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Ahhhhh....can one imagine the life of a Squash Pro? Playing for a living but not only that, getting PAID to play a game for a living. For many, living a life of adventure by belonging to this world of competition would fulfill a dream.
However, after circling the block more than a few times, I can definitively say that being a pro is not a story book endeavor and that there are quite a few things to consider if you're going to take this leap of faith. It’s not clean and easy decision.
A critical skill to carving out a life of being a good teaching pro is to enjoy being with fellow players and be the ebullient leader among them at the same time. It's not a job. It's a lifestyle. (While being the Pro at the UClub, I made a point to imbue the mult-faceted nature of the game by presenting and sharing it in such a way that it was appealing to beginners and expert players alike. - JL)
It's not just about just teaching the game. You are a mixture of curator, mentor (blending wisdom with a timely rebuke), orchestrator, cultivator, impresario, bus driver, compass, and tour guide - a living cornerstone with a panoramic vision who has offerings for both callow beginners as well as gritty, tough-minded players alike. Put this all together and a teaching pro is created. It’s all about connecting the dots with a personal human touch.
This skilled specialist has a guiding principal and feel which sets a tone for the members to enjoy - a vibe, an ethos - who serves as an example by imparting a sense of cohesion: imbuing, and preserving the culture of this great game. In a niche sport like Squash, Pros must be influencers.
The game is an etiquette training ground. Yes, really. Think of the elements of etiquette that are encouraged in squash: dress codes, respect for authority, graciousness in winning or in losing, penalties for breaking rules.
A roving ambassador, if you will. He’s the selfless glue guy. The Pro makes everyone him better.
The common parlance in the world of teaching pros is the phrase “customer squash”.
It’s about doing things together as a group and enjoying watching players pursue their squash fancies. It’s lifting others around him as one is lifting himself.
As for me, I was once a schoolteacher as well as being a 3-time veteran national champion, I possessed the perspectives, intangibles, and sensibilities from these disparate worlds and did my best to provide the members selected pathways to succeed and enjoy the game. (Players are still just kids disguised as grown-ups. 😉 - JL) I wanted to make the sport come alive while at the Club by making sure the various pieces fit together thus giving every member a chance to shine. It’s being someone who can be counted on - a valuable lesson instilled into me by my coach and mentor when I went to Cal, Dick Crawford.
I was afforded the necessary time to absorb the needed knowledge, understanding and insights enabled by the patience of the members to develop something to say with ideas worth hearing about the game of squash - a process which required a certain number of trips around the sun - logging 30+ years worth of orbits.
In the final chapters of my life, there is still a path afforded to me - as a mentor.
Once a pro, always a pro.
And remember………it’s only a game.
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