Ryan Mack first heard about StreetSquash when a staff member visited his middle school. He joined the program as a 7th grader and stayed until his graduation in 2019. 

On his first day in the building, he was amazed to see such a large facility located in Harlem and learned about the sport of squash for the very first time. 

“That sense of initial wonder lasted for a few months,” Ryan said. “As I kept showing up, the initial awe transformed into a deep feeling of comfort and belonging, thanks to the people and the community. Specifically, James [Garner, Head of Maintenance] was a huge influence. He truly felt like a father figure, someone I could always count on for genuine advice and who looked out for me and my friends. His consistent support was a major part of what made me feel at ease so quickly.”

Ryan looks back fondly on the tournaments he competed in. 

“My most vivid memory is from my second season in 2015, when my team traveled to Harvard University for a tournament,” Ryan said. “We worked incredibly hard and ended up winning the championship for our division. That feeling of teamwork and accomplishment on a renowned college campus was unforgettable.”

He added that his consistent travels to Philadelphia for squash, also allowed him to form a stronger connection with his family. 

“A deeply memorable moment was a tournament in Philadelphia against Squash Smarts,” Ryan said. “My father, who lives in South Jersey, hadn’t been able to make it up to New York for my matches due to work. Being able to play in Philly allowed him to come and watch me compete for the very first time. StreetSquash’s commitment to travel not only broadened my horizons but also created the opportunity for my family to share in my experience.”

Ryan said the academic component of StreetSquash had a big influence on him as well. He said the College Access Department put things in a whole new light.

“The primary benefit was the exposure to higher education through the extensive college tours

and visits,” Ryan said. “These trips provided a tangible, inside look at what university life felt like.” 

He said StreetSquash opened his mind to a whole new world.

“Beyond the classroom, StreetSquash helped me gain a much larger perspective on the world,” Ryan said. “It showed me that New York is not the only place—that there are people from diverse backgrounds all over the world with different life philosophies. This helped me dramatically improve my social intelligence and open-mindedness, which I believe are two of the most critical life skills.”

Currently, Ryan is a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where he’s majoring in Computer Science/Information Security. He is minoring in mathematics. He’s set to graduate in December of this year. 

He previously worked as an intern at Microsoft where he focused on cloud servers and programming. 

“StreetSquash’s long-term mentorship and focus on professional skills definitely helped me secure and succeed in that internship,” Ryan said. “The discipline from squash, the exposure to

professional environments during travel, and the assistance with my resume and interview prep

all contributed to my confidence and readiness for a corporate setting.” 

He hopes to one day be a Director of Security Operations, in charge of protecting a large organization’s digital assets. 

Ryan says StreetSquash is the place to go to for students who want to get a step ahead in life.

“If you want a fair advantage in life, you need to join StreetSquash,” Ryan said.  “It’s not just a place to learn a new sport; it’s a place that guarantees you opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. You will get to travel the country, see the inside of the best colleges, and meet people who will become your network for life. You’re going to learn discipline on the court, and that discipline is what will get you to college. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain—especially a family that will have your back long after you graduate.”