Since StreetSquash’s inception, founder George Polsky always referred to squash as a “hook” to get students into the building. From there, participants would receive help gaining access to whatever opportunities they wanted to pursue. That hasn’t changed. But when squash and academics are presented as something that can be explored beyond the high school years, it creates an entirely new mindset and outlook for students. 

 

As the program has evolved over the course of nearly 25 years, it’s a fairly recent phenomenon to see students think about and pursue squash in college.

 

“There was never a structured system to support players in the college recruitment process,” StreetSquash’s Manager of Squash Katiria Sanchez said. “It wasn’t ever a big focus for a lot of our kids. They just played as much as they could while they were in the program; some went on to play college squash here or there. But it just wasn’t a thing culturally in the program.” 

 

Now that’s changing. StreetSquash has four extremely experienced and talented coaches who are taking our participants to the next level. Sanchez is a former player on the varsity squash team at Trinity College. Squash Director Simba Muhwati also played at Trinity College, where he won four national championships as a player, and an additional one as an Assistant Coach. He’s currently also a coach for the U.S. Junior National Team, leading the top players under 18 in the country. Head Squash Professional Rick Penders won seven national titles as a junior player in The Netherlands and became the No. 2 ranked under-19 player in Europe. He also played college squash at Trinity and served one year as an Assistant Coach. Assistant Squash professional Joanne Schickerling spent a lot of time in the StreetSquash building before joining our staff, as she was serving as an Assistant Coach for Columbia University’s Men’s and Women’s squash teams. Columbia University uses StreetSquash as its home for its practices and varsity matches. 

 

Schickerling, having been directly involved in the recruitment of college players at Columbia, has spearheaded StreetSquash’s newly implemented systems to help current participants play collegiate squash. 

 

“The biggest piece for me coming in, was the lack of educating the students [on the recruiting process], especially before grade 12,” Schickerling said. “But setting up a system from grade nine onwards, they’re being educated on how the recruitment system works. So now, it’s very systematic on what they need to be doing and when they need to be doing it.”

 

However, getting recruited requires a student to excel in three separate facets, according to Schickerling. In addition to squash, coaches look at student grades as well as their character. Here at StreetSquash, the squash department has been working in tandem with the academic department to ensure participants are keeping their grades up and keeping track of all the necessary steps they need to take. 

 

Schickerling set up a recruitment tracker where students can stay on top of everything they need to do. 

 

Clara Greenstein, one of StreetSquash’s Academic Coordinators, checks in with each student every time they come into the academic space to ensure that they are updating their recruiting trackers accurately. 

 

“The students are logging their calls, and their interactions so that everybody at StreetSquash is on the same page about exactly where each kid is in the process,” Greenstein said. 

 

Thomas Overton, a junior, has had an interest in continuing squash beyond high school for a few years now.

 

“From Columbia University, having a couple of home matches and being able just to watch them play, it opened my eyes so much to how really intense college squash is,” Thomas said. “Playing college squash has been a major goal for me ever since the beginning of ninth grade.” 

 

This year, Thomas has been talking to various squash coaches and visiting schools to see what the atmosphere was like. A few weeks ago, Thomas joined other StreetSquash students on a trip to Hobart & William Smith Colleges for a tour, and to watch former StreetSquasher Matthew Aldana play in a match for the school. During the visit, Thomas had an opportunity to speak to Hobart’s Graduate Assistant Coach, Sanna Koivumäk.

 

“I got to talk to her about what she looks for in a college squash player,” Thomas said. “She was specifying how passionate players are, and how committed they are not only to squash but academics.” 

 

The academic aspect has pushed Thomas to do better in school.

 

“I’ve improved so many of my grades, and I’ve been showing that to college coaches,” Thomas said. “That’s been a major accomplishment for me.”

 

Greenstein has also taken notice. 

 

“The kids that are going through the recruiting process actively right now, their academic growth is pretty extreme,” Greenstein said. “They’re taking academics much more seriously.”

 

Thomas has also been talking to Vassar College, and he visited their campus recently as well. He’s had conversations with their coach, and even got a chance to get on court with some of the players. 

 

“I beat the number three seed in a couple of points,” Thomas said with a big smile. 

 

A visit to St. Lawrence University is also on the horizon for Thomas. 

 

Khissaiyia Spencer, a senior, is also looking to play college squash. It was something she thought about in 10th grade, coming out of the pandemic. 

 

She approached coach Sanchez about her desire to play college squash two years ago, unsure of what the process would be like.

 

“I knew we had some alum who played in college,” Khissaiyia said. “But I didn’t have that entire perspective.”

 

Now, Khissayia leans on coach Schickerling’s recruiting knowledge often.

 

“I like to go to Joanne a lot because I know she’s directly dealt with emails that have to do with being recruited,” Khissaiyia said. 

 

Khissayia had the opportunity to participate in a college showcase during her junior year at Haverford. This year, she says she’s reaching out to coaches and following up with them either every week or every other week. She says she’s had communication with Franklin and Marshall as well as Wesleyan. She’ll be visiting Hobart in a few weeks.

 

“Squash isn’t the be-all end-all,” Khissaiyia said. “But it’s something I’m really passionate about and something I really want to do for the next four years of my life, at least.” 

 

For Khissaiyia, academics have always been a priority for her, but the squash recruitment process has encouraged her to continue to push through the tough days she has on the court. 

 

“Training is hard,” Khissaiyia said. “Especially the level of training that we’re doing. But learning about the college recruiting process and knowing that it can actually happen gives me something to work for. Even on the days when I don’t really want to be here, I don’t really feel like running, I don’t really feel like doing drills, that’s the motivation. I know I’m working towards something.”

 

Junior Osiris Perez didn’t have college squash at the top of his mind originally. But he says his coaches saw the dedication and passion that he brings to the sport, and they recommended he try and pursue it. He says Schickerling, Sanchez, and Greenstein are staying on top of him to ensure he’s doing what he needs to be doing.

 

“It feels great to have that support,” Osiris said.

 

To date, he says he’s reached out to seven different squash coaches.

 

“I like to message the coaches every two weeks, letting them know how things are going,” Osiris said. “I tell them how academics are going and how my squash game is improving.” 

Osiris has also had the opportunity to visit two schools in person so far. He’s been to Hobart & William Smith Colleges and Vassar. He spoke with the Assistant Coach at Hobart and has remained in touch. 

 

He traveled to Vassar with Thomas and also had the opportunity to get on court with one of their players. 

 

“We met all the squash players and they were super welcoming,” Osiris said. “They drove us around the campus explaining all the buildings.” 

 

Osiris also had conversations with the Vassar coach about what would be required in order to make the squash team.

 

“He said if we can take five AP courses throughout our high school career, he can make something happen,” Osiris said. “Vassar is very academically competitive.” 

 

Osiris also says that the coach schedules practices around everyone’s class schedule to ensure that everyone is able to stay on top of their schoolwork. 

 

He says one thing he’s learned about this process is that he could potentially get scholarships if he pursues college squash.

 

“All these college squash schools are really good schools,” Osiris said. “I always thought I’d end up at the worst school, not because of grades, but because they’re really expensive. But I’m realizing how much college squash could do for me both financially and academically.” 

 

He adds that this process has been very motivating for him as well. 

 

“Every time I feel like giving up in school or something, I always think about college,” Osiris said. “The schools are very academically competitive and they prioritize junior year over all the other years. So I have to push myself until the end.” 

 

Greenstein notes that it’s important to get students started on this process as early as possible as it will definitely be a benefit in the long run. 

 

“Not all of our kids will get recruited to college squash teams,” Clara said. “But going through this process is making them take their academics more seriously and that’s something that I’m celebrating regardless of squash results.” 

 

“By educating our students about this process, even if it might not be the right path for everyone,” Schickerling added, “it’s giving them multiple pathways that they can follow.”