In an event for the ages, METROsquash—the urban squash and education program for Chicago Public School students—hosted METROsquash with Sue presented by Comcast at The Field Museum on October 11 and 12. It was a magical two-day event showcasing squash to over 7,500 museum visitors and 1,000 Chicago Public School students. “It is great to see students introduced to the non-traditional sport of squash and to a program that extends the day for our public school children in important ways academically and athletically,” said Clare Muñana, Vice President of Chicago Public Schools and METROsquash with Sue Event Chair.
This unprecedented event featured a championship all-glass squash court center stage in one of the world’s premier cultural institutions next to Sue, the museum’s resident T-Rex, and the Fighting African Elephants. Visitors watched in awe as World No. 5 Natalie Grainger partnered with World No. 1 Amr Shabana, No. 8 John White and legends Peter Nicol and Jonathon Power to captivate the audience hitting volleys, drop shots and trick shots during youth clinics. These pros, who donated a large portion of their playing fees back to METROsquash, were joined by METROsquash Squash Director, Max Laverty, Chris Walker, Patrick Ryding, Greg Zaff and local Chicago pros, who inspired audiences with their expertise and love of the game. To round out the experience, METROsquash Academic Director, Christine Chitnis organized tours of the Evolving Planet exhibit and nutritional programming with organic chef Greg Christian.
The evening festivities showed off the METROsquash program and world class squash to over 1,000 individuals from Chicago’s corporate, foundation and squash communities. “Chicago has a great tradition of civic pride and engagement—to see such a turnout speaks to this city’s willingness to embrace the game of squash and its potential to impact Chicago’s youth,” said Jackie Moss, METROsquash Board Chairman.
With Chicago vying to become the host city for the 2016 Olympic Games and squash seeking Olympic inclusion, the event could not have been a better stage to impress Chicago and the world with the diversity, excitement and athleticism the game has to offer. USOC staff member, Alicia McConnell, and World Sport Chicago CEO and Olympic gold medalist, Mike Conley, joined US Squash CEO, Kevin Klipstein, to make the case for squash and the city of Chicago.
On Thursday night—hosted by ESPN’s Lester Munson—with over 350 adults and children in attendance, Natalie Grainger relinquished just 14 points as she took down four of Chicago’s best male players, before Power conquered Nicol in straight sets during the Legends Challenge.
On Friday night—hosted by CBS TV’s Antonio Mora—more than 500 cocktail-attired table guests watched White trump Shabana three games to one in an exciting and artful display of world class squash. Both evenings, the winners were awarded massive dinosaur bones to hold high above their heads—while the runners-up were thrown a smaller bone!
From raising awareness about squash to generating substantial operational and developmental funds for the program, METROsquash with Sue was a rare, once-in-a-lifetime experience. David Kay, METROsquash’s Executive Director, was thrilled with the results, “This event puts METROsquash center stage in Chicago and demonstrates that urban squash programs can have a significant impact, not only in the future of the game of squash, but also in public education nationwide.”
For more information on METROsquash please visit www.metrosquash.org.
