CRLS Squash
CRLS Squash is a brand new squash program open to students at the Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. Students will learn the fundamentals of the game at weekly clinics taught by Naji Khan, a former world-class professional player and current squash pro at the Cambridge Athletic Club. This program is free to CRLS students* and will take place at Harvard University’s Murr Center**, home to Harvard’s top-ranked men’s and women’s varsity squash teams. Students in the CRLS Squash program are eligible to compete for the Cambridge-Arlington Squash Team. This is a unique opportunity for CRLS students to participate in a dynamic new winter club sport!
Season Dates: [ Dec 1, 2024 – Feb 14, 2025 ]
Days/Times:
Weds, 4-5:30pm
Fri, 4-5:30pm
Sat, 10-11:30am
Location: Harvard University’s Murr Center, 65 N. Harvard St, Boston (right across the JFK Bridge from Harvard Square)
All levels welcome, no previous experience required.
*Please note: space is limited! All students must be registered to be eligible for the program. Priority given to students interested in competing on the team, but please register even if you are interested only in playing for fun at “drop-in” sessions. Coaches will determine rosters and final number of players we can accommodate, and may assign players to different practice days/times as necessary.
**This is not a Harvard University event and is not controlled, presented, or supervised by Harvard University or any of its schools or programs.
Background
Squash has been called the “ultimate sports game.” Its fast-paced nature can help improve cardiovascular health, agility, and hand-eye coordination, and builds physical fitness, mental stamina, and discipline. Additionally, squash enhances strategic thinking as players need to adjust their tactics constantly during each game. Squash is a great game for high school students because it’s social, relieves stress (hit a ball against a wall, as hard as you can, it’s satisfying!), and most of all, it’s fun! An “all-ages” game, squash can help students establish a lifelong appreciation for physical activity. And with its addition to the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, squash’s popularity and visibility is on the rise!
Unfortunately, squash has often been considered an “elitist” sport due to its association with private clubs and private schools. Expensive lessons, limited court access, and lack of school teams has made it historically difficult for public school students to participate. By establishing this public school squash program at CRLS, we are excited to bring the exhilarating sport of squash to students from all backgrounds.
This program has been brought to fruition by our dedicated team of volunteer coaches, assistants, and parents. We wish to thank Tom Arria, CRLS Athletic Director, FOCA (Friends of Cambridge Athletics at CRLS), and the coaching team at Harvard University Squash, for their support of this initiative to bring squash to public schools.
"Not Just a Vegetable."
Open House / Info Sessions
Never played squash? Come try it out! We’ll provide loaner equipment.
FINAL OPEN HOUSE:
Fri, Nov 22, 4:15-6:15pm
Harvard Murr Center Squash Courts
65 N. Harvard St, Boston (right across the JFK Bridge from Harvard Square, next to Harvard Stadium)
Contact Us
We welcome questions, new players, volunteers, and enthusiasm.
Coaching
Naji Khan, head coach, is the squash pro and racquet sports director of the Cambridge Athletic Club. A former professional player, he has also worked at the Harvard Club of Boston, Back Bay Racquet Club, Waverley Oaks Athletic Club, Boston Racquet Club, and Boston Sports Clubs. Naji is a highly sought-after coach who comes from a long line of distinguished squash players comprising the world famous “Khan Dynasty of Squash.” He is passionate about bringing squash to public school students, and he is actually a CRLS alum!
Andrew Frishman is our assistant coach and financial manager. He is a CRLS parent and former varsity college squash player and juniors coach.
Contacts
Tien-Yi Lee is our parent liaison and program coordinator. Please direct any questions about the program to Tien-Yi via email.
Milo Miller (9th grade) is the CRLS Squash Club founder, player coordinator, and captain of the Cambridge-Arlington Squash Team. He is a MA top 10 player in his age division and competes on the junior tournament circuit.
Learn More:
Cambridge-Arlington Squash Team, open to members of the CRLS Squash Club.
Cambridge Area Squash Alliance (CASA), dedicated to promoting and expanding the sport of squash to area public schools.