When players from Thurgood Marshall Academy take the court in Philadelphia at the end of February, history will be made. It will be the first time an all-Black team will participate at U.S. High School Squash Nationals.

 

For nearly 25 years, Thurgood Marshall Academy has partnered with StreetSquash, a nonprofit after-school program that introduces our students to the sport of squash while providing academic support, homework help, one-on-one tutoring, college prep and mental health counseling completely free of charge.

 

 

Though our students have consistently competed in squash tournaments with StreetSquash, for the first time ever, during the 2022-2023 school year, TMA launched its own high school squash team comprised of StreetSquash participants currently attending TMA.

 

 

Previously, students at StreetSquash were unable to compete at the U.S. Squash High School Team Nationals because all StreetSquash has students from a variety of different schools in Harlem. But now because there is an additional team consisting of only students from TMA, these students are eligible to compete at High School Team Nationals.

 

 

In addition, given that in the U.S., most squash players are from wealthy caucasian families, the Thurgood Marshall Academy team will be the first ever all-Black team competing at the event.

 

 

High School Team Nationals will be taking place February 24-26 across multiple venues in Philadelphia. 

 

 

Some news outlets have taken notice of this historic achievement. You can view the news coverage below.