2013-14 (2013-14 Season)
2012-13 (2012-13 Season)
2011-12 (2011-12 Season)
2010-11 (2010-11 Season)
2009-10 (2009-10 Season)
2008-09 (2008-09 Season)
2007-08 (2007-08 Season)
2006-07 (2006-07 Season)
The Stanford Squash Program was founded by a handful of enthusiastic undergrads in 1998. From that small core, the program has grown to include nationally competitive men's and women's teams, a club open to Stanford affiliates, a university-accredited class for beginners, junior squash camps, bay area tournaments, and a growing core of enthusiastic alumni. The program was entirely student run until August 2004, when Stanford Athletics appointed Mark Talbott, the greatest squash player in American history, as program director. Since Mark's arrival students have continued to be heavily involved in running day-to-day operations and shaping the program's future. Indeed, the program's broad scope and high level of student involvement makes it unique in the country and immensely rewarding for all involved. In Sept 2005, a seven court squash facility (including one three wall exhibition court) opened on campus in the new Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation. The new facility will enable Stanford Squash to expand its community outreach programs and host intercollegiate round robins. In that same month, Athletics announced that it would promote the women's team to varsity in 2005-2006, thereby creating the first varsity squash team west of the Mississippi.
Intercollegiate Team Vision Statement
The arrival of Mark Talbott, the recent completion of a new state-of-the-art, seven-court squash facility on campus and the promotion of the women's team to varsity status marks a period of exciting development for the intercollegiate teams. Under Mark's leadership, the teams intend to rise in the national rankings while still retaining the unique, student-driven character of Stanford squash. The hallmark of the program has always been, and will continue to be, hard-working, passionate players who contribute to the program both on the court and off the court. Mark plans to recruit top junior players, while continuing the Stanford squash tradition of finding athletic beginners on campus. Finally, intercollegiate team members will continue to strive for the optimal balance between squash and the rest of college life. Current and past team members have engaged in numerous university activities outside of squash-- including student government, Greek life, research, music, entrepreneurship, Stanford newspapers, and volunteer projects. Stanford squash is proud to have team GPAs that are consistently among the highest of all sports teams at Stanford.
Program Vision Statement
We believe that Stanford has a unique opportunity to be the hub of squash on the west coast. To that end, the program currently organizes local tournaments and a squash club for Stanford affiliates. In the near future, we hope to expand our community outreach programs to include a squash and tutoring program for disadvantaged youth, squash intramurals for Stanford students, a set of collegiate and recreational round robins, and a variety of clinics in our new facility. We hope that the success of the Stanford squash program will encourage other schools to form teams and we will continue our efforts to promote and compete against newly formed collegiate teams. What we've done so far
Coaching
In August 2004, the program fulfilled its dream of having a full time squash director when Mark Talbott arrived on campus. As a player, Mark was ranked #1 in the world for 12 straight years and won over 200 professional tournaments (including 70% of the tournaments he entered). As a coach, Mark led the Yale women to their first undefeated season in over a decade and a National Championship. In addition to his on court accomplishments, Mark is equally respected for his dedication to developing squash. In 1990, Mark founded the Talbott Squash Academy in Newport, RI-- now the premier squash training center in the US. The program is also fortunate to receive support and coaching from the trio of Richard Elliot, Jon Perry and Zan Feild. Richard and Jon are both nationally ranked professionals who offer level III coaching to the team and club, respectively. Zan is a Stanford alumnus who has been instrumental in developing the program and helping coach the teams.
Courts
In 1999, the program engaged in extensive dialogue with Athletics, encouraging them to renovate an aging deGuerre facility. As a result, the University constructed two glass-backed international courts and refurbished three existing American courts. Since then, demand for court time has far exceeded capacity. In 2001-2002, the program once again approached Athletics about improving Stanford's squash facilities. After an extensive needs assessment study, consultation with squash court companies and architects, and several proposals to Athletics (i.e. several thousand man-hours later!), we are pleased to announce the completion of seven glass-backed international courts in the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation.
Size of Program
The men's team has steadily improved its national ranking since its inception in 1998. From its second-to-last place ranking in that inaugural year, the men's team now boasts two division titles, the 2001 Barnaby Trophy for the nation's most improved team and a top finish of #18 in the country in 2004. Last season the men finished ranked #20 despite graduating four of its top five players. In addition, former men's team captain Rich Sherwood received the 2004 Skillman Award given annually to the most outstanding player and sportsman in men's college squash. The women's team, founded in 2001, moved up ten spots last year to finish ranked #19 in the country and will be a varsity team beginning in the 2006-2007 season. Club membership per year routinely runs between 100 and 200 people. With the new facility complete, the club is expecting to expand dramatically. For the broader bay-area community, Stanford holds two open tournaments per year with an average attendance of 50-60 players. In the past, the program has run a successful junior camp and would like to create a west coast version of the Talbott Squash Academy in the future.
