Squash Across America Presents Amateur Tournament in Lake Forest

Squash in the USA, a sport whose visibility and persona has been hamstrung in the past in the USA by it's close association with exclusive private clubs and selective colleges, has spawned a new public access movement.

Following on the wildly successful Urban squash programs, which have broke through many barriers and brought squash to urban centers and new audiences and demographic groups, this new movement has some interesting and exciting potential.

Squash Across America, a new non-profit organization charged with creating public access to squash courts and new programs to support them, launched September 10 in conjunction with America’s first open air professional tournament, the Sweet Home Chicago Open.  This weekend, September 27-28, the organization hosts a USSRA (United States Squash Racquet Association) sanctioned amateur tournament hosted at Lake Forest Squash, 400 East Hastings Road, Lake Forest, IL.   Lake Forest Squash is the nation’s first public program, open to all, operating through the City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department.

Amateur players are traveling in to compete from Ohio, Maryland, Missouri and New York to compete against Illinois area adult and junior players.  The event highlights the value in open access to the game by creating competitive arenas in which to play.  Three top-20 nationally ranked players will battle this weekend in the boys’ under-15 bracket. In addition, Pepper Pike, Ohio-based Rachel Leizman, nationally ranked #8 in the girls’ under-15 division, will compete.  

Squash Across America Board members include Alan Murray, Tetra Pak US President; Bill McNally, Head Coach Connecticut College and author of the USSRA’s (United States Squash Racquets Association)  Levels 1-3 Certification Course co-author; Ron Boggs, Director First Non Profit Insurance Company; Robert T. Bernat, Attorney; Jack Herold, Junior Advisor; John White, Technical Advisor and Julian Illingworth, Professional Player Advisor lead by Kim Tunney, Past President, Illinois Squash Racquets Association and Past Executive Secretary, USSRA.   Board members Jack Herold and Alan Murray will be amongst the players competing in the event this weekend.

Additional information about the organization may be found at www.SquashAcrossAmerica.org.

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