Temple Squash Club launches for the 2026–2027 year through a partnership with SquashSmarts, an academic and athletic mentoring program.

When avid squash player Quincy McCormick arrived at Temple two years ago, he struggled to find people to play with on a regular basis, so he decided to start his own club. 

“For a while, I took the bus to other courts, but what I really wanted was to create a squash community here at Temple,” said McCormick, Class of 2028, a human resource management major from Pittsburgh who serves as the club’s founding president. 

Now registered as an official student-led club through Temple University Campus Recreation, the club is open to all students interested in the fast-paced racket sport. 

It is the result of more than two years of collaboration between Temple students and staff, Campus Recreation, and SquashSmarts, a nonprofit academic and athletic mentoring program based in Philadelphia. 

“As a squash player myself, I am delighted that squash enthusiasts at Temple now have an official club to bring them together,” said Temple President John Fry. “Squash is not just a game; it teaches lifelong skills like resilience, patience and discipline. The club’s partnership with SquashSmarts makes this even more meaningful. I look forward to seeing the squash community grow at Temple and hopefully grow into an intercollegiate program for our women and men to compete at a national level.” 

In July, Temple and SquashSmarts finalized an agreement establishing the club and its home at the Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships, located at 3890 N. 10th St., where members will have access to eight regulation squash courts during the academic year at one of the city’s premier community squash facilities. Operated by North 10, and the home and headquarters for SquashSmarts, the Lenfest Center serves as a hub for youth development, education and squash programming throughout Philadelphia. 

“We are thrilled to see this vision become a reality,” said John Doman, senior director of campus recreation at Temple University. “The Temple Squash Club represents more than the addition of a new sport. SquashSmarts has built an outstanding organization centered on mentorship, academic success and the power of sport to transform lives, and we are excited to bring that model to Temple through this partnership. Together, we are creating new opportunities for students to build community, develop leadership skills and find a sense of belonging. Those experiences strengthen student success, support well-being and enrich the overall Temple experience.”  

More than 25 students have already expressed interest in the club, according to McCormick, who runs the club with three other student leaders. 

“What I love about squash is that all ages can play,” added McCormick. “I started playing in seventh grade, but I know people in their 70s who play. Squash is also just a welcoming sport. Philadelphia is a huge squash city, and I knew people would be drawn toward this idea of a club if we had a plan.”  

The new club also reflects the strong and long-standing relationship between Temple and Philadelphia’s squash community. Currently, 20 students from SquashSmarts and other Squash and Education Alliance programs are currently enrolled at Temple, creating a natural foundation for the sport’s continued growth on campus. 

“Temple University has long been an important destination for many of our students after graduation,” said Stephen Gregg, executive director of SquashSmarts. “Creating an on-campus collegiate squash pathway strengthens that connection and provides another opportunity for young people to remain engaged in the sport while continuing their education.” 

The Temple Squash Club welcomes players of all experience levels, from beginners interested in learning the game to experienced players seeking collegiate competition. The club is expected to compete in College Squash Association club events. 

“The creation of the Temple Squash Club is exactly the kind of collaboration that continues to move collegiate squash forward,” said Lovey Roundtree, director of expansion for the College Squash Association. “Temple University, SquashSmarts and their student leaders have invested tremendous time and energy into making this vision a reality. We are excited to support the club as it grows and to welcome Temple into the expanding community of collegiate squash.” 

McCormick is eager to get out on the court. 

“I’m excited to get started and help the club grow,” he said. “Our goal is to create a collective community of students here at Temple who like squash and want to play the game together.”