Squash Team Gets A New Coach

Fieldston’s squash program has taken huge steps forward this year. After a  “trial” first year that resulted in 4 matches played and a small taste of what playing squash was like, newly minted Athletic Director Gus Ornstein and fresh Squash Coach Alex Kam have set up 11 matches and completely revamped the squash program into a Varsity team and a developmental JV squad. In conversation with Alex, we talked about his immediate goals for the Fieldston squash program and goals for the future. His wants to develop “greater physical fitness [by] refining technical skills and match strategy.” Alex is trying to inject awareness about the sport into the Fieldston community. This year he wants to define his players’ success “not only by their improvement on court but also off court with tutoring,” by giving back to the team’s host, Street Squash Harlem.  Street Squash is a program that helps kids from neighborhood public schools with academic tutoring and squash instruction after school. Every Wednesday, both Varsity and JV help tutor the kids with their homework or help them prepare for tests or projects. As for long-term goals, Alex said that it is all about “putting Fieldston Squash on the map as a premier team that can compete.” This past week Wednesday the Varsity Fieldston Squash team made history and played its first ever match. Despite the loss, Fieldston put up a valiant effort against an experienced Poly Prep team who had an undefeated record last year.