Jake Greenbaum '00 Serves with SquashSmarts
Article by Bruce Adams. Reprinted with permission from The Main Line Times.

Philadelphia — Former Philadelphia Eagles tight end and Main Line resident John Spagnola was playing in front of the home-town fans last week.

Spagnola, who played for the Birds from 1979 to 1989, was one of many area celebrities competing in exhibition squash matches at the SquashSmarts Squash Challenge and Casino Night at the Philadelphia Racquet Club.

The matches, which included competitors such as former world No. 1 player John White and ex-Philadelphia 76er Billy Cunningham, were watched by approximately 300 attendees.

The event raised nearly $30,000 for SquashSmarts, a three-year-old non-profit organization operating out of Drexel University that combines academic tutoring and mentoring of under-served urban youth while making squash facilities available to these youths.

Currently, SquashSmarts is working with 32 youths from West Philadelphia ranging in age from 12 to 16.

Spagnola, who lives with his wife and three daughters in Bryn Mawr, said, “I think SquashSmarts is a great program — it gives racquets to kids who normally wouldn’t have a chance to play, like the Arthur Ashe [Youth Tennis and Education] Center. Squash is a great game — once you have the facilities.”

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Spagnola made some fine shots during his doubles match, a contest that included Iago Crones of the Merion Cricket Club, Mike French of the Philadelphia Wings and Greg Park of the Philadelphia Racquet Club.

Spagnola, who is managing director of Public Financial Management (PFM) Advisors in Philadelphia, took up squash about 10 years ago when he was invited to play at the Philadelphia Country Club. He fell in love with the speedy, tactical game, and he currently plays twice a week during the winter.

SquashSmarts squash director Jake Greenbaum, who was the captain of The Shipley School squash team before going off to play at George Wasington Unversity (where he was also captain of the team), said, “Some of my fondest memories of the Shipley took place on the squash court. I can honestly say my biggest accomplishment as senior captain was winning our league’s sportsmanship award. Winning was important, but wanting to win correctly was paramount.

“In my first meeting with [SquashSmarts] Executive Director Steve Gregg, I immediately knew that we shared these similar goals for SquashSmarts. Steve, as well as Academic Director Julie Williams and our board of directors, have created a fantastic environment for our kids.”

Shipley squash head coach Peter Stokes said, “Jake was always a valuable team leader and an exemplary sportsman role model, on and off the court. His move to SquashSmarts is a win-win situation. Jake is a grass-roots person that is comfortable and always able to find the best in any situation. He is a positive,  glass-half-full type of person.

“We at Shipley are going to build on our working relationship with SquashSmarts, especially now that Jake is involved and familiar with both parities.”

Trevor McGuinness, who graduated from Episcopal Academy last spring, is the Director of Community Outreach programs at SquashSmarts. He recently led the United States Junior Men’s Team Competition in Palmerston, New Zealand, and is playing on the professional squash circuit in both singles and doubles.

McGuinness, who is one of five full-time people on the SquashSmarts staff, said, “This is a fantastic organization — I’m working with some of the best people, the most flexible people, I’ve ever met on a job.”

To become a volunteer or to learn more about SquashSmarts, e-mail info@squashsmarts.org.

Posted Thursday, October 12, 2006

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