With the Arlen Specter US Squash Center set to formally open this October during the U.S. Open, members of Team USA, SquashSmarts and the junior squash community were able to step on court for the first time during a ‘beta-week’ focused on safely providing a pre-opening look, and collecting valuable feedback as preparations are made for the season ahead. US Squash anticipates the Specter Center—located in the heart of Philadelphia's University City and the construction of which was made possible in partnership with Drexel University—will gradually ramp up activity during a pre-opening phase throughout the summer.

"It feels we are reaching the crest of our first hill as the Specter Center construction nears completion," said Ned Edwards, Specter Center Executive Director. "In front of us is the entire array of programming ranging from brand new players to the world's finest—and everyone in between and all together. Now it gets really exciting!"

"I always tell people that I came back to work at SquashSmarts to be there for the next generation of students like my sixth grade self," said Quinetta Bowden, SquashSmarts Academic Director. "To be able to present this group of students with an innovative learning space that they deserve felt like a dream come true. Having been a part of SquashSmarts before we had a dedicated classroom space, we had only dreamed of having a place to call home. I look forward to bringing more alumni and new students into this space and sharing these experiences with them."
Bill Broadbent, the longest serving US Squash Board and Committee member, recently stepped down from his position on the Investment Committee following twenty-five years of service, and a pioneering philanthropic legacy that laid the foundation for the growth of junior squash, team squash, and squash and education in the U.S. over the last three decades.
The Junior Squash Awards Night will move to Wednesday, May 12 at 8:00pm EDT from its originally schedule date on May 5. The shift is being made in recognition of the current busy academic schedules of many student athletes, with the goal of allowing as many members of the junior squash community to join as possible.
The founder of the squash and education movement, Greg Zaff talks about the original business plan, the people and the values that inspired the creation of SquashBusters twenty-five years ago.


Malcolm Willstrop, one of the most influential coaches in the sport, passed away at the age of 83 following a battle with cancer Monday, May 3. Malcolm's son, James, revealed the news to the squash world in a social media post Tuesday, May 4. Listen to Willstrop's Outside the Glass episode from 2017 here.


Follow @SpecterCenter on Social Media
The Arlen Specter US Squash Center is now on social media! Follow @SpecterCenter for the latest news and updates from US Squash's new home in Philadelphia.




World No. 5 Amanda Sobhy spoke with the PSA World Tour following the announcement of the 2021 U.S. Open in October and what it would mean to win the Platinum title at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia. “To win a major on home soil and the fact that I live in the same city where the U.S. Open will be held is huge and it would just mean so much to me," Sobhy said.


The Head Pro sets the standard and serves as a leader to the squash professional instructors and staff-at-large. The Head Pro is an ambassador in a highly visible position and engages with members and guests to ensure an exceptional squash experience at the Specter Center.

Views From the Arlen Specter US Squash Center
Open? Not quite yet...

Junior players wait outside of the Arlen Specter US Squash Center prior to the first competition hosted at the facility—a ratings-based junior tournament held as part of beta-testing prior to its gradual opening over the summer.

The Specter Center is planned to open later this year and will feature eighteen singles courts and two hardball doubles courts. Developed in partnership with Drexel University, it will anchor the US Squash Community Affiliate Network and provide broad community access from its location in one of twenty-two federally-designated Promise Zone neighborhoods. The Specter Center will also house the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame, offer world-class high-performance training resources to Team USA athletes, serve as the US Squash national headquarters and operate a Learning & Innovation Center in partnership with SquashSmarts.