July 1st, 2008 Mithun Mukherjee posted in Events
By Dick Rice
Tuesday June 23rd brought to Rochester the eight US Squash Under 19 Team and three of the Under 23 Team for six days of training at the U of R campus. The training was conducted by Coach Martin Heath and his assistant coaches Adam Hamill and Paul Johnson.
An orientation and a good practice session at the U of R was followed by a visit to the George Eastman House. An excellent tour by Events Director Allen Buell was followed by an engaging 1918 silent comedy film starring Fatty Arbuckle. While no relation to Arbuckle, Ken Pink read a proclamation from the County Manager, Maggie Brooks, extolling the achievements of the US Juniors and extending best wishes for the World Championships in Switzerland while declaring Tuesday June 24th as the US Junior Team Day in Monroe County. Wednesday gave the players another tough morning of practice. Two vans then transported the group to Oak Hill for golf and dinner. Special thanks to Al Mahar who arranged the spectacular event and to Al, Mark Mijangos and his friend for taking a foursome on the course. Adam Perkiomaki of Portland, Oregon shot an 83!! Unfortunately, the fourth member could not make his commitment but with the help of Alan Cameros, three of the Team got to golf at CCR instead. Peter Brown was the member golfer at CCR. Dinner for all the Team members was enjoyed on the Oak Hill terrace and fine weather and the Oak Hill ambience prevailed.
Thursday brought another hard practice session in the morning. Supremely tested, but not worn out, the Team traveled to the Genesee Valley Club for a late lunch and some relaxation by the pool. Two very competitive doubles tennis matches developed and some superb tennis was witnessed by those few spectators at the Club. A color brochure highlighting the Team was produced by former Trinity squash captain, Mike Bittner, and was handed out at the Club to help all attendees identify the players and coaches.
In mid-afternoon, Mayor Duffy visited with the Team and conversed at length with each of the squash players. An open invitation as guests of the City of Rochester was extended by the mayor. He included an offer to attend the Taste of Rochester as honorees. Mayor Duffy proclaimed Thursday as the US Team Day in Rochester. Each member of the US Junior Team returns home with a copy of the city and county proclamations.
At 5:00 pm the GVC junior squashers got on the courts to hit with members of the US Team. Some of the US Juniors borrowed some heavier racquets and jumped on the doubles hardball court for some action. They had fun playing each other and teaming up with Thomson Chew and Dick Rice who avoided getting decapitated by several hard hit shots. They do hit the ball much too hard. At 6:00 PM the Team put on exhibition matches in the three singles courts that showcased how talented they are. Dinner on the pool deck brought the long day to an end in beautiful Rochester weather.
Friday was a hard day of double squash sessions. At day’s end, the Team arrived at the elegant home of Brent and Roberta DuBeshter. Roberta and her daughters prepared the dinner menu . The food was exquisite and plentiful for the eleven starving squash players. The setting, the dinner, and the entertaining atmosphere provided by the DuBeshters, their daughters and their friends made for a special evening. It also gave the Team the energy for Saturday ’s workout .
Saturday was the second day of double squash sessions. By late afternoon, energy had waned and the Team boarded the two vans to travel to the Whitaker cottage on Canandaigua Lake. Thomson Chew welcomed the Team with a bagpipe serenade to the delight of the Scottish coaches. The large size of the lake surprised the players as they jostled on the floating trampoline. Enough relaxation, as Alex took each of the Team on a death-defying tubing run on the lake. Great athletes as they are, they managed to survive all but the worst of Alex’s dirty tricks as they flew over his waves and stayed in the tube. Assistant Coach Adam Hamill did manage a quadruple summersault but suffered mere verbal ribbing for his foibles.
Tons of hots, hamburgers, watermelon and cookies closed the evening and brought sleep to both vans of players that headed back to the U of R.
The entire Team and its coaching staff declared this week to be the best week of training ever experienced and their appreciation was seen on their faces all week long. As the supporters for this effort, you are the ones that should share that appreciation. They will carry their wonderful experiences back home and then to Switzerland. You can see their progress in late July at the tournament website http://www.myplayground.cc
Thank you all for your support, these special times were only possible because of you, and with special thanks to Alan Cameros. We are still accepting your support and tax deductible donations for the US Team. Please send donations to (RSRA, P.O. Box 18025, Rochester, NY 14618-0025).
Harro East invites any interested Squash enthusiasts to join us on Thanksgiving Day 2008 in our annual quest to burn off a few calories before the big meal.
