EA squash players, past and present, gathered to celebrate the legacy of Episcopal Academy's squash program on Saturday, February 9.
A newly-released book titled, A History of Squash at The Episcopal Academy, was also unveiled. The book was written by author Rob Dinerman.
The dinner and celebration was held at EA's state-of-the-art Madeira Squash Pavilion and Fenimore Honor Hall. "What a perfect night and venue to celebrate the impact EA players have had on high school squash nationwide and the impact that Episcopal, their coaches, and teammates, had on them." said Director of Alumni Engagement Lauren Berry Maloney '10.
Mr. Dinerman's book chronicles the decades of EA's squash success, which includes four boys' and one girls' National High School Championship and 42 Inter-Ac Championship wins. With the help of Palmer Page '68, Mr. Dinerman spent countless hours interviewing EA squash alumni and coaches for the book.
The evening included remarks by John Nimick '77, Todd Harrity '09, Tim Kent, Hon., Lauren Patrizio Xaba '97, and Mr. Dinerman.
"Squash and competing have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember," remarked two-time National Champion and world-ranked player Todd Harrity. "I have evolved and grown to have a different perspective on what truly matters than what seems to matter."
After several years on the professional tour, Todd explained he started to lose the joy of playing the game, eventually concluding, "What seems to matter is not what actually matters most." Reflecting on his years at Episcopal, "I am reminded of Episcopal's school motto, Esse Quam Videri, To Be, Rather Than to Seem to Be," said Todd. "I think it is the best motto a school can have, and I am proud to be a part of Episcopal Academy, a part of the school's very impressive squash history, and I am most proud because of the things that truly matter, the experiences of winning and of losing and the friendships I have made through the experiences I shared with my teammates over the years, and all of these things are reasons to celebrate."
Tim Kent coached the boys' varsity team for 15 years. "The nature of squash is inescapably one-on-one," explained Mr. Kent. "The legacy of playing squash at Episcopal, however, is that your individual efforts are elevated to a more meaningful level. You are, at Episcopal, always part of something larger, something greater than yourself." Mr. Kent pointed out, "Victory is never solo. Your win, no matter how monumental, is meaningless unless combined with those of your compatriots. And that battle that's taking place on court one is no more meaningful than the battle you wage on court nine."
A handful of members of the current varsity squash teams attended the event. Mr. Kent directed his concluding remarks to them.
"Take a careful look around you. Recognize that you are a part of a remarkable legacy. When you wield the racquet under the EA banner, you are carrying on a tradition in which excellence is measured not by your win/loss record, but by the way you conduct yourself both on and off the court," said Mr. Kent. "When you play for a team, the entire experience is far richer, far more rewarding."
"Some of the country's top-ranked squash players have made their mark on EA squash," shared Athletic Director Gina Buggy, Hon. "Reuniting so many talented players, their families, and coaches in the shadow of our home courts made for an incredible evening and celebration."
A copy of A History of Squash at The Episcopal Academy can be ordered here.
