HAVERFORD, Pa. - Earlier this month, the Haverford Men's and Women's Squash teams headed to the Lenfest Center in North Philadelphia to volunteer with the SquashSmarts program, an urban academic and athletic mentoring program that is the only one of it's kind in the Philadelphia area.
The morning began with an opening circle where the team played some games and prepared for an exciting day of squash. The group of participants was then split into two by gender and went through practice drills and played some points. The Haverford student-athletes also discussed strategies for preformance on the squash court such as a healthy diet, focus, sleep, commitment to a practice routine and a positive outlook.
The teams hosted a group discussion on performing well in the classroom and the squads shared strategies about how to be succesful in academic endeavors. The Haverford student-athletes shared the importance of staying organized, meeting deadlines, limiting distractions and practing good time management. After some more drills and game play, the day finished with a closing circle where everyone who participated that day was able to share thank yous and give shoutouts for a rewarding day of both physical activity and mentorship.
SquashSmarts is non-profit organization aimed to improve the lives of underserved youth from Philadelphia public schools by providing intensive, long-term academic tutoring and squash instruction while imparting high standards of personal integrity, health and fitness, and service to the community. The organization has been serving the youth of Philadelphia since 2001. The program provides students in grades 5-12 with the opportunity to learn the sport of squash and receive intensive academic and life-skills instruction. Squashsmarts currently operates programs in North and West Philadelphia. For more information visit: www.squashsmarts.org.