Awards Criteria (M)

Men’s college squash presents awards to individuals and teams annually. Most of the awards are coordinated by the Awards Committee, which is made up of the Awards Chair, who is appointed by the Men’s College Squash Association President, and two additional members, who are a selected by the Awards Chair and should represent a cross-section of all men’s college squash teams.

The Men’s Bylaws outline the basic criteria for each award. More detailed information about criteria and procedures can be found below.

SKILLMAN AWARD
Senior Sportsmanship

Criteria: The Skillman Award is given annually to a senior men’s squash player who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship during his entire college career. The candidate shall be evaluated in the following areas:

• On-court poise and demeanor
• Skill level and ability in the game of squash
• Team play
• Contributions to intercollegiate squash
• Leadership
• Cooperation with players, coaches, and tournament officials

Procedures: Each coach is invited to nominate a player. The Awards Chair solicits nominations by emailing the selection criteria to each coach. Coaches should respond to the email with nominations and any supporting material, which should not exceed three paragraphs in length.

The Men’s Executive Committee then selects the candidates for the award. At the men’s National Team Tournament, all coaches are told who the candidates are and are given any supporting material with information about the candidates. After consulting with their teams, coaches vote, in writing, for the candidates at the National Team Tournament coaches’ meeting. Each college has one vote, which is collected by the President. If a team cannot be represented, the President may collect their votes prior to the meeting. The award is usually presented at the National Team Championships.

For a history of the award and a list of past winners, see Skillman Award.

BARNABY AWARD
Team Improvement

Criteria: The Barnaby Award is given annually to the men’s team showing the most improvement from the previous season’s record.

Procedures: Any coach can nominate a team for this award, and coaches can also nominate their own teams. Coaches should bring supporting documentation and information to the coaches’ meeting at the National Team Tournament, where the award is voted on. The award is usually presented at the National Team Championships.

For a history of the award and a list of past winners, see Barnaby Award.

SLOANE AWARD
Team Sportsmanship

Criteria: The Sloane Award is given annually to the team that, as judged by their peers, best exemplified the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the season. The team characteristics this award represents may be described in the words of former Williams coach, Clarence Chaffee: “a sense of esprit de corps, of sportsmanship, of hard but fair play, of being gracious in victory and defeat, and enjoying the camaraderie and pride of being part of a team.”

Procedures: Coaches discuss with their team which team they feel is deserving of this award. Coaches then vote on the award at the National Team Championships meeting, with each team getting one vote. The award is usually presented at the National Team Championships.

For a history of the award and a list of past winners, see Sloane Award.

ASSOCIATION TROPHY
Best Team Record

Criteria: This award is given annually to the team with the best regular-season record.

Procedures: The award is usually presented at the National Team Championships. The coach of the winning team has custody of the trophy for the year, returning it to the Secretary of the Men’s College Squash Association before the next year’s team tournament.

For a history of the award and a list of past winners, see Association Trophy.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Criteria: This award recognizes those rare individuals who have contributed throughout their career to college squash as a whole and who have dedicated a career to the sport.

Procedures: The Awards Committee recommends candidates for this award, which is then decided on by the Executive Committee. This award is not presented annually, but rather only when it is truly merited.

For a list of past recipients, see Lifetime Achievement.

HALL OF FAME

Criteria: Induction into the College Squash Hall of Fame is an honor reserved for the top players and coaches at the collegiate level.

Players: Hall of Fame awards are given for overall excellence exhibited during an individual’s college career, usually (but not necessarily) including at least one win of the collegiate individual championships. Inductees also usually have continuing presence in and commitment to squash following their college career. Players must be ten years beyond graduation to be considered.

Coaches: Hall of Fame awards are given to coaches who have left a signature imprint on the college game and who usually coached at least ten years. The award is typically given after individuals retire from coaching.

Friends of College Squash: Hall of Fame awards are given to individuals who have made a significant impact on the college game as promoters, sponsors, or in other roles.

Procedures: Hall of Fame awards are recommended by the Awards Committee and decided on by the Executive Committee.

For a list of inductees, see Hall of Fame.