From Gina Kennedy '20
"When I look back at my time at Harvard I am overwhelmed by feelings of gratitude. It was really in the balance as to whether I would go or not because, at the time, it felt like such a huge move for me to leave home, but it was by far the best decision I have ever made. Not a day goes by that I am not aware of the impact it has had on me. My time there also led me to the second-best decision of my life, and that is to become a professional squash player. That again, I was unsure of, but my time at Harvard made me realize that that was the life I wanted to lead, and I haven't regretted it for a single day. Although I had been on a number of squash teams before I went to Harvard, I had never experienced the overwhelming sense of camaraderie and inclusion that being part of the Harvard Squash Team gave me. Over the course of 4 years, I developed the best of friendships and I learned so much about myself both as an individual and a team player. I am so gutted that I couldn't be there to celebrate 100 years of Harvard Squash, but I hope you all had an amazing evening and hope to catch you all soon!
From Haley Mendez '15
It seems quite surreal that I first joined Harvard Squash 12 years ago. I managed to dig up my senior farewell speech and what still holds true from my comments back then, is that even though I am 8 years out, it has never really been a goodbye. If there was ever a doubt in anyone's mind, let me assure you that being a part of the Harvard squash family goes way beyond whatever happens on court and lasts well beyond your four-year stint in Cambridge. I realized just how true this was during my senior spring when I tore my ACL right before the CSA national championships and both former and current teammates alike called, sent packages, brought me food, took turns spending the night with me, and even showered me when I needed them the most. Now we are providing LinkedIn referrals, have enough money to go on European spa weekends together and are becoming godparents to each other's babies! This is a team that is always there for each other and always will be.
I was recently asked to talk about my Harvard experience and the things that were most important to me, and I wrote that it was defined by my time on this team. When I first arrived to school, I had an instant family who helped me navigate my freshman year. Teammates gave me a list of their favorite classes and told me some funny monkey sex facts, and before I knew it, I was a pre-med, human evolutionary biology concentrator. As a two-time captain, I learned lessons that will stay with me my entire life… I learned how to lead, when to exert authority versus show compassion, when and how to motivate, how to teach, how to plan and how to budget both time and dollars. I truly poured my heart into the team and the Harvard Squash program, frequently putting teammates needs, personal training, and coaches' meetings ahead of homework in my daily schedule. But I wouldn't do a single thing differently. Aside from all the squash, the titles, the gear, and a trip to the Cayman Islands, I made friendships that will last a lifetime, and gained invaluable life skills that have nothing to do with sport, and for that, I am forever grateful.
We are here celebrating 100 years of Harvard Squash, but I can only speak to the last 12. I can say for certain that the teams would be nothing without the hard work and dedication from of our coaches. I want to give a shoutout to Luke and Hameed for all their behind the scenes work and obviously for all their help and support at every practice and match. And of course, a special thank you to Mike and Beth – from my first week on campus they were there for me like my family away from home. For those of you who don't know my mother…she is more of the man up, tough love kind of parent (whom I love). But Mike on the other hand, was the mom I never had, always there for me for anything from, future job guidance, to help with boys! I knew I could count on him for everything…. except fashion advice. This still holds true, and I know that Mike and the coaches have created the same supportive and thoughtful environment for everyone else that has gone through the program after me.
What is so special about this program is that while all of the hardware speaks for itself and the standard of squash is unparalleled, that is not what it is all about. The coaches help guide all of us into adulthood - instilling in us the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication, and hard work. This is what Harvard Squash is all about. This is what has brought us all to celebrate this milestone, and what makes me the proudest when I say I played squash at Harvard.
