After a lengthy interview process, Harvard University has hired Mike Way as their next coach of the men’s and women’s squash teams. Way, longtime coach of former World No. 1 Jonathon Power and also Graham Ryding, took the helm at Harvard in early September.
After arriving in Cambridge (MA), Way said, “It’s going to be a huge change (from private coaching). I’ve just completed day four and there’s two things I can already say about this job: I’ve met only terrific people here, and the two teams—the attitude of these young people—I’ve just been so impressed with them. More than anything, that’s the exciting part.”
Way knew some of the Harvard players before arriving, either having coached them in summer camps or privately, but with nearly 35 players comprising the two teams, there are many he did not.
While the route taken by Way to become the Crimson coach may have been lengthy, the fact that the position was available at all was not without controversy last spring when Satinder Bajwa, coach for 11 years, was let go. Accusations that his ouster was racially motivated were bandied about, while Harvard claimed it was simply in the best interest of the squash program that had not won a men’s national title since Trinity began its 12-year run. The controversy was all the more vocal since the coaching change came on the heels of the Harvard women winning the national championship, and both the men’s and women’s individual national championships were won by Harvard players—Colin West and Laura Gemmell.
But Way is very aware that he has inherited good teams, including Gemmell who is only a sophomore. “We can’t get going full speed until October 15, but I am setting a tone and a direction,” said Way. “At the end the day it’s about a bat and a ball and you’ve got to be fit and mobile. We’re still dealing with young, elite athletes, and as long as they’re motivated to still improve, that’s got to be the biggest factor (going forward).”
On November 19, the Harvard men and women will play their first match of the year against Brown, and that will be the first college match Way has been to. “Another first for me,” Way said. “I’ve heard about how rowdy it gets, and I’ve done some work with Paul Assaiante who I’m proud to call a friend. I’m sure I’m dreaming about doing all sorts of things that aren’t going to work, but what the heck, I’ve hit the ground running and I’m going to get on with the job.”
