U.S. Squash Open Returns to Drexel for 7th Year
By Ben Seal
The arrival of fall means it’s time once again for the Drexel University community to welcome the U.S. Open Squash Championships to campus. From Oct. 5–14, the world’s best squash players will be showcased at Drexel for the seventh year in a row in the most prestigious squash tournament in the United States, and one of the most important in the world.
Beginning with the qualifying round Oct. 5 and 6, matches will be played on Drexel’s campus in the Kline & Specter Squash Center and the ASB GlassCourt, a special court built inside the Daskalakis Athletic Center for the occasion. Drexel students, faculty and staff can watch the competition during the week free of charge with a Drexel ID.
“Drexel is pleased to host this exciting, world-class event for the seventh year, and we are particularly proud that this is the first tournament to offer equal prize money to both men and women,” said Drexel President John Fry, who served for three years as chairman of U.S. Squash. “We look forward to a good tournament, and to hosting the U.S. Open for years to come.”
In addition to the competition on the court, the event has a new feature this year: the world’s first film festival devoted solely to documentaries about squash. On Oct. 8 in the URBN Center Annex at 3401 Filbert St., just around the corner from the DAC, four films will screen with question-and-answer sessions hosted by each filmmaker. Tickets are free for the 2017 U.S. Open Squash Film Festival, and attendees receive $10 off tickets for the Oct. 8 matches.
The tournament will also include a Women in Sports Day on Oct. 10, a Character in Sports Day on Oct. 11, and a U.S. Squash Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon on Oct. 14. The full schedule of events is available online.
Squash players Mohamed Elshorbagy and Gregory Gaultier, who have split the past four men’s championships, will both be playing in Philadelphia, as will Camille Serme and Laura Massaro, who won the women’s draws in 2016 and 2015, respectively. Additional information is available on the U.S. Open website, and Drexel Athletics will be posting updates each day during the tournament.
This year’s tournament comes as Drexel’s own squash teams are set to build on successful 2016–17 campaigns. The men’s team advanced to the program’s first Potter Cup and finished the year ranked No. 6 in the country, a new benchmark for the squad. The women’s team finished last season ranked No. 10 in the nation. The teams open the season Nov. 11 at home against Dickinson as part of the Pennsylvania State Classic.