US Squash has launced the U.S. Squash Foundation to drive initiatives for the growth of the game within the United States.
The Foundation’s launch signifies a expansion for US Squash while providing the sport a philanthropic organization solely focused on growing the sport. The Foundation also allows US Squash to engage and recognize benefactors while ensuring a financial foundation for the governing body. Over the last decade, US Squash has more than tripled the number of junior players competing nationally, opened the Arlen Specter US Squash Center and led the successful international campaign for Olympic inclusion.
“US Squash has driven squash’s growth trajectory with increased player participation, a national center in the Arlen Specter US Squash Center and Olympic inclusion in the LA28 Games,” said Ned Edwards, who will serve as the inaugural executive director of the foundation. “Now, the U.S. Squash Foundation is the next crucial step to ensure squash has a strong position alongside other burgeoning sports for many years to come.”
The inaugural initiatives of the foundation include developing courts that can be installed easily in schools, parks and public spaces; expand scholastic, collegiate and community squash programs nationally; provide coaching and training programs for players and advance the “Squash United Fund,” a unified funding resource for all U.S.-based organizations dedicated to squash.
“The recent successful conclusion of the campaign to secure the inclusion of squash in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles culminates a 15-year period of significant achievement for US Squash,” said Marshall Pagon, former chair of US Squash and inaugural chair of the foundation. “Today’s launch of the U.S. Squash Foundation is the logical next step representing the opening of a new chapter in the development of our sport and its national governing body – the creation of a foundation whose purpose is to serve as an inclusive “big tent” to support squash organizations and initiatives in attacking our sport’s most important strategic priorities.”