Spring Break
New squash team looking to make big impact on campus
James Mason
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Sports
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It's not hard to tell which sports are most popular at Drexel. The soccer, flag football and basketball intramural leagues have been increasing exponentially each of the past six or seven years. At Buckley Green, when there isn't a team practicing, there are usually kids playing either football or soccer until the lights are cut off. In the DAC, when courts are available, they are often packed. However, if you go to the DAC's bottom floor instead of the top floor, you will find the place one of Drexel's up-and-coming club sports teams calls home.
The team that holds court in the DAC basement is the squash team. The Drexel squash team, already ranked No. 46 in the nation, was officially recognized by the University last term, after having been in the works for about a year. This co-ed club consists of about 15 regulars, which include graduate students and faculty. Even though this club is very new and small, the members of the club are extremely enthusiastic and dedicated to increasing the sport's popularity on campus. Every term, the club holds "Squash Nites," which are open invitations to students to come out, play and interact with the team. These events draw about 50 students each night.
Even though the team is still young, they are already making strides. At the CSA National Championships, Drexel finished third in their division. Justin Burkholder, a sophomore majoring in commerce and engineering and vice president and co-founder of the team, has ambitious plans for the club. The team's current goals include better finishes in the Philadelphia Squash Racquet Association and earning most-improved team at nationals next year. The team is also looking to gain recognition for its scholar athletes with GPAs over 3.5.
At Drexel, the plans are even bigger. Specifically, the club is looking to achieve three things in the immediate to near future.
"First, we want to get more females involved or even form a female club team," Burkholder said. "Second, we want to see the men's and women's teams evolve into varsity teams." Last, he would like the school to build international squash courts, or wide courts, opposed to the American hardball courts, which are known as "narrow courts."
The team that holds court in the DAC basement is the squash team. The Drexel squash team, already ranked No. 46 in the nation, was officially recognized by the University last term, after having been in the works for about a year. This co-ed club consists of about 15 regulars, which include graduate students and faculty. Even though this club is very new and small, the members of the club are extremely enthusiastic and dedicated to increasing the sport's popularity on campus. Every term, the club holds "Squash Nites," which are open invitations to students to come out, play and interact with the team. These events draw about 50 students each night.
Even though the team is still young, they are already making strides. At the CSA National Championships, Drexel finished third in their division. Justin Burkholder, a sophomore majoring in commerce and engineering and vice president and co-founder of the team, has ambitious plans for the club. The team's current goals include better finishes in the Philadelphia Squash Racquet Association and earning most-improved team at nationals next year. The team is also looking to gain recognition for its scholar athletes with GPAs over 3.5.
At Drexel, the plans are even bigger. Specifically, the club is looking to achieve three things in the immediate to near future.
"First, we want to get more females involved or even form a female club team," Burkholder said. "Second, we want to see the men's and women's teams evolve into varsity teams." Last, he would like the school to build international squash courts, or wide courts, opposed to the American hardball courts, which are known as "narrow courts."
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