Philadelphia, PA – October 2, 2018 – Beginning on Saturday, Philadelphia will host the 2018 U.S. Open Squash Championship with a new title sponsor, FS Investments. The event will be held October 6-13, 2018 at Drexel University and is considered the most prestigious squash tournament in the United States, showcasing the top players from around the world.
Executives from FS Investments will participate in a series of events throughout the week to highlight values the company shares with US Open Squash – providing access, working with the community and pursuing excellence. FS’s support will directly underwrite US Open Squash’s in-kind partnership with Philadelphia’s award-winning SquashSmarts program, which provides underserved youth from public schools academic mentoring and access to the sport.
“At FS, we believe it’s important to support our city and its institutions,” said Michael C. Forman, Chairman and CEO of FS Investments. “In sponsoring the U.S. Open Squash Championship we are helping drive Philadelphia’s position as a global city, promoting Drexel University and expanding resources for SquashSmarts and the students it serves.”
FS Investments Executive Involvement:
Oct. 6: Steve DeAngelis, President & Head of Distribution, will kick off the U.S. Open with the First Ball.
Oct. 9: Steve DeAngelis will present the awards for sportsmanship during the Character in Sports Day.
Oct. 10: Lisa Detwiler, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, will provide remarks during the Women in Sports event on October 10th, where Julieanne Harris will be awarded the achievement Bowl for her notable contributions to the advancement of squash.
Oct. 11: Michael F. Gerber, Executive Vice President will help kickoff an important announcement regarding the Arlen Specter National Center.
Oct. 13: Michael C. Forman, Chairman & CEO, will present the trophy to the winners of the tournament.
“We are very excited about our partnership with FS Investments,” said US Squash President and CEO Kevin Klipstein. “Their engagement will help bolster the U.S. Open as a premiere Philadelphia sports event and world-leading squash championship. FS Investments shares our values of access, community and excellence and helps us deliver on our mission to use squash to support communities and create opportunity for those who most need it.”
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, “I want to thank FS for the strong corporate leadership it provides Philadelphia, its commitment to the community through the FS Foundation, and its sponsorship of the U.S. Open Squash Championship, an event we are extremely proud to host here in our beloved Philadelphia.”
The U.S. Open is the longest-standing premiere professional squash tournament in the U.S. and showcases the best female and male athletes from around the world in the eight-day Platinum Professional Squash Association (PSA) championships. Hosted in partnership with Drexel University since 2011, the Open has been a leader on the PSA Tour, pioneering prize money parity for women and men in 2013 as well as forward-thinking creative approaches to event presentation and community engagement. It hosts events throughout the week for the local community as well as celebrating equality, sportsmanship and the women’s sports community.
Here is a link to a promotional video produced by FS Investments for the event. Credit: FS Investments
About U.S. Open Squash:
The U.S. Open Squash Championships is a PSA World Tour Platinum event and one of the most prestigious titles in the U.S. and worldwide. Established in 1954, the U.S. Open attracts the top professional squash players to Philadelphia and brings together the squash community for a week-long celebration of the sport.
About FS Investments:
FS Investments is a leading asset manager dedicated to helping individuals, financial professionals and institutions design better portfolios. The firm provides access to alternative sources of income and growth, and focuses on setting industry standards for investor protection, education and transparency.
FS Investments is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA with offices in New York, NY, Orlando, FL and Washington, DC. Visit www.fsinvestments.com to learn more.
About SquashSmarts:
SquashSmarts is dedicated to improving the lives of underserved youth from Philadelphia public schools by providing intensive, long-term academic tutoring and squash instruction while imparting high standards of personal integrity, health and fitness, and service to the community.
SquashSmarts is a 501c3 non-profit headquartered in Philadelphia, PA with program locations at Drexel University and The Lenfest Center. Visit www.squashsmarts.org to learn more.
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Media Contacts:
Kate Wilhelm, FS Investments
C: 856-304-7232
Kate.wilhelm@fsinvestments.com
Chris McClintick, US Squash
646-218-0458
media@usopensquash.com
Nabilla Ariffin, SquashSmarts
215-221-6860
nabilla@squashsmarts.org