From Oct. 19 to Oct. 25, professional squash players arrived in Philadelphia to compete in the US Open Squash Tournament. It was this tournament that No. 2 player Hania El Hammamy won her first US Open title, and No. 1 player Mostafa Asal won his second US Open title. Both champions hail from Egypt, cementing their dominance in professional squash. The successful completion of the Open also highlighted Drexel’s role in US Squash.
This year marks the 14th consecutive year that US Squash has hosted the tournament in partnership with Drexel, and the fourth at the Arlean Specter US Squash Center, which opened in 2020. The center, located on 33rd and Lancaster Ave., sits right in the heart of Drexel’s campus.
Much of the relationship between US Squash and Drexel can be traced to one man: John Fry. The former president, who left Drexel in September 2024 to take over as Temple’s president, was a large factor in why squash at Drexel is where it is today.
Fry assumed the presidency of the university in 2010. The following year, the squash courts in the DAC were renovated. In 2012, men’s and women’s squash became a D1 program at Drexel. It was his vision that also led to the $40 million Specter Center being built at Drexel’s former Armory. Fry’s involvement with squash did not end there, as he served on the US Squash board from 2010 to 2017. He was later inducted into the US Squash Hall of Fame in 2022.
Since Fry left Drexel, the D1 team has remained successful due to Drexel’s continued investment in squash. Head coach John White won Mid-Atlantic Squash Team Men’s Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. Additionally, eight players on the men’s and women’s teams received honors in the MASC league last season.
In an article for The Conversation, former Drexel athletic director Eric Zilmer argues that Philadelphia is the epicenter for squash in the US. With the inclusion of squash in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Specter Center will serve as the training center for Team USA, further strengthening the relationship between Philadelphia and the sport.
Even though Fry is gone, Drexel continues to remain a leader in the squash world. This infrastructure that he helped create is still standing. As squash gains popularity and prepares for its Olympic debut, Drexel’s relationship with US Squash will continue to play a central role in the growing popularity of the sport.