Bob Callahan, my Princeton squash coach, is being inducted into the U.S. Squash Hall of Fame on Wednesday, October 12th at the US Open squash tournament. I’ll be there.
From the press release, which is posted at DSR:
Callahan’s induction ceremony will take place on Wednesday, October 10th on the main court immediately following the conclusion of the 6:00pm match. Trinity Men’s Head Coach Paul Assaiante is expected to introduce Callahan.
In a bit of luck, that happens to be the night I already bought tickets to the US Open.
I first met Bob Callahan when I went to one of the Princeton Summer squash camps. Bob used to run those camps. The thing I remember most clearly is at the end of the camp, Bob would spend a few minutes talking about each camper, with all the parents listening attentively and beaming as Bob regaled them with tales of their children’s squash exploits.
When I later ended up playing squash for Princeton, I discovered Bob’s speeches were not just limited to camp. They were everywhere! Before the season, after the season, before practice, after practice, before matches, after matches. He would always take a few minutes to talk up a player, or the team, or our opponents that day. He talked up everyone but himself.
Not surprisingly, Bob had a significant influence on my life. His support helped me get into Princeton. I was a strong student, but that’s dime-a-dozen stuff. Bob’s support loaded the dice in my favor.
From there, so many things flowed. Just as a small example, my career on Wall Street started when a fellow Princeton alum noticed me wearing a Princeton hat and struck up a conversation with me. And later on, I married a Princeton classmate. Too many ripples to count.
Bob’s a true gentleman and a classy statesman for the sport of squash. I’m proud to know him. He belongs in the squash Hall of Fame, and I’m happy I’ll be there to see his induction.
Links
An article about Bob’s career in Princeton’s local paper.
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