Jim Stephens can remember a time when only a handful of squash courts occupied the town of Greenwich, and possibly even Fairfield County.
Today, inside the Sampson Athletic Center building on the Brunswick School campus, there is a squash sanctuary, more specifically known as the Stephens Squash Center.
Home to one of the nation’s top squash programs, the eight-court arena plays host to head coach Stephens and countless of past and present Ivy League squash players and prospects.
“The town of Greenwich has become one of the best squash towns in the United States,” says Stephens, who has served as the varsity head coach since 1985.
Stephens credits the area clubs such as The Field Club, The Round Hill Club, The Greenwich Country Club, The Apawamis Club, The Westchester Country Club, Chelsea Piers and even some public schools with their role in enhancing the sport.
“There is a lot of interest in squash and it’s a big deal now,” said Stephens.
In fact, it was when Stephens was working at The Field Club that he gave a special opportunity to a younger Hugh Underhill, which then turned into an everlasting competition.
“Jim gave me my first job as a head professional at The Field Club of Greenwich for three years,” said Underhill, who now coaches squash at Darien High School. “Then I became the director at the Round Hill Club and afterwards at the Greenwich Country Club.”
Through their lifetime rivalry, the two have played each other in squash, paddle, tennis, and now in coaching their own varsity level teams against each other. Underhill’s wife, Betsy, is the head coach for Greenwich High School’s varsity girls’ tennis team.
“We’ve been competing since 1973,” they both said at a recent matchup between Darien and Brunswick inside the Stephens Squash Center.
The meeting between the public and private school is as much a competition between future Division I squash athletes as it is of a get-together of two longtime friends—friends with another battle between them as well.
The two watch their teams compete in a neighborly rivalry, although Stephens insists with a laugh, “There’s nothing friendly about it.”
For Brunswick, an undefeated season stayed in tact with the 6-1 victory over Darien, and expectations are at new levels for the Bruins after claiming back-to-back National Championships.
Sitting at 5-0, Brunswick has already tamed powerhouse programs like Episcopal Academy and Avon Old Farms Academy. They are also looking to defend their New England Interscholastic Squash Championship, which they are winners of four years in a row.
“We lost three players from last year, but we also gained three freshman,” said Stephens. “All three of them haven’t lost a match yet and we’ve played some good teams. Based on our win against Avon, I think we’re off to a really great start.”
Stephens also praised the Brunswick Middle School program for being a feeder program into Brunswick’s two varsity-level teams.
“We have a very strong middle school program,” he says. “We may be young, but we’re experienced.”
Nationally recognized squash rosters across the country feature many past and present Brunswick alumni who have been among the elite high school squash players during their time at the all-boys private school.
“Kids also recognize that Brunswick and Greenwich squash is a great entrée into college, too,” says Stephens, who currently boasts a roster of future Ivy League talent. “It’s harder for kids out of Greenwich to go play football or basketball, but every single one of these kids will go on to play for a good college.”
The top matchup of Darien and Brunswick’s meet was between two of the area’s best talent, and two future Ivy League squash players.
Brunswick’s Tyler Carney has already accepted an offer to play squash for Yale University, and would be put up against a future teammate in Darien’s Harrison Gill who is also planning to attend and play for Yale.
“It’s a big relief coming into the season,” said Carney. “It’s some stress off my shoulders. The level of play is still high and you have to still work hard.
The Brunswick senior would fall in the hard fought match that was overlooked by a home crowd of his squash peers and teammates. However, Brunswick would win the other six matches in the contest to keep their perfect season alive.
“Coach emphasizes to push it every single second, and not to give up,” said Carney. “It’s all mental. If you can keep your mental game strong, you’ll be able to remain physically strong throughout the year.”
Five of Brunswick’s other match wins came in straight sets. The Bruins’ No. 2 singles player, Patrick Feeley, needed four sets to take down Darien’s Dillon O’Shea.
Last year’s 4-3 thrilling victory over Haverford, in front of a rowdy crowd in Philadelphia, won the program its second–ever U.S. High School Squash crown.
The now two-time Justi Cup winners at Brunswick now have a chance to win a history-making third consecutive National Championship.
“We have high expectations coming in,” said Carney. “We know to show them respect and play at a competitive level. No matter who the team is, we know we have to give it our all.”
Tate Huffman, Nick Spizzirri, Brian Leonard, Dana Santry and Alex Trauber all picked up decisive wins for the Bruins on the day.
Stephens highlights the importance of knowing the game down to every detail of the confined 20-by-40-foot box.
“You have to know the geometry of the court,” Stephens says. “It’s all about Euclidian angles. It’s all about angles, speed and deflections. You can see it in our play.”
After their battle against Choate Rosemary Hall, Brunswick will take a three-week break until their next match against the tough Avon Old Farms on Jan. 7.
