By Nathan Dugan, Squash Director at the Cleveland Racquet Club
North East Ohio Squash Racquets Association (NEOSRA), like most squash communities in the USA, initially felt the impact when switching from the hardball to the softball version of squash. Once active playgrounds, Country Clubs became mere memories, replaced by dusty darkness. Those clubs that made the switch combined with energetic Pros who were keen to spread the new game, laid down the foundations for the growth of squash we see in Greater Cleveland today.
The Thirteenth Street Racquet Club, owned by Ham Biggar, was the first community in downtown Cleveland that embodied hardball doubles, singles and softball singles all under one roof. When it closed in the late 90’s, its members dispersed to the east side joining, primarily, the Cleveland Racquet Club or the Cleveland Skating Club. Australian Scott Denne, Pro at the Racquet Club at that time, welcomed the influx of members and set about growing a junior program, thus securing a future for squash in Cleveland.
Squash participation and squash courts are on the rise again in Cleveland. The Tavern Club, Wellness Works, University School, CASE, Cleveland State University and the Racquet Club have all added singles courts in recent years with The Tavern Club and the Racquet club each adding a new doubles court to their facilities. Pro events in town are also on the rise. For the past two years the Tavern Club has annually held an ISDA doubles event, while the Racquet Club has hosted “The Burning River Classic,” a WISPA women’s pro event. Squash pros are also at an all-time high in the community and bring with them an international flair that is helping to drive forward the squash resurgence. Long-time Cleveland Pro, Pakistani Gul Khan, is active in the downtown area as is Canadian Ian Sly (Tavern Club). Kiwi Ray Lindsay is based at the Skating Club and Englishman Nathan Dugan directs the program at the Racquet Club, assisted by Aussie touring pro Tony James.
For a relatively small squash community, Cleveland has a number of noteworthy mentions. Six juniors from the Racquet Club program progressed to the quarterfinals or better at both the U.S. Junior Open and the U.S. junior Nationals, with Amy Smedira winning the girls U15 division at the nationals. Racquet Club member Jack Herrick retired from his role as Chairman of the PSA Board after 14 years in the position. The Cleveland Open, in December, is the flagship of Cleveland’s amateur events; divisions include doubles and singles for all levels.
In 2007, after eight years as NEOSRA chair, Ham Biggar retired from his role to make way for a new era under the guidance of Mike Shaughnessy. At this juncture in Cleveland’s squash history, the name of the organization also changed to Greater Cleveland Squash. The goals of the newly elected board, with the help of teaching professionals, are to continue with growth in amateur play, schools participation, and adding more courts to the area. Also high on the agenda is to bring an Urban Squash program to Cleveland in the fall of 2009.
