Tonight at the FS Investments U.S. Open, US Squash awarded the 2019 Feron’s Wedgwood Sportsmanship Trophy to Pat Millman. Kim Clearkin, US Squash’s vice-president of programs and events, presented the award.
“Sports not only build character, but they also reveal character,” Clearkin said. “I have heard it said many times that in order to find out who a person really is or what they are like, play a game of squash with them. You will know their character by the time you finish. If you have ever been on court with Pat Millman, you will already know she engenders all the attributes of sportsmanship: integrity, fair play, and a love of the game. For over a quarter century, Pat has stood for the values of leadership, character, fun, encouragement, tough, and fair competition. Pat’s enthusiasm for the sport is truly infectious. Last year she coached the Scenic City D team from Chattanooga, Tennessee, at Howe Cup. All the women were new to squash and playing their first ever tournament—and they won.”
After accepting the award, Pat Millman spoke about a rivalry with Carole Grunberg and how they cheered each other after one beat the other in a tournament. “I also want to thank my dear husband Richard,” she said, “who has been my biggest supporter through it all.”
Millman grew up in Norfolk, England, and first started playing squash at age thirty. In 1993 she and her husband Richard moved to the U.S. Since then she has coached in nearly a dozen cities across America. Today she lives in Atlanta. An outstanding player, Millman won the U.S. 55+ in 2010 and the 65+ in 2019.
The Feron’s Wedgwood Sportsmanship Trophy started in 1979, is US Squash’s oldest sportsmanship award. Previous winners include U.S. Squash Hall of Famers Goldie Edwards (1980), Carol Weymuller (1988), and Demer Holleran (1989); last year’s recipient was Abby Markoe.