“…He will attend Williams College in Williamstown, Mass. in the fall and play for the Ephs. “I wanted to play in college, and to have that become a reality was a special sign of how hard I had worked,” said Greaves-Tunnell, who graduated first in the class of 2009 at McQuaid. “I’m very proud of the ranking and all the success up to this point.”

…“His attitude and dedication is amazing, he has just worked incredibly hard,” said Kate Guyer, his coach for the last nine years. “Mentally on the court he is very tough to beat. He is never really out of any match.”…

Greaves-Tunnell started playing squash at 9 with his father Peter and younger brother Nick. Nick and Alec still battle it out on the court a few times a week, but they also support each other when they are on the road. Peter has been pleasantly surprised at the lessons his sons have learned from something he thought was just a hobby. “It’s been a wonderful addition to the family,” Peter said. “They have benefited from the sport because it has taught them so many life lessons. It’s been a much bigger part of their lives than I could have ever dreamed.”

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE.

Read all about the 2016 effort at SquashSite. ]]> http://www.squashrochester.org/2009/06/16/squash-makes-a-compelling-case-for-the-olympics/feed/ http://www.squashrochester.org/2009/06/12/2009mcactournament/ http://www.squashrochester.org/2009/06/12/2009mcactournament/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:34:11 +0000 Mithun Mukherjee http://www.squashrochester.org/?p=1374 The End-of-Season tournament at the Medical Center is here!

Please get your matches played over the next two weeks and send results to Bob Good (bob_good@urmc.rochester.edu). Also, please cc webmaster@squashrochester.org so we may record the results online.

• you missed a Yellowjacket match (how dare you!) and wondered about the result
• you had no idea there was a youth squash clinic (perfect to keep those brats occupied!) coming up
• you were playing the amateur event in the Rochester ProAm and wanted to keep up with the pro matches being played out the same time that weekend (although scheduling will probably be revised to avoid this in the future)
• you’re a Midtown squasher and wonder whats going on in the Med Center squash world and vice versa
• you have no idea whats going on in the bigger, broader world of squash nationally and internationally

So if you’re already on Twitter, FOLLOW US! And if you’re not on Twitter, then get with the program!
And while you’re at it, here are some squash related twitter pages worth following:

• US Squash
• Squash Canada
• SquashSite
• Rod Gilmour, squash journalist
• Tim Bacon, squash coach/scientist
• Alex Gough, CEO, Professional Squash Association
• James Willstrop, Squash professional
• Harvard Squash
• Alan Clyne, Scottish squash pro
• Ron Beck from SquashTalk
• SquashBlogger

If you have others to add to the list, tell us about other squash Tweeps.

“I do a lot of lunging on the stability ball (half Swiss ball with a solid, flat base), holding my balance, keeping my core tight. For me it’s one of the best things in my program, because squash is not just about speed, being fast at the front of the court, it’s also about control, and if you can’t control your body you’re in strife….The main endurance work I do is on the track, running 800s. I sprint 600m then jog 200m. I run the 600 in two minutes, jog the 200 in one minute. Then I start again, with no break in between. At the moment I’m trying to build up to eight-to-ten sets nonstop….
…Sometimes I turn it into an endurance exercise and do 300 lengths in 15 minutes. That’s a real mental drill – one of those drills you dread. But knowing you can do 300 court sprints in 15 minutes is a real confidence builder….”

Read all about David’s training schedule at InsideSport.com.

For the third summer, the Genesee Valley Club is making its squash doubles court available to non-members on Wednesday evenings 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We begin next Wednesday June 10th, and will go through Labor Day. I invite all players to come and enjoy this great game. There is no cost, except to provide your own doubles ball.

The format is simple. The first 4 arrivals play two games. Then team one goes off, and another comes on for two games. Team two plays one more game, and another comes on for 2 games. Thus, there is a constant rotation, and everyone gets to play quite a few games before the night is over. You don’t need a partner to come and play. You don’t have to have played before.

Last year we had a good number of returnees and newbies. I believe everyone thinks it’s a great fun and a good change of pace from singles.The annual George Armstrong Tournament now includes a B/C level doubles draw, and a lot of the summer players entered it last year.

Please e-mail Jack Fitzpatrick (john.d.fitzpatrick@ustrust.com) on Wednesdays to tell him if you are coming. It makes it easier to be assured that we have at least 4 players.

——————-
READ A GREAT ARTICLE ON DOUBLES SQUASH - “The Sweet THWOCK of Success!”

MAY 23rd 2009 IS WORLD SQUASH DAY IN SUPPORT OF THE SQUASH FOR 2016 MOVEMENT! BACK THE BID! WEAR THE T-SHIRT! The bid to include squash in the 2016 Olympics is gaining worldwide momentum once again. After almost being included in the 2012 Olympic program four years ago, the sport’s fans, players, communities and governing bodies are rallying around once again to push for inclusion in the worldwide stage in 2016. SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! LIMITED SQUASH 2016 T-SHIRTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $20 EACH! ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE SQUASH 2016 MOVEMENT. CONTACT US WITH SIZE INFO TO ORDER!

Squash2016 is endorsed by all major governing bodies of the sport. World Squash Day founder Alan Thatcher says “This gives every squash club the opportunity to support two major objectives: to raise the profile of the sport and to raise valuable money for the Squash 2016 Bid Fund….The Olympic bid is an ambitious project which, if successful, will give squash a deserved place in the Olympic Games. That bid process is not cheap and it is up to every squash player to help the cause.”

More info @ Squash2016.info and WorldSquashDay.com and the SquashSite 2016 feature. Or email Eric Hernady for information/questions/ideas etc.

More links: World Squash Movement and Squash for 2016 Event on Facebook

As President of the RSRA for 2008 to 2009, I would like to provide a brief summary of the squash activities we have conducted or supported in the past year. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Rochester squash community that so many things happened, and on behalf of the Board of Directors, I would to thank you all for your commitment and participation.

First in June, RSRA promoted the training/exhibition night at GVC in support of the US Junior National team visit. The juniors were impressed by their, treatment and this was good not only for Rochester squash, but for Rochester in general. RSRA fronted some of the costs, which were generously reimbursed by a donation from Alan Cameros and others from the local squash community.

Crazy Squash Clinic 2008

In September, RSRA sponsored our second Youth Clinic at GVC, organized by Troy Zarcone and run by Eric Hernady and Kate Guyer. This was enthusiastically received by the participants, who hopefully will be valued additions to the squash community.

Also in September, Doug Bennett organized a referees’ clinic at Midtown, with the expertise provided by certified referees, Herb Barbehenn and Eric Hernady.

Jonathan and Brendon

In November, RSRA promoted the annual GVC George Armstrong tournament, where there were three draws this year: Brendan Bascom winning the 5.0, Nick Greaves-Tunnell the 4.0, and Sam Selonick the 3.0.

We also publicized the activities of the University of Rochester Yellow Jacket squash team, under the direction of Martin Heath, by promoting attendance at their home matches, particularly the big matches against Dartmouth and Trinity, and publicizing a season opener exhibition at the Meliora weekend in October. Mithun gets the credit here for his tireless blogging of their activities. UR vs Trinity in Feb saw a record attendance.

In the City League, we reverted back to the single season format. There were three divisions and twenty-one teams, a good turnout once again. The leagues were won by Thomson Chew’s GVC team (Div 1), Hugh Higgins U or R team (Div 2), and Peter Brizee’s MidTown team (Div 3). This time, for the first time in a while, every division winner also won the playoffs. A welcome change was that the University of Rochester was represented once again. My thanks to all the captains for managing their teams, and to the club representatives for organizing the teams and captains.

We also converted to the new US Squash system for scheduling and reporting the matches. This was not without its challenges, and there are still issues to be resolved before we fully commit to converting to this site.

And, finally, the flagship event: the 2009 ProAm and Awards. This is the eighth year the RSRA has run this event, but the first time it was elevated to the SuperSatellite level. Consequently the pros were ranked higher than before, and this led to a fascinating tournament, with some high quality matches, including the final where Ryan Cuskelly of Australia beat Amr Mansi of Egypt.

The City Tournament was run to coincide with the event, and there were almost 40 entrants across three divisions. Brendan Bascom was beated in the final by visitor Bumpei Kawano in the 5.0 draw, John Puskas won in the 4.0, and Johnathan Davis in the 3.0.

We held the Peter Lyman and Fred and Carol Weymuller awards presentations after the final event, where I had the honor to present the Weymuller award to joint winners Eliza Callihan and Alex Greaves-Tunnell,

and Hugh Higgins presented the Lyman award to Jack Fitzpatrick. I also presented the league and playoff trophies to the winning captains.

We have had one low light, but one that is shared by the whole economy, namely that our Investment Account lost approximately 35% of its value in 2008. Hopefully that, along with our personal retirement portfolios, will recover somewhat in 2009!

So in summary, this was an active and successful year, and I look forward to another one in the coming season. I thank those involved for their time and effort, and encourage others to step forward and help.

Mark Raeside
RSRA President, 2008-09

Jack Fitzpatrick

Jack Fitzpatrick

The Peter R. Lyman award is now 30 years old. In the mid seventies the award was initiated by two of his former players, Dave and Richie Perlman, and who played for him and Spike Gonzales a long time player at Midtown Athletic Club. Peter coached both of the Perlman brothers at UR in both squash and tennis between 1964 and 1970, and they were the captains of his teams. These three players wanted to recognize individuals who, over several years, had demonstrated three qualities:

1. Exemplary sportsmanship on and off the court
2.Dedication to improving his or her own game
3.Significant contribution to the organization and development of squash in the Rochester area.

Our Lyman Sportsmanship awardee this year is one of the most recognizable and exemplary personalities on the Rochester Squash Scene. He is always a strong member of the city league and represents himself very well in our local tournaments, more often then not winning his bracket.
Over the years, this years’ recipient, has been heavily involved in promoting the game of squash, not only at his home Genesee Valley Club, but also throughout the community.
He has been on the board of Squash Rochester both as a club rep and currently as the Boards’ Vice President. He has been heavilly involved in promoting the game of squash to juniors, having been instrumental in bringing the US National Junior team to Rochester to train last summer, and is always a key member of the organizing committee for the annual George Armstrong Tournament held every fall.

During the past two summers, he has spearheaded opening up the Genesee Valleys Doubles court to all Squash Rochester members so that we may beat ourselves silly trying to learn the game and gear up for the Armstrong tournament in the fall. I sincerely hope that he continues this in coming years.

Please give a warm round of applause for the 2009 Peter Lyman award recipient - Jack Fitzpatrick!!!!

Year in Review (Mark):
- National Juniors
- Youth Clinic
- Referee clinic
- George Armstrong
- Support for U of R team
- City League (21 teams), U of R fielded 3 teams
- Pro/Am/City championship
- Awards
Topics for future discussion:
-It was suggested that next year the amateur portion of the tournament be moved foreward so as not to keep people from attending the early Pro matches.
- Troy and Kate are working to energize youth participation
- The referee clinic was well recieved and there is need for more, it’s an important part of the game.
- We should be educating the Squash community about proposed point-a-rally scoring, and encouraging it’s casual use in box leagues etc.

Officers for next year: Only changes or continuity to an opening are noted.
Jack and Mark are exchanging offices, making Jack Fitzpatrick President and Mark Raeside VP.
Bill has agreed to stay on as Treasurer.
Women will be represented by Tracy Ali and Pat Helfer
Membership: Mithun Mukherjee
Harrow rep.: Bridget Borsa & Ken Smoker
U of R rep.: Open

23 May ‘09 is Squash 2016 day, promoting the inclusion of Squash in the Summer Olympics.

Next meeting:
Tuesday 12 May at Genesee Valley Club 6:00.