While the 2008 Miller Zell U.S. Squash Championships this past March in Atlanta featured many of America’s finest players competing on the national stage, the tournament also featured the presentation of the John D. Moore Award. The John D. Moore Award is one of U.S. Squash’s most prestigious honors and it was only fitting that it is awarded at U.S. Squash’s most prestigious tournament of the year. The award itself is given to one individual for sportsmanship, competitiveness, and a lifetime of contributions to the game. This year, the John D. Moore Award was presented to Brian Dyson.
Brian Dyson’s leadership in the squash community stems from the 14 years that Dyson spent as president of Coke USA and later, Coca Cola Enterprises. Dyson joined Coke in 1959 in his native Argentina and eventually rose all the way up to President in 1978. Dyson held this position until he left the company in 1992, only to return nine years later to the positions of Vice Chairman and COO. Using the resources available to him in Coca Cola and his connections with the Atlanta community at large, Dyson financially assisted the growth of the game in Atlanta and helped Atlanta become the squash hub of the southeast. He has been a leader in the squash community in Atlanta for many years, not only because of his financial assistance, but through his vocal support, encouragement, and general love of the game.
It is only fitting that at the first U.S. Squash Championships held in the southern half of the United States since 1998, that one of the pioneers of southeastern U.S. squash be awarded the John D. Moore Award. Brian Dyson is well deserving of this award, and we thank him for his service to the growth of squash in this country.
