A game long appreciated for its intensity and precision is undergoing a transformation in the U.S. Look no further than the results at the British Junior Open this week. US Squash, led by CEO Kevin Klipstein, is redefining the sport’s reach, ensuring it thrives in schools, communities, and professional arenas across the nation. Through innovation, strategic partnerships, and a clear focus on accessibility, the organization is pushing squash into new territories: both figuratively and literally.
Twenty years ago, few Americans recognized squash as anything more than a vegetable. According to Klipstein, awareness was dismal. “A brand study showed that 90% of people globally knew squash; in the U.S., it was 10%,” he said. Two decades later, that equation is shifting.
A Foundation Built on Inclusivity
At the center of this evolution is the Community Affiliate Program, a network that incentivizes squash facilities to open their doors to the public. Klipstein explains its origin: “We had a small yet critical role in supporting Portland Community Squash’s journey to where it is today, and used this a the model, where they started with a converted racquetball court made possible through a grant we provided. From there, they built a facility hosting community-based memberships and deep education programs.” This approach isn’t a one-off experiment. It’s a blueprint.
For private clubs that embrace middle and high school training programs, the affiliate status comes with perks: discounts, grants, and a recognition that they’re part of something bigger. “We’re creating a mindset,” Klipstein said. “A belief that we all have to make the sport more accessible. Squash and education programs nationally and their embrace of broader community programs have been critical in this regard.”
Breaking the Infrastructure Barrier
The cost of squash courts is daunting, but US Squash is dismantling that obstacle piece by piece. Traditional courts are expensive to build and maintain, often pricing out schools and community centers. US Squash’s solution? Modular, flexible courts that cost less than $50,000 with easy, quick assembly within a day, and can be moved just as quickly.
“We’re investing in prototypes for indoor and outdoor courts,” Klipstein said. “These can pop up in spaces with 22 by 33 feet and 19-foot ceilings. It’s about reducing cost, increasing availability, and visibility.” The first of these modular courts will debut in Chicago this spring, in partnership with the PSA Foundation, with planning in the works to potentially expand to Los Angeles and Philadelphia, US Squash’s home.
The Scholastic Revolution
Beyond facilities, US Squash has redefined how young players engage with the sport. Scholastic squash, once the domain of New England prep schools, now thrives across 22 states with over 200 teams. “When I started, junior squash was about tournaments,” Klipstein said. “Now, most kids play on middle and high school teams. It’s a health indicator for the sport.”
With plans to regionalize competitions and feed them into national high school championships, US Squash is building a ladder that any child can climb, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status. And for those too young for full-court play, the organization is working on introducing equipment scaled for children, ensuring that the game fits the player, not the other way around.
Collegiate Opportunities
As participation in junior squash has exploded, the opportunities to compete in college have also expanded dramatically. US Squash are close partners to College Squash Association (CSA) which oversees competition among the more than 60 varsity teams that actively recruit among the junior players. The number of club programs has increased rapidly in the last decade to accommodate the surge in student-athletes interested in competing in college. “Most people don’t realize that the majority of collegiate athletes in all sports compete at the club level,” Klipstein noted. “If you’re interested in competing in college squash, there’s almost certainly a place for you at a high caliber educational institution.”
Furthermore, US Squash has long been ahead of the curve in promoting gender equity. The organization introduced equal prize money at the U.S. Open in 2013, a move that forced the global squash community to follow suit. “Within two years, all the major tournaments elevated prize funds, and the men’s and women’s tours merged,” Klipstein said. “We’re also proud of our role in supporting the CSA’s governance transition, bringing the women’s and men’s associations together, and professionalizing their operations.”
Health Benefits: A Sport for Life
Another benefit of squash for players of all ages is its enhancement of cardiovascular health, agility, and mental acuity. A 155-pound individual can burn approximately 844 calories during an hour of play, while a 180-pound person may expend around 981 calories. The sport’s dynamic movements—leaping, spinning, and sprinting—develop agility and coordination. Beyond physical benefits, squash fosters mental resilience through strategic play and quick decision-making. Its high-intensity nature also aids in weight management and muscle strengthening, making it a holistic exercise choice. As Klipstein noted, “Squash is a sport you can grow with. It offers not only fitness but a lifetime of health and community.”
The Olympics and the Road Ahead
Squash’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could be the sport’s watershed moment in the United States. Klipstein is pragmatic about the opportunity. “Being in the Olympics will increase awareness leading up to the Games and after,” he said. Awareness, though, is only one piece of the puzzle.
The other? Availability. Whether through the Community Affiliate Program, modular courts, or initiatives like outdoor squash, the goal is to make the sport as accessible as any other more mainstream sport. Klipstein sums it up: “More awareness. More availability. The sport is sticky once people try it.”
Squash, at its core, isn’t just about hitting a ball against a wall. It’s about the community it builds. “Along with our partners at College Squash, we’ve embraced the mantra that squash gives you character, career, and community,” Klipstein said. “It’s a great network with lifelong health benefits.”
Events like this month’s Tournament of Champions, held annually in Grand Central Terminal, exemplify this ethos. “It’s the best billboard you could ever make for the sport,” Klipstein said. “The crowds, the energy—it’s uniquely New York.”
Squash is redefining its role in sports, emerging as a game for everyone. Under Klipstein’s leadership, US Squash is breaking down barriers with determined focus. Modular courts will bring the game to new spaces. Community programs are fostering inclusivity and growth. Gender equity initiatives, scholastic and collegiate expansion are building a diverse and vibrant future for the sport. The foundation is strong, the vision clear: squash for all, one rally at a time.
As Klipstein says, “It’s easy to play, impossible to master. The best sport you’ve never heard of—yet.”
A Founders Press and SM Staff Collaboration