or doubles player, new to the game or a grizzled masters competitor, by being part of Boston’s squash community we’ve all been beneficiaries of Lenny’s half a century of tireless and selfless work to grow the game we all love.