A record number of attendees descended upon the Specter Center on Sunday, October 19 for the Open House ahead of Round 1 matches of the 2025 Comcast Business U.S. Open Squash Championships.
From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Specter Center opened its doors for clinics and round robins for players of all ages and experience levels. Specter Center pros were joined by Ganek Family Head National Coach Nick Taylor on court to provide feedback before the Specter Center transitioned to tournament mode. More than 70 people attended the morning’s festivities, including a group of Squash ACES from Franklin & Marshall.
Top international players practiced on courts next to amateur players, all enjoying the game.
Games and photo opportunities were set up on the Specter Center’s doubles courts with opportunities to win swag and pose with pictures of Open competitors. Games included guessing the number of squash balls in the container and attempting to hit targets along the front wall.
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Amateur and pro players alike took to Specter Center courts to improve their squash skills, including Amanda Sobhy, who posed with fans in the Fan Zone ahead of the evening’s match.
“It’s amazing to see. The goal of this facility is to get more people involved in squash; to have a full house and an open house to encourage people is what the sport needs and exactly what the Specter Center stands for,” said Sobhy, who beat France’s Melissa Alves in three games. “Part of the joy of doing what I do is to inspire others. I meet amazing people and hope to continue inspiring the next generation of players.”
Match play for the first round of the Open began at 12:00 p.m. ET, with free general admission tickets offered all day, welcoming in squash die-hards and newbies alike to the first day of the nation’s most prestigious tournament.
“The Open House exceeded capacity and we kept up a good crowd throughout the day,” said Kim Clearkin, Chief Programs Officer at US Squash. “The atmosphere was all we could hope for.”
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