“It is great to be able to compete at the highest level of college squash,” the team’s first head coach, and world-class squash player, John White said. “Our players have to be on top of their games and we as coached have to be on the top of our coaching game plans to give the players the best advantage when stepping on the court.”
While White is extremely excited to get this season underway, the team is still looking for some women’s squash players to join the club.
Of course women who would like to play, and compete at the Division I level, will be recognized as some of the top players in the country, but that is only one benefit White sees.
“The friendships players will make over a four year period will be something they have for a lifetime,” White said.
Drexel always produces competitive teams from the exceptional field hockey team to the always CAA contending men’s and women’s basketball teams, the universities commitment to athletic excellence is something that White is excited to be a part of.
“Drexel has a great name at the Division I level,” White said. “It is a great privilege to start a new varsity program in a department that treats their student athletes like true sportsmen and women.”
The recently released schedule for this inaugural season will have the Dragons competing with some great opponents. The team has dates with Haverford College, the United States Naval Academy, Johns Hopkins University, Brown University, Swarthmore College and rivaling University of Pennsylvania.
“I am really looking forward to all of the matches,” White said. “The experience the team will get competing this year will be the best thing we can get out of our first season.”
Alongside the creation of the Drexel squash program and the announcement of the schedule, Drexel was, and will also be the epicenter of the national squash world this week as they are set to host the U.S. Open Squash Championships, one of the premiere events in the squash world. The open will last from Sep. 30 to Oct. 6 and will be held at the DAC on squash courts built especially for this competition.
“This just proves how well the University and the athletics department love their sports love their sports,” White, who will compete in the event, said. “To get the U.S. Open here on campus is wonderful and will bring something special to the university and the sports community here in Philadelphia.”
Students should definitely make their way to some of the matches to check out the intense, fast-pace sport that is squash.
Of course, watching is never quite as fun as playing, and White and his staff are trying to spread the word about Drexel squash and rally some women to join.
“If you enjoy a team atmosphere and love a good work out, you should come try this great game,” White said. “You will never lose the love of the game once you start playing.”