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Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Thursday Nov 19, 2020
Alix Williams is a passionate squash player who is a late bloomer to the game. After having three children, finding a new hobby to throw herself into was Top of Mind. As luck would have it, a beginner Squash clinic at her club emerged at a fortunate time. Although its was “Google” that helped her learn the rules, she became fully addicted between the new ways she could challenge herself oncourt as well as the amazing community of other women players.
It is clear from the conversation that Alix is a great ambassador at her club, and shares how much her coaches shaped her excitement and love for the game. She recognizes that not only has she found a lifelong sport but it has opened the door and allowed her to network and grow her firm as well as her husband’s businesses.
Between watching the Pro’s on Squash TV and learning this new world of squash, Alix was inspired to put pen to paper and launch a squash focused website. Combining her writing, research, interview skills, to craft modern squash stories published on The Show Court or put another way, "Squash, Freshly Squeezed" as she’s coined, appropriately reflecting of her style and approach.
We wanted to learn more about HOW she crafts these stories and gather her fresh perspective…so We dive into her writing process on how she chooses the topics and the people she features. However, something we know for sure is that she observes and tells her story with a raw, and authentic perspective. Additionally, she feels a rhythmic link between her process of writing and being on court which really shows through in her stories.
Alix’s energy and personality are infectious, and we are so fortunate to have a new comer to the sport, here to re-write its future!
We hope that you enjoy our latest conversation and don't forget to check out Alix's website at TheShowCourt.com
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This episode of Squash Radio sponsored by ProSportLED – the most advanced lighting technology for sports.
Music for Squash Radio by Bensound.
If you have an interesting story you think our audience needs to hear, feel free to reach out to us on social media or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Thursday Nov 12, 2020
Chanel Erasmus is a true squash fanatic, and a South African native who travelled to America to pursue her passion for the game.
Networking with other players helped bring awareness of the opportunities that were available across the pond. Playing squash in college was a first step in creating a career for Chanel. It was because of these relationships that she believes her life is where it is today. So Chanel continues to be an advocate on how important positive and continued connections within the sport can be.
A multi-sport athlete, Chanel has been a jack of all trades in the sports avenues. A strong competitor in everything she takes on, she played three different sports in college and managed to excel at her academics as well. After graduating, she was hired to coach at The Hill School, a top tier boarding school in Pottstown, PA. Not only is she the Director of Squash but also is the Donor Relations Officer.
When it comes to squash, it takes a high energy individual to play the game at a top level. Chanel's enthusiasm goes ever-further, as she's MC'ed events and continues to stay involved by running Junior events and helping at high level professional events such as the TOC. Learning more about Chanel's acting background and love for theater, we can see how these roles compliment each other at both tournaments and the "stage court".
Chanel wears so many hats in the community and is definitely making her mark in the squash world. We hope you enjoy learning more about this great player who is making it her mission to give back to the sport!
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We are always looking for new stories and love your help! Squash Radio has already shared some audience stories but we are always looking for more. Reach out to us on any social media app or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Music brought to you from: www.bensound.com
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
Thursday Nov 05, 2020
For some quick background on our guest in this episode, here’s a quick overview,
Hope Prockop is one of the most remarkable women involved in the Sport of Squash in the United States. At her core, Hope is the ultimate competitor and uses that drive to propel her through all avenues of the Sport. Now, what make Hope so remarkable? Hope has been involved in the sport in so many wide ranging ways.
As you learn through out conversation, Hope was a Top Junior player who then went on be a Top ranked College player both in Team and Individual rankings while attending Harvard University.
After college, she continued to work on her game to be a part of Team USA, representing the red, white and blue at the World Team Championships and Pan-American Fed Cup. Her focus and drive extended into Master’s level squash, winning four British Open Master’s and placing top three at the World Master's Championships.
After Coaching for a while, Hope decided to explore another avenue of the sport, which is so crucial and often neglected. That is the role of an Official (or Referee.) Similar to other sports, there are different levels but in quick order, Hope has risen to the highest level, sitting in the hot seat for Men's World Team Championships, U.S. Open and College Nationals.
Hope is the ultimate blend of a being a cheerlead, super-fan and competitor. When, she is not found on the squash courts, Hope takes to the ice, court or field to serenade Stadiums with the National Anthem like she did at Fenway Park for the Redsox’s.
Hope is a dynamic person, who throws her energy into every situation, be it a one-on-one conversation, Coaching, playing or helping others to do the same.
Enjoy the conversation!
***************************************************************We are always looking for new stories and love your help! Squash Radio has already shared some audience stories but we are always looking for more. Reach out to us on any social media app or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Music brought to you from: www.bensound.com
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
For some quick background on our guest in this episode, here’s a quick overview.
Lauren Patrizio Xaba is the Executive Director & Founder of SquashDrive, the Squash & Education Alliance program based out of Oakland, California. Lauren has been at the helm since 2009, leading the program to evolve & grow to increase their mission’s impact.
We cover a variety of topics from; what it's like navigating their core student-programing during a pandemic, how Lauren positioned herself to start Squash Drive and where the program is looking to break new ground in the sport….literally.
After College, Lauren launched her career in Marketing working at companies like Comcast & JP Morgan Chase, before coming to a decision point on what to do next. When these crossroads happen, like many others, Lauren reached back to her roots and decided to explore how squash could make an impact in people’s lives.
Today, Lauren and the SquashDrive Board of Directors are embracing innovative thinking to be the first SEA program to have outdoor courts! The outdoor concept started as “wouldn’t this be great to have” but during Covid times, the conversation gave new perspective to the need and urgency.
The growth of Outdoor squash has been a topic of discussion for many decades but only a handful of courts currently exist. There is a major growth opportunity in this area but we first need to connect the passion, people & resources for more projects to be successful.
Lauren has been on the West Coast for 15 years, but she is originally from Philadelphia and while attending University of Pennsylvania, she Captained the Squash Team.
It was a pleasure to have Lauren as a guest and we would love to hear from anyone who is looking to grow squash outdoors! We hope you enjoy the conversation.
***************************************************************We are always looking for new stories and love your help! Squash Radio has already shared some audience stories but we are always looking for more. Reach out to us on any social media app or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Music brought to you from: www.bensound.com
Wednesday Oct 21, 2020
Wednesday Oct 21, 2020
For a quick background on our guest in this episode, here’s an overview. We connect with Wendy Lawrence, who recently retired as the Division 1, Head Men’s & Women’s Squash Coach of George Washington University.
While Wendy is originally from New York City, she has made Washington, DC her home for over 40 years and her efforts have helped put DC on the Squash Map. Wendy distinguished herself amongst her peers with several leadership & sportsmanship awards but also developed the GWU Team as one of the college’s most successful Programs from a rankings perspective. One of the main impetus behind connecting with Wendy, was getting her thoughts on the announcement that has sent shockwaves through the Squash community with Top tier Colleges removing their squash programs from Varsity status, those schools include, Brown, Stanford & George Washington. Wendy has a unique perspective on these developments, as during her tenure, she was part of the Leadership Team that guided the College Squash Association through some big changes. Off the court, Wendy is someone I’ve always personally turned to for advice or perspective and it is a pleasure to collaborate with her on any project. We were honored to have Wendy as a guest, and we hope you enjoy our conversation!
***************************************************************We are always looking for new stories and love your help! Squash Radio has already shared some audience stories but we are always looking for more. Reach out to us on any social media app or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Music brought to you from: www.bensound.com
Wednesday Sep 02, 2020
Wednesday Sep 02, 2020
We talk with Renato Paiva, who is the CEO, or Executive Director of Access Youth Academy in San Diego, California. Access Youth is part of the Network of S-E-A, Squash Education Alliance, a non-profit After School Youth program, combing Squash training and Academic enrichment.
Renato, has been leading the charge in San Diego since 2007 and on top of his role with Access Youth, he’s been raising awareness for the sport on the West Coast to inspire more growth of Squash. One of his students, Reyna Pacheco, is an inspiring example of how a dedicated Coach can remarkably impact the trajectory of a person’s life and their family. As an undocumented immigrant, Reyna went from a novice squash player, to playing Varsity at Columbia before turning Pro. Reyna has since retired as Professional but moved onto the Financial sector working at Goldman Sachs.
This player/Coach story is now encapsulated in ‘Hollywood’ history, by Apple TV filming their story for the series Little America and highlights just one of the impactful stories Access Youth delivers for all students involved.
The dream for many programs like Access Youth Academy, is to have their own dedicated squash facility. In order to secure a permanent home in San Diego, Renato and the Board of Directors had to be resilient against the ups & downs, twists and turns that these projects usually endure before success. Essentially, Renato was deploying the same cores message he shares every day with his students “small things, every day, for a long period of time…that’s how change happens!”
And what does success look like? Millions of dollars raised, a $5.5 Million Grant from the City of San Diego, all towards building a home for this non-profit to help serve more students.
Before being Executive Director, he was originally from Brazil. As a junior squash player, Renato played for the Brazilian National Team. After graduating from college in Brazil, made the move the United States, Coaching at Harvard University before making the move out West.
Renato has boundless energy and channels it to drive the growth of Squash on the West Coast and propel the lives of his Student to a better tomorrow.
We hope you enjoy the conversation!
***************************************************************We are always looking for new stories and love your help! Squash Radio has already shared some audience stories but we are always looking for more. Reach out to us on any social media app or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Music brought to you from: www.bensound.com
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
Tuesday Aug 18, 2020
For some quick background on our guest in this episode, here’s a quick overview,
We talk with David Kay, who is the CEO of MetroSquash, a thriving non-profit After Squash Youth Squash program, based in Chicago. During his 15 years at the helm of METRO Squash, he’s helped raised millions of dollar, built an permanent 10 Million home for the program, including 8 Squash courts, office space & classrooms. They have expanded locations to include programs on both the North and South of Chicago. The Team David's works with has over 20 staffers, more than 100 volunteers, a 40 person Board of Directors with an Auxiliary board of 60 people.
All this is done, to help enrich the lives of more than 400 students. Most students join the program in middle-school, where MetroSquash Team (and Teammates) will be together through High-school, College and help launch their careers.
David is originally from Canada, and he rose through the the ranks of the Junior Squash. Earned a spot to attend Princeton University, where he helped them win a National Team Championship. After college, he continued to pursue Squash become a Teaching professional as well as Head College as well as soaring to World #2 on the Pro Doubles Tour.
David has always thrived on pushing himself through challenges which includes getting an MBA while working, in Karate getting the Brown belt, with black tips, traveling to all seven continent and even climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
David is a deep thinker and a doer who pours his energy into bettering himself and the others to help make the World a better place for MetroSquash Students, their parents, alums, the staff, volunteers, board member and auxiliary board.
We hope you enjoy the conversation!
We are always looking for new stories and love your help! Squash Radio has already shared some audience stories but we are always looking for more. Reach out to us on any social media app or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Music brought to you from: www.bensound.comFollow us on social media accounts for all the latest news or www.squashradio.com
Thursday Jan 25, 2018
Thursday Jan 25, 2018
In this episode we connect with James Dodson who launched his publishing career covering youth and poverty issues for Youth Communication and the RFK Memorial where he picked up the game. He’s devoted to using squash to enrich the lives of young people. And, in his new residence of Phoenix founded Arizona Squash, Inc. He’s partnered with Empower College Prep, Grand Canyon University and the Family Life Center at North Phoenix Baptist Church to support a largely multiethnic underserved community in the city’s West Valley.
James is no stranger as to what it takes to build a successful squash program, he is a Founding Board Member and Past Board Chair of Chicago’s MetroSquash. In 2005 MetroSquash was the first National Urban Squash initiative founded outside of the East Coast. In 2015, METROsquash raised $8 million and opened its primary squash and academic center near the campus of the University of Chicago to serve the program’s students.
This month Arizona Squash launched programing with its first class of students while undergoing a fundraising campaign to convert squash courts and recruit a full-time Executive Director. To learn more visit http://www.arizonasquash.org/
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We are always looking for new stories and love your help! Squash Radio has already shared some audience stories but we are always looking for more. Reach out to us on any social media app or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Music brought to you from: www.bensound.com Follow us on social media accounts for all the latest news or www.squashradio.com