To fully realize this dream and to find a place in the growing new order, a grander facility needed to be built by not just building more singles courts. To become a major player and be heeded by the east coast squash establishment, a doubles court needed to be included.
The Club hired Floyd Svensson, the nationally ranked Bay Area squash player as the constructor. (One evening, our Berkeley league team played on Floyd’s quirky outdoor backyard court in Orinda. I remember after furious rallies, when a roll-corner shot was struck tightly into the left front corner a few feet above the tin, the ball would scoot PARALLEL across the front wall; similar to a court tennis shot rebounding off the tambour; and according to Floyd’s house rules, a uncontested winning shot - JL)
After a lengthy period of construction, (I believe the UClub players managed their squash fix during this period having been generously invited to play at the OClub - a similar reciprocal arrangement was extended to them during their club's major renovation a number of years later. -JL) The ceremonial opening was in 1975.
The legendary Hashim Khan was invited to grace the proceedings, playing an exhibition match with the Club’s finest, Tom Dashiell.
The question begged. How was this all going to be managed?
After a ten year period, while being managed by an enthusiastic brotherhood of squash members, it was realized that to transport the program at the UClub to the next level, a Pro needed to be hired.
Enter John Lau.
Who was this John Lau?
A Berkeley grad, with the guidance of Cal's Squash coach, Dick Crawford, John became a top- ranked local player who after the 1983 singles season earned the #7 singles ranking in the US. (Fellow Bear, Paul Gessling, earned the #4 singles ranking in the US - JL)
The Club took this opportunity and hired John who also became California's first Teaching Squash Pro. He certainly had the necessary bona fides after years of being active on the local squash scene.
Once hired, John set upon crafting a program for ALL of the players at the UClub.
Taking the model of the successful program created by his Coach at Cal, Dick Crawford, John saw that the UClub could be similarly styled.
Sure, the Club had its share of notable players with expansive national profiles, however the life blood of all clubs is the “silent majority”: the burgeoning middle class. As with all squash clubs, most players were good but not great. And many of those players regarded squash as playing a zero sum game; playing just enough to stay fit by burning just enough calories to be able to replenish themselves guilt-free with a few drinks and a nice meal afterwards.
It was their voices that sung the loudest which was galvanized by John’s stewardship that gave the players a sense of belonging. They were the “soul” of the club.
Squash Ladder
End of the Year Awards:
Iron Man - awarded to the player who played the most Challenge Matches during the season
Purple Heart - for the member who played in spite of the injuries that were garnered throughout the season
The R & D Award - for the player who treated every doubles game as if was a training practice match. J. R. Hussey was the first recipient
The Sportsman of the Year - given to the player who best exemplified the best qualities of competition
Punctuality Award - for NEVER arriving on time to play a match,
Josh McHugh was the honored recipient of the first award.
The Duke of Doubles Award was given Dexter Louie for being a man among boys by single-handedly keeping the doubles players of the University Club from sinking into the squash limbo of inactivity.
Under John's guidance and mentorship, this era of the Club was a veritable Moveable Feast of squash events: pro singles and doubles exhibitions and tournaments, International Jesters fixtures. You name it; the Club offered it. And everyone was invited to the party. The ethos of the Club was come one and all. Let’s celebrate the life of squash!
Legends Mark Talbott and Ned Edwards were given a suitable stage
Sponsored Doubles Events became the coin of the realm
Boodles Gin
The pro doubles tour came out in force with a can’t be missed stop in San Francisco
Prudential Bache
Mutual Benefit Life
Shaklee was a major National event for seniors. The president of Shaklee, club member David Chamberlain along with another stellar club member, John Callander, were leaders of the organizing committee.
Rittenhouse
Ten years of doubles revelry led by Simon Blattner.
Baykeeper - the UClub showing it's enlightened civic side
All
As of recent, I reached out to fellow Club member, Owen O'Donnell and asked him about his active involvement in sponsoring the Baykeeper.
The following is his account:
John,
I was and still am a strong supporter of the organization and I really enjoyed introducing the San Francisco squash community to Baykeeper.
We raised money for a great organization that has done excellent work cleaning up the bay and the ocean around the San Francisco Bay Area.
It was also fun picking the colors of the shirts given to the participants in the tournament. I enjoyed sponsoring the tournament since I consider Baykeeper one of the best environmental organizations nationally.
Owen
Blaxter Law Doubles
Gladstone Doubles
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