By Elise Adams
Alive Editor
Deep in the depths of the Sullivan Gym, past the stairs and on the brink of the emergency exit, is a hall lined with oddly tiny doors like a scene from Alice in Wonderland. Behind each door is a court. Behind one door with a waxy window is the squash court. The squash court is smaller than the others, with millions of black rubber ball marks on the walls.
On Friday mornings Larry Gantz of the Muskie School and his friend Al enjoy a friendly game of squash. Both clad in safety goggles, armed with elongated racquets, the men dart about the court fiercely bopping a doorknob-sized squishy black ball about the court.
Larry is the force behind trying to drum up local interest. The only good thing, Larry explains, about a small squash following in Greater Portland is “I can go to the court any time and not have to wait.” He has initiated a campaign to start a USM squash league, which will begin play Jan. 28.
USM is not the first school to start a squash league. Bowdoin College has also tried it, and was quite successful. in 1967. Their men’s and women’s teams have continued to thrive and currently enjoy an 11-court squash center, and host four tournaments a year. There is one squash court at USM at the Sullivan Gym.
Larry and about a half dozen others who enjoy the exciting world of squash invite all those with interest to join the league. Players will be separated into groups according to ability, so don’t be shy that you will be the worst squash player there. Undoubtedly there will be others that are newbies as well. Other players from the area will be there to meet, play with, and offer instruction. There will be designated instruction nights as well to help people with their game.
Unfortunately, squash has gotten a bad rap as a New England preppy sport. However, a rousing game can leave one’s fisherman-knit shoulder-draped sweater in the dust in this fast paced game. What other activity can you think of that color-codes its balls by speed?
Squash is a dynamic game, ever changing its specifications for its equipment (there has been a ball size change recognized by professional squash leagues since last May) and courts, which also vary in specification from country to country. Squash was developed at the Harrow School in England around 1830, based on a racquet sport invented in the Fleet Prison in London by debtor inmates. It was played in England and Canada for several years before a New Hampshire professor saw it played in Montreal and brought it back to his college in Concord.
You can register with Tina Aldrich, the Portland Campus Recreation Coordinator at 780-4630 or stop by her office by Jan. 23.