U.S. SQUASH held its first Annual Assembly at the University Club in Chicago (IL) in conjunction with the 2010 U.S. Open SquashChampionships. The Assembly was an opportunity for all squash constituencies to provide input to the Board of Directors and management on important issues involving the organization.
Highlights of the Assembly included a keynote address by Alex Gough, the CEO of the Professional Squash Association, who outlined the progress, as well as the challenges, facing the PSA. Other presentations were made by Danielle Maur, the head of Racquet Sports for Life Time Fitness and Steve Hall of Dunlop Sports. Maur presented programs that Life Time has used to make squash profitable for their fitness centers while Hall discussed the sales trends of squash equipment around the world and suggested the use of different style balls to both extend the playing careers of older players and also to get younger players interested in the game. These presentations sparked lively discussion and input from the attendees throughout the session.
The Annual Assembly portion of the weekend was highlighted by the “State of the Association” address given by U.S. SQUASH Board Chair Peter Lasusa. Lasusa outlined the structure of the organization and the vision the Board has for the organization moving forward. U.S. SQUASH CEO Kevin Klipstein followed with a managerial report regarding the programs and goals of U.S. SQUASH. Topical breakout sessions for officials, coaches and pros and District leaders wrapped up a weekend that also included networking breakfasts, lunches and social functions, including the opportunity for the attendees to watch the squash matches at the U.S. Open.
Several exciting announcements were also made at the Assembly, including the changes to the U.S. SQUASH Skill Level Championship structure, a sponsorship deal naming Dunlop as the official eye wear provider for U.S. SQUASH and the awarding of the President’s Cup to Eric Fast and the W Stewart Brauns Jr. Award to Danielle Maur.
The 2011 U.S. SQUASH Annual Assembly will once again be held in conjunction with the U.S. Open. Please look for dates and location to be announced soon at ussquash.com.
