All
Even after the lengthly passage of time, the game of squash keeps on giving, and giving, and giving.
On a cool and brisk Thursday evening on the last day in September at the Finals of the Oracle Netsuite Open, a distinguished group of squash players were enshrined into the Northern California Squash Racquets Association's Hall of Fame.
They all were enthusiastic players. They all were players of accomplishment. However, this ensemble of players should be remembered not only for their victories, but for their acts of generosity of giving back to the game. Since playing singles squash is an individual sport (gladiatorial, IMO - JL), to develop as a player, it's easy and uncomplicated to get caught up and focused solely on one's own improvement. It's another matter to want to help others in a given community. This group all enthusiastically served as leaders of NorCal. They all were supporters, promoters, and executives of squash in Northern California.
They were also the living embodiments of the game that we all love - a game that is something bigger than their individual accomplishments.
They were the doyens of the game in Northern California.
It was fitting that this assembly of players was lauded to celebrate NorCal's 50th Anniversary.
It was fitting that this assembly of players was lauded to celebrate NorCal's 50th Anniversary.
Their enshrinement will be celebrated and preserved forever in NorCal’s Hall of Fame.
(Thanks, Emily!)
John
******
Alex Eichmann was one of the most significant figures in the history of Northern California squash.
A superb all-around athlete, he excelled in many other sports.
Eichmann was the leader of the pack on the Pacific Coast with more than 40 tournament wins, highlighted by winning the Pacific Coast Singles Championships in ’67, ’69, ’70 and ’72. He was also a six-time California State Singles Champion.
In 1975, he retired from competition but not from squash. Alex built the 4 hardball court Peninsula Squash Club in San Mateo, and later the 8 hardball court Squash Club of San Francisco which in 1983, hosted the US National Hardball Championships.
Eichmann’s enormous contributions to squash sealed his status as one of the leading figures of West Coast squash.
******
Dick Crawford
Dick Crawford came to California after an impressive sports career in college and then the U.S. Army.
In 1969, Dick founded the Northern California Squash Racquets Association and served as it's first president. During his tenure as President, to satisfy the hunger for organized play, he formed an extremely successful inter-club league system that exists to this day.
From the very beginning, Dick saw the bright hope and potential of Cal squash. As the energetic coach, Dick inspired his players to follow that vision. They loved their coach. He was a natural leader who engendered inspiration with selfless effort. Crawford took his teams on a quest for glory, humbly and unwaveringly, on the path of true joy ladened with hard work and commitment by always leading them to give everything they had.
******
Peter Gaynor
Peter Gaynor had a spiritual side dedicated to squash, particularly doubles squash; so much so that he was considered the high priest of his spiritual group. He would frequently show that spiritual side by traveling to his favorite place of worship and entering the plain and simple court that was his spiritual home. He would always, without fail, dress reverently and carefully in simple clothes including his signature sleeveless vest adorned with a smiling Jester on it.
While playing, Peter enjoyed to joke and banter with the three others in his room of worship. Peter’s love of communion extended beyond the chamber of worship and his ability to quip would grow throughout the evening.
Succeeding Crawford, Peter was also a President of NorCal Squash who in 1983 led the effort to host the US National Singles Championships in San Francisco. The tourney became a grand event in the annuals of NorCal squash
Succeeding Crawford, Peter was also a President of NorCal Squash who in 1983 led the effort to host the US National Singles Championships in San Francisco. The tourney became a grand event in the annuals of NorCal squash
******
Brett Elebash
Brett Elebash’s squash education began in earnest at San Mateo's Peninsula Squash Club where she was initially taught by club owner extraordinaire Alex Eichmann.
In the ‘77-78 season, Brett introduced herself to the entire squash world by winning the Cal State Championship women’s title with an extraordinary win by defeating Princeton grad and future U.S. Hall of Fame member Nancy Gengler - the 1976 U.S. Intercollegiate Champion.
After playing for several years in the Bay Area, she ruled NorCal by winning the Women’s A Championships from ’78 through ‘83 earning the #1 ranking each year.
After the 1979-80 season, Elebash became the first woman player from Northern California to earn a U.S. national ranking.
In 2001, Brett was also bestowed the U.S. National Singles 45+ Women's Softball Title. Amidst her victories, she served as Secretary for NorCal Squash.
******
John Lau
Growing up in San Francisco, John Lau was always regarded as a striving athlete.
Over the course of his storied career, John collected innumerable significant victories. Among his triumphs were the 1991 and 1992 U.S. National 35+ Singles Championships. In 1989, turning his Swiss Army knife set of skills and considerable efforts to doubles, as he, with his partner Buffalo's affable Gordon Anderson, won the U.S. National Doubles 40+ Championship.
John is also being feted this evening for his unflagging devotion to the game, and for guiding many legions of players through his kindness and encouragement, regardless of their skill or ability levels. For over 30 years, he ably guided and expanded the squash program at the University Club of S.F. and, more broadly, across Northern California.
Among his many other contributions to the growth and health of the game, for two years John served as President of NorCal Squash.
******
Tom Dashiell
As a Bay Area newcomer in the mid-seventies, Tom Dashiell announced his arrival by winning the Ralfe Miller Invitational at UC Berkeley to begin the 1974-75 season.
An outstanding season that resulted with many tournament wins was capped by Tom winning the season-ending NorCal Championship.
For the 1975-76 season, Dashiell completed a clean sweep of California squash titles by winning the NorCal/University Club Championships - his seventh tournament victory of that season.
Tom also contributed to the advancement of the game as President of NorCal Squash.
******
David Tepper
David Tepper was a two-term NorCal President (1976-1978), and under his able leadership, the Association grew at a remarkable rate.
Under his stewardship, NorCal squash membership nearly doubled and sixteen new courts were built in the West Bay.
This expansion also created greater responsibility for him and his fellow NorCal officers.
Undaunted, he led the game's growth which provided players, particularly women and juniors, greater opportunities to play in the region.
David’s highlight while in college was playing #1 for Cornell against Harvard. In his playing career, David won numerous titles including the California State and Pacific Coast Doubles Championships.
******
During their playing careers, what should be seen as their crowning achievements among this group was not their tournament titles nor their individual successes, but their administrative leadership and contributions to the growth and health of the game. They all purposefully served on the NorCal Board.
Related Posts
NorCal Hall of Fame full Biographies
NorCal National Champions
Nor Cal Yearbooks 1973 - 1983
Winning the Cowles, Jacobs, Barnaby
Related Posts
NorCal Hall of Fame full Biographies
NorCal National Champions
Nor Cal Yearbooks 1973 - 1983
Winning the Cowles, Jacobs, Barnaby
******
No comments:
Post a Comment