Squash Haven combines athletics and academics to build futures, offering New Haven youth squash training, tutoring, and college prep.
Serving up success
This multi-exposure image shows how much ground the Squash Haven players cover during a squash game.
The Brady Squash Center buzzed with activity. From its brightly lit courts, one could hear sneaker squeaks, human shouts, and the sharp thwacks of balls hitting walls. About 30 high-school students were warming up and doing drills as their coach paced between multiple courts providing instruction.
The students are part of Squash Haven, a non-profit, after-school program that introduces local children and teenagers to both the sport of squash and academic support. Through a longstanding partnership with Yale’s Athletics Department and squash teams, the program offers coaching, tutoring, mentorship, community service options, college prep, and career readiness.
Video by Jude Breidenbach.
The origin story
The program had a strong supporter in the late Dave Talbott, the former Brooks G. Ragen Director of Squash at Yale. Talbott, along with Herbert “Pug” Winokur Jr. and his daughter Annick Winokur, were the original forces behind this concept.
Two middle-school aged students rally during practice at Payne Whitney Gym’s Brady Squash Court.
“Dave Talbott believed deeply in using squash as a bridge to bring people together,” said Lynn Leong, the Brooks G. Ragen Director of Squash at Yale. “His passion, along with the support from Yale Athletics, provided Squash Haven a home here on our courts and has been part of the Yale Squash family since 2007. Today, we continue that legacy of building and maintaining a meaningful connection between Yale and the New Haven community.”
A student improves her backhand stroke during Squash Haven’s evening practice session.
Squash Haven is part of a broader network called the Squash and Educational Alliance, focusing on combining competitive squash with academic support, enrichment, and community service for young students in urban centers.
Squash Haven was still in its infancy when Julie Greenwood took the helm as executive director.
“In those early years, I really focused on building strong community connections, spending a lot of time with our students, and ensuring they and their parents felt supported and part of something bigger,” said Greenwood.
Leong, who joined Yale in 2017 and has been playing squash since the age of four, understands the opportunities that the sport can open for young children and lends her time off court, mentoring the Squash Haven students.
“I’m interested in finding out about them and what guidance they need. I see myself as an advisor, sharing suggestions and different ideas for them to consider as they navigate school and think about what’s next,” said Leong.
Successful program and partnerships
Squash Haven partners with over 30 New Haven public schools to recruit students for the tuition-free program. The rigorous selection process involves information sessions and tryouts. Accepted students commit to attend sessions several times a week throughout the school year for three hours and five weeks of summer programming.
After practice, the students walk over to Squash Haven’s classrooms for academic enrichment and help with homework.
All practices are held at the Brady Squash Center located inside Payne Whitney Gymnasium, and Yale Squash coaches and student athletes provide volunteer on-court instruction and academic tutoring. For high school-aged participants, the program provides help navigating the college process from application to graduation.
“Volunteering with Squash Haven has become part of our team culture. For our student athletes, it’s not just about giving back but an exchange. They gain perspective, empathy and learn from each other,” said Leong.
Coach Franki Velasquez, a graduate of the Squash Haven program, gives the students a pep talk before practice begins.
The participants practice together as a team and compete both in individual squash tournaments and against local schools and other Squash and Education Alliance programs.
“When I meet the prospective students and their families, I consider it a two-way tryout. They need to ask themselves, ‘Do I like this sport, and am I willing to go somewhere after school consistently?’” said Greenwood. “We are looking for kids who are interested in both aspects of the program — squash practice and the learning component.”
Lygia Davenport’s five children participated in the program, and she touts its many benefits. “Besides the physical activity of squash and the academic support, they connect the students to additional opportunities through summer campus and other enrichment programs,” said Davenport. “These kids develop friendships and enjoy lifelong memories through this program.”
Students get instruction on writing and grammar during the evening session at Squash Haven.
Squash Haven is guided by a board of directors while Greenwood and a staff of seven manage daily operations, programming, and fundraising. “On any given day, we have about 75 students in our classrooms or at the gym,” said Greenwood. “We serve 140 students in grades five to twelve as well as another 50 attending college. Seven students from our program are attending Yale University,” said Greenwood, adding that almost 80% of Squash Haven students matriculate to college.
A student works on a homework assignment during Squash Haven’s after school program.
