Annual Dinner and 2003-04 in Review
The 2004 Annual Dinner
The 2004 BSRA Annual Dinner was held on April 21, 2004 at the Saturn Club. A little over 50 squash enthusiasts enjoyed the season's final event. Winners and finalists for all completed events were recognized and trophies/prizes were awarded. Achievements were recognized and 1 person was inducted into the BSRA Hall of Fame: Sally L. Russell
Rick Munschauer received the Junior Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to squash both on and off the court. Three monetary awards were made to juniors Tyler Buck, Craig Chircop and Elizabeth Demakos to be used towards attending a squash camp. Craig Chircop was voted the Most Improved Player.
Many thanks to those who helped organize the dinner and who helped during the season. Special thanks to Paul Dambmann for chairing the dinner event and to Sally Russell for her untiring effort in organizing the awards.
BSRA Progress Report
The governing body of local squash tournaments, leagues and events is the Buffalo Squash
Racquets Association. For 2003-2004, the BSRA Executive Committee consisted of:
Mike McGorry- President, Squash Fund Representative, Hall of Fame Chairman
Peter Ahrens-Secretary
James O’Brien- Treasurer
Ed Jocoy-Membership Secretary, Web Site Manager
Sally Russell- Newsletter, Junior Development
Peter Linder- Member Services, Squash Fund Representative
Paul Dambmann- Social Events Chairman, Jewish Center Representative
David Steffan-Saturn Club Representative
Rick Smith- T&S Club Representative
Bill Cleary- Buffalo Club Representative
Anne Denman- Women’s Representative
Phillip Scaffidi-League Coordinator
Daniel Drury- Junior Liaison
David Franko-Doubles League Chairman, Member Services
Edwin M. Johnston, III-member at large
Tom Sheehan-member at large
As of this writing, your BSRA organization has over 255 members, an increase of about 15 over last year.
Eight clubs including 3 schools are part of the BSRA. There are over 60 juniors in our membership attesting to the strong junior development program within the BSRA.
As noted elsewhere, the BSRA conducted or supported numerous tournaments and leagues in the 2003-2004 season. In addition, the BSRA maintains member rolls and a Web site www.buffalosquash.org, publishes periodic newsletters and maintains a Hall of Fame. As we continue trying to improve communications, it would be helpful if those having email would send any changes in their address to Ed Jocoy (ejocoy@aol.com).
Included in your BSRA dues is membership in the United States Squash Racquets Association. USSRA membership is required to play in sanctioned events where results contribute to national rankings maintained by the USSRA. In addition, USSRA members receive the monthly magazine Squash and have at their disposal all the resources of a national organization. The USSRA maintains a Web which includes tournament schedules as as well as national rankings. The USSRA Web can be reached through the links on the BSRA Web.
Many thanks are due all who have served, or are serving on the Executive Board and to all who contributed to BSRA and squash activities.
BSRA Hall of Fame
This is the fifth year the Buffalo Squash Racquets Association has inducted candidates into the Hall of Fame, honoring those of our squash community who have outstanding accomplishments in the game of squash racquets. These accomplishments include competition, leadership and a strong commitment to squash on a local or national level, and demonstrated sportsmanship and character both on and off the court.
Squash began in Buffalo around 1900 as a result of the athletic interests of a Howard Bissell and seems to have sprung from its initiation at the Philadelphia Racquet Club, according to highlights reported in the BSRA yearbook of 1955. In 1924, team competition was started between several clubs through the efforts of Lyman Bass, a name well known to us all through the annual Lyman Bass tournament.
Each year candidates are selected from all eras of squash in Buffalo beginning with the year 1900 for induction into the Hall of Fame. Our written Guidelines dictate that a three-person selection committee presents a slate of candidates in December to the BSRA Executive Committee for final selection. Any present or former BSRA member can also suggest a candidate.
Previous Hall of Fame inductees are, for the year 2000: Gordon Anderson, Bill Dann, Nelson Graves, Phil Harty, Charlie Jacobs, Seymour Knox, Seymour Knox III, Monty Pooley, Adrian Smith, and A. Warren Smith, Jr.; for the year 2001: Ed Jocoy, AL Molloy and George Goodyear; for 2002 Mike McGorry, Bob Hetherington and Harry Conlon, and for 2003 Peter Linder and Lou Schaefer.
This year the inductee is Sally L. Russell. A brief biography of the 2004 inductee can be found below.
Buffalo has a rich history of contributions and activity at all levels in the game of squash racquets. The Hall of Fame is a fitting and lasting honor to those who have contributed to that history.
Sally L. Russell
My interest in squash came by chance while waiting for construction of Racquetball courts to be built at the University Club in 1976. So while waiting for those courts to be built, I decided to take up squash in the interim. Little did I know, that picking up that squash racquet for the first time, would define my life for the next 25 years or so!
As one of the first women squash players to join the University Club after its devastating fire, a band of new women squash players slowly began to learn this fascinating new game, with the eager help and encouragement of my great squash pals Ed Jocoy and Phil Jacobs. It soon became apparent that this game of squash was becoming very intriguing and addictive. As I became familiar with the people associated with this game, I knew this was exactly where I wanted to be.
In the late seventies and eighties, squash was growing rapidly, and women’s squash was becoming an integral part of our squash community. A core group of women began participating and developing many events and tournaments throughout the next decade. We started the Great Lakes Regional Women’s Tournament which ran for seven years. We hosted the Women’s National “C” Singles Championship in 1983. For several years we represented our Great Lakes Region in the Women’s Howe Cup Tournament that has been held in New York City for the last half century. We also hosted many other regional events throughout the past 20 years.
During this time, there was a strong competitive group of women who tested my squash skills every time I stepped on the court. I managed to reach the finals three times, in 1978, 1979 and 1981, and finally won a championship in 1986. I am still playing squash today with that great group of women squash players.
My administrative work began early on as the Women’s Representative and Director of the City Leagues and Tournaments. As a representative on the Executive Board since l980, I have had the distinct pleasure of working with many of the prominent individuals who have shaped this squash community over the years, and made it the viable association that it is today. I am so lucky and proud to have worked with each and every one of these individuals (way to many to mention), and to have had the opportunity to be a part of that development.
My experience running and organizing women’s tournaments was the stepping stone to becoming part of the committees that brought the squash community such prestigious events as the National Doubles, Lapham Grants, the Invitational Doubles and World Doubles tournaments.
Through all these experiences, I have realized that one of the most enjoyable aspects of my squash experience has been the people and the wonderful friendships I have made along the way - they will be life long. And one cannot forget the parties and tournaments!! They certainly rank up there with the best of the best. Squash players are among the best partiers in the world. Who could ask for more - a great game of squash, great friends who love to have a good time, and a “bullshot” or two to round out the day. It’s a great life!
I am so honored to be named among my teachers, my mentors and my friends! Thank you for sharing this great game and the opportunity to serve the BSRA, it has been a great privilege.
Nicol v Walker Exhibition
Certainly one of the highlights of the year was the wonderful day of squash the BSRA hosted last September 6 when the world’s No. 1. Peter Nicol, played the World’s No. 11, Chris Walker, at the T&S. Eighty spectators saw the exhibition match, and 11 juniors had the thrill of their young squash lives attending the clinics. The day was memorable not just for the privilege of seeing squash played at its highest level, but also for the $8000 which was raised primarily for the Junior Squash Program. Many thanks once again to the generosity of the sponsors and the ticket holders. Both players really appreciated their great welcome while they were staying in town, and I believe after his workout in Buffalo it was no coincidence that Peter, the following week, went on to win the U. S. Open!
2003-2004 BSRA Tournament and League Champions
This year your BSRA sanctioned 15 tournaments and 7 leagues. The winners are listed below. Thanks to all who helped organize and run the events and to the clubs and schools for the use of their facilities.
KICK-OFF November, 2003
Lyman-Bass-Gordon Anderson
Kittinger/O’Conner-John Scannell
Schaefer Doubles-Nelson Montgomery/Bill Pearce
T&S IVITATIONAL DOUBLES November, 2003
Open-Jamie Bentley/Preston Quick
40+-Mike McGorry/ Mike Costigan
50+ Vic Harding/Sean McDonough
55+Tom Nederpel/Peter Hatcher
60+Tony Swift/ Maurice Hecksher
KNOX CUP January, 2004 at Cleveland
Cleveland-30
Buffalo-29
Pittsburgh-22
BUFFALO INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS January, 2004
Winners listed under junior achievements
CITY CHAMPIONSHIPS February- April, 2004
A Singles Craig Rappaport
B Singles-Charlie Barth
C Singles- Rick Munschauer
D Singles-Craig Chircop
Women’s Singles- Lauralynn Drury
40+ Singles Chris Hamill
50+ Singles-TBD
Open Doubles TBD
40+ Doubles TBD
50+ Doubles TBD
Women’s Doubles- A. Denman/A Bonte
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
A Singles- Not Held
B-Singles-Nichols-C. Barth, L.Drury, R. Munschauer
C Singles-Nichols- R. Munschauer, R. Gupta, J. Anderson, A. Hayes, A. Goldfarb
D Singles-Nichols- P. Marlette, M. Felser, A. Toenjes, N. Somanyaji, Joy, Jain, Celniker
Women’s Singles- Team 6-Sally Vincent, Jackie Rose, Ann Wolney
A Doubles-TBD
B Doubles-TBD
Women’s Doubles League-C Cummings/S.Russell
Shamrock Tournament March, 2004
A Singles- Chris Hamill
B/C Singles-Team of R.. Higgins, J. McCarthy, M. Bowen III, J.Powell, , P.Mancuso, C. Montante
Doubles: N. Montgomery/Chris Jacobs