Club Program Guide
The CSA welcomes any and all new college squash programs and encourages their growth and development. The ultimate goal is for each program to be a self-sufficient college recognized varsity or club program that plays a full season of matches including participation in the end of season CSA Team Championships. The CSA supports programs with grants as well as mentoring help by established coaches. The normal path for program development is as follows:
Emerging Teams: Colleges are encouraged to start new squash programs. Newly formed teams are invited to compete in the CSA Team Nationals in the five–person Emerging Team division for up to three years. During that time, the CSA will waive all dues and entry fees. Emerging teams, however, must compete in at least three five-person matches during the regular season if they want to compete in the CSA Team Championships. Emerging teams are encouraged to continue to develop their programs and work towards gaining recognition as an official club program at their college or university.
Nine Man Club Teams: Club Teams are welcome to compete in the Nine-man divisions of the CSA Team Championships. All teams must have played six nine-person team matches in advance of the Team Championships to be eligible to participate. Club teams that want to compete in the nine-man divisions must pay full dues in a timely manner and pay the team entry fee as well. Clubs can apply for a grant from the CSA Grant fund by filling out the application. Grants are awarded based on an evaluation of a team’s needs and can receive grants ranging from $150-$850. Grants can only be received two times over a five year time span.
Mentoring Program: Both Club and Emerging teams are invited to take part in the CSA Mentoring program where an established coach is paired with a club team to provide mentoring as needed by the club at no charge. The CSA will try to match all club teams that request help with a mentor. It is up to the club team to contact and develop the relationship with the mentor coach. Craig Dawson, at Navy, will help assign mentors per request.
Equipment: The CSA can help with equipment expenses through their corporate relationships. Harrow Sports is the official racket sponsor for the CSA and teams can buy rackets, bags, and team uniforms at greatly reduced prices. Dunlop balls are also available for purchase at reduced prices. Other equipment vendors also offer excellent pricing for college programs that all member teams can utilize.
Voting rights: As stated in the By-laws, only coaches of varsity programs are allowed to vote at coaches meetings.
Responsibilities: All teams that play intercollegiate matches are expected to follow all of the rules of the CSA as detailed on the CSA website.
Please contact the club Program Director, Craig Dawson, at the Naval Academy or our website editor, Michael T. Bello with questions.
Good luck and we look forward to having you participate in college squash!
Shona Kerr
Women’s CSA President
Bob Callahan
Men’s CSA President
COLLEGE SQUASH ASSOCIATION EMERGING/CLUB CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP
The below listed criteria will be used to identify squash programs eligible for membership in the College Squash Association:
- College squash team on record with their school as an official club sport.
- Club president with an underclass successor.
- Faculty advisor.
- Coach
- Number of players
- Potential for both a men’s and women’s team.
- Potential for school to make the team a varsity sport.
- Number of international courts on campus.
- International courts nearby for play
- Budget
- Club funding provided by school and/or fundraising by team
- Mentor school from league
- Intention to play a minimum six match schedule and enter the Nationals
COLLEGE SQUASH ASSOCIATION BUDGET-FUNDRAISING IDEAS
A college squash program for emerging and club teams needs to develop a realistic and sustainable budget to support the program.
A team can realistically fund a six match schedule and participate in the College Squash Association with a budget around $3,000-$5000.
Teams can purchase racquets and balls through the CSA at a discount.
The cost for a one night stay at a competition venue would be $500 (3 rooms @ $100 plus gas for 3 cars at $60/car)
The cost for a two night stay equals $800.
Nationals are two nights for $800 plus entry fee of $600 equals $1500.
Totaled, participation would be $3000
Added expenses could be uniforms, court time and coaching costing another $2000.
Fully funded program would be $5000
Funding Suggestions:
- Players pay dues of $100
- Become an established school club team and request funding from club sports
- Approach the school Alumni association for funding or a fundraising effort
- Ask parents to make a donation (find the way at your school to make the donation tax deductible)
- Find alumni squash players from hardball days and ask for support
- Look for naming opportunities at your courts which can be made with a donation
- Host a tournament and use entry fee for funding
- Sell t-shirts, bake sales etc
- Request a grant from US Squash
- Request a grant from CSA
COLLEGE SQUASH GRANT APPLICATION
To request a grant from the CSA, please use the form below:
