About CASA
The mission of the Cambridge Area Squash Alliance is to expand the sport of squash to public school students in Cambridge, Arlington, and surrounding area public schools.
Why Squash? (Our Story)
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. In match play and tournaments, squash’s unique system of peer refereeing promotes sportsmanship and helps build new friendships. 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.
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 area teams has made it historically difficult for public school students to participate. However, this is changing! Squash is an increasingly popular youth sport, and US Squash is actively promoting its growth in public schools.
Milo Miller fell in love with squash at age 11 because, “the angles!” When he learned that MA Squash was willing to help us start a new public school team, he immediately said, “Let’s do it.” He wanted his friends to be able to try his favorite sport, or “at least know it’s not just a vegetable.” A few days later, he had obtained the support of Harvard Squash’s varsity coaches, interest from kids on the tennis team, and an Arlington parent/player/coach who was willing to help out. Later came support from Naji Khan, local squash pro and CRLS alum, as well as Tom Arria, CRLS’s athletic director, and Lisa Putukian, president of MA Squash. So we ran with that! We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from the local squash community.
With its inclusion in the 2028 L.A. Summer Olympics, squash is poised to enter the world stage, and its profile, appeal, and popularity will undoubtedly grow. We hope our programs will help to diversify the sport and improve its accessibility and visibility in our local communities.
Our Goals
Short Term Goals
- to establish a Squash Club program at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS)
- to establish a public school squash team comprising students from Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS) and Arlington High School (AHS)
- to compete this winter season (’24-’25) against area public/private school squash teams, including Wellesley, Brookline, Concord-Carlisle, Acton-Boxborough.
- to increase accessibility to squash, bring more kids on to the courts, and grow awareness, interest, and love of the sport.
Long Term Goals
- to establish JV and Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ squash teams at CRLS and Arlington HS, similar to the thriving program at Brookline High School.
- to make squash widely accessible to all area public school students, and ensure that any public school squash player who would like to play on a team will be eligible for one.
- to support other area schools in establishing their own public school squash teams.
- to increase accessibility to squash, bring more kids on to the courts, and grow awareness, interest, and love of the sport.
Our Progress
(scroll right on mobile)
Need | Details | Progress (11/11/24) |
|---|---|---|
Courts | 3-4 courts for 1-2 hours, 3-5x/week | Obtained approval and support from Harvard Varsity coaches to use Harvard Murr courts. Signed contract with reservations department. |
Coaching | coach + assistant(s) | Naji Khan, Ali Merchant, w/Andrew Frishman. Experienced players will also assist in coaching novice players. Ali Merchant is an Arlington HS parent who has served as assistant coach of the MIT Varsity Squash team. Naji Khan is a former pro player and current squash pro at Cambridge Athletic Club. He is also a CRLS alum. |
Players | 7 players/match. Roster of 10-16 players. | Milo and Abbas are recruiting players. Students have played together for fun. Announcing new club/team and expanding outreach/recruitment. Open houses scheduled. |
Funding | MA Squash and US Squash will provide some start-up funding. We can also hold a fundraiser. | |
Athletic Director Support | Tom Arria (CRLS) | Tom assisted with establishing CRLS Squash Club. Club status has been approved. |
Parent Liaison | Tien-Yi Lee, Andrew Frishman (CRLS), Ali Merchant (AHS) | |
Transportation | for away matches | Parent carpools |
Equipment | racquets, safety glasses, court shoes, balls | Ask for donations. Players on the roster will be expected to have their own equipment. We will help provide for any player in need. |
Matches | to be scheduled | We have coach contacts for area school squash teams. Matches scheduled with Wellesley, Brookline, Acton/Box, Concord Carlisle. To try: Needham, Lincoln-Sudbury, SquashBusters, BB&N, Beaver Country Day, St. Sebastian |
Outreach | to do | Need to try: FOCA, CRLS DYK Newsletter, Parent Square, CPSD listserv, MA Squash newsletter, area coaches/clubs/juniors programs |
Community Support | We have support from important members of the squash community, including: Steve Lantos, MA Squash's commissioner of public school squash; Mike Way, Hameed Ahmed and Luke Hammond, coaches of Harvard Varsity Squash; Lisa Putukian, president of MA Squash; Gary Gargan, Squash West pro, Assistant Coach of Tufts Squash, coach of Acton/Boxborough and Concord/Carlisle HS club teams; Ron Rubin, coach of Brookline HS teams; Maija Rojas, president of FOCA (Friends of Cambridge Athletics). |
About Us
Milo Miller is a 9th grader at CRLS. He fell in love with squash because “the angles!” and it’s “like tennis + chess but way more fun.” He believes more kids should have access to the sport, or “at least know it’s not just a vegetable.” Milo is a MA top 10 player in his age division and competes on the junior tournament circuit. When he’s not playing squash, he’s playing the piano in chamber groups, big band jazz ensemble, and competitions.
Abbas Merchant is a 9th grader at Arlington HS. He is excited about introducing the exhilarating game of squash to more kids. Abbas is a MA top 10 player in his age division and competes on the junior tournament circuit.
Tien-Yi Lee is a CRLS parent who can barely swing a racquet but now knows far more about junior squash than she ever thought possible. In her professional life she is a graphic/web designer and writer, as well as a published author.
Naji Khan 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 also a CRLS alum and an ardent supporter of public school squash.
Ali Merchant is an Arlington HS parent/coach/volunteer and active 5.0+ squash player. He formerly served as assistant coach for the MIT Varsity team.
Andrew Frishman is a CRLS parent/volunteer and former college varsity player and juniors coach.
Jonathan Henke is a CRLS parent/volunteer and former player/coach.
Contact Us
We welcome questions, inquiries, new players, volunteers, support and enthusiasm!