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Baltimore joins the urban squash movement!
Baltimore's squash scene is about to gain a new dimension. Starting this month, students from Booker T. Washington Middle School will join our inaugural team!
Following the success of 10 urban squash programs across the country, SquashWise combines squash instruction, academic tutoring and community service to empower under-served youth to excel academically, athletically and in life.
We are so excited to see the program grow from an idea into a reality!
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Our History 
Baltimore SquashWise was founded in 2007 by a group of Baltimore and Boston-area squash players committed to making change in Baltimore.
Over the past year, SquashWise founders and Board members have been planning, raising funds, and developing partnerships in preparation for its launch this fall.
While SquashWise is the first combined squash and academic program of its kind in Baltimore, it builds on the Meadow Mill Athletic Club Foundation's programs teaching squash to over 200 students from the KIPP school and Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Back to Top | |
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Booker T. Washington Middle School
Historic School is Sure to Make History with SquashWise!
We are excited to partner with Booker T. Washington Middle
School in west Baltimore. The school is located just 3 miles from our facility,
Meadow Mill Athletic Club, making it an ideal location for the program. The
Principal, Dr. William Bailey, is working hard to improve the school's
academic standing. He and Assistant Principal La'Tanya Robinson are committed to providing quality after-school
programming to Booker T. Washington students.
SquashWise
joins these efforts to improve the school's attendance rates and
test proficiency scores by providing intensive tutoring and social
support to sixth grade students at the school. Booker T. Washington
students have few
school-sponsored athletic opportunities outside of
the regular physical education program. SquashWise
students will have the chance to exercise their bodies and minds by learning a brand new sport in a safe and stimulating environment.
SquashWise Begins Recruiting its Inaugural Class!
"When do the squash people come back?" -- Booker T. Washington 6th grader
Booker
T. Washington students, teachers, and administrators were in for a
treat when SquashWise visited the school to
introduce the program to the entire sixth grade class. Over 90
students had the opportunity to play squash during PE classes in the month of September. Last week, students tried out for 16 positions on the team. Booker T. Washington students and staff have the
right energy for this program to succeed. Look out for more details on our inaugural team coming soon!
"Fitness
is as important as being well educated -
Just as the mind is a terrible
thing to waste,
so is the opportunity to become physically fit.
We are
extremely excited to become a partner
with the Baltimore SquashWise
program.
Who knows, even I might play!!"
-- Dr. William Bailey, Principal
Booker T. Washington Middle School
Executive Director Abby Markoe
with sixth grade students at the
SquashWise school assembly.
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Meadow Mill Athletic Club Partners with SquashWise!
Meadow Mill Athletic Club, the country's largest commercial squash court facility, has generously donated court and classroom space to SquashWise. The facility is home to a thriving squash community and it is a hub for junior squash activities. Meadow Mill has hosted nationally-renowned competitions such as the U.S. Squash Junior Nationals and has welcomed many urban squash programs to compete at the club. SquashWise students are lucky to be surrounded by this community - they will have countless opportunities to watch competitive matches and participate in junior competitions right at home in Baltimore.
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SquashWise Scores with a $50,000 Challenge Grant from the National Urban Squash & Education Association!
SquashWise reached a major fundraising goal this
summer! After raising $100,000 from charitable individuals and
organizations, the National Urban Squash & Education Association
(NUSEA) granted SquashWise $50,000 in matching funds as part of its
Star Membership program. NUSEA is a member organization of existing
urban squash programs from Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Chicago.
NUSEA supports the growth of urban squash by offering development
grants and advice to emerging urban squash programs. SquashWise was
pleased to be selected as NUSEA's first-ever Star Program, entailing
the largest grant to any new urban squash program and the participation
of Greg Zaff, NUSEA's Executive Director, on the SquashWise Board of
Directors. We are grateful to have access, through NUSEA, to the
accumulated experiences of urban squash founders and directors from
across the country. Over the next two years, NUSEA will continue to
match funds raised by SquashWise!  "NUSEA congratulates Baltimore and it's new program, Baltimore SquashWise, for its selection as NUSEA's first-ever Star Program" |
Meet our Staff!
Executive Director:
ABBY MARKOE
 Abby is excited to bring urban squash to Baltimore! She brings her experience teaching and working with youth, along with her love of squash. Abby has been involved in squash programming in Baltimore since 2006 when she coordinated a program for 5th graders from the KIPP School to learn squash at Meadow Mill Athletic Club. From there she saw the need for an urban squash & education program, and joined forces with other founding members to launch Baltimore SquashWise. As an undergraduate at George Washington University, Abby was the co-captain of the women's varsity squash team in 2002-2003. More recently, Abby came from a graduate program in public health and history at Johns Hopkins University. She is an active player at Meadow Mill Athletic Club. Above all, Abby is a huge fan of Baltimore, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the city's youth.
Part-Time Program Coordinator:
TARALYN GONZALEZ
 SquashWise welcomes Taralyn
Gonzalez as our first Program Coordinator! Taralyn is a junior at Morgan State
University in Baltimore, where she studies Business Administration. Starting in middle school,
she was one of the first members of StreetSquash, Harlem's urban squash team. We
are so excited to see the urban squash movement come full circle and we are
fortunate to have access to Taralyn's years of experience with urban
squash! Back to Top |
Board of Directors
Charles Wise, President & Chairman
3 TIER
Douglas Hoffberger, Vice President
Keystone Realty Company, Inc.
The Hoffberger Foundation
Nancy Cushman, Secretary
Meadow Mill Athletic Club
Owen Knott, Treasurer
Knott Mechanical, Inc.
The Marion I.& Henry J. Knott Foundation
Dan Dent
DF Dent & Co.
Peter Heffernan
Meadow Mill Athletic Club
Benjamin D. Horowicz
Miles & Stockbridge, P.C.
John H. Laporte
T. Rowe Price Associates
Sage Platt
Platt Development Group
Greg Zaff
National Urban Squash & Education Assn.
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Calling All VOLUNTEERS!
SquashWise seeks squash & academic volunteers for our weekly program sessions. Help us out for an entire session, or any part. Sessions take place at Meadow Mill Athletic Club (3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Baltimore, MD 21211). *Practices Start November 14th* - Wednesdays, 3:30-6:00 pm
- Fridays, 3:30-6:00 pm
- Saturdays, 1:00-4:00 pm
Want to help but can't commit to a weekly gig?No problem! You can help by chaperoning a Saturday field trip, suggesting an activity, or sponsoring a visit to your place of work. Anything to expand the horizons of our students! Abby Markoe (410) 402-0085, abbym@baltimoresquashwise.org |
SquashWise Thanks its Supporters!
We thank the many donors who generously contributed to our first-year fundraising campaign from September 2007-September 2008. Their early involvement demonstrates the philanthropic community's excitement for urban squash! Special note should be made of the key operational support provided by the Maryland State Squash Racquets Association during this campaign.
The Alex. Brown & Sons Charitable Foundation William & Anna Boardman Ariana Markoe
The Eliasberg Family Foundation Nancy Cushman M. Lee Marston
The Fancy Hill Foundation Daniel F. Dent James & Leslie Meek
F&C Management** David & Anne deMuth Patrick & Julia Miller
Harrow Sports, equipment Chris Feiss & Hadley Hubbard Anna Minkowski
The Hoffberger Foundation, Inc. Mark Fetting & Georgia Smith Charles Obrecht
The Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation Bruce Fleming Wells & Mary Obrecht
Maryland Capital Management Earl & Martha Galleher Dr. & Mrs. Robert E. Ottenritter
Maryland State Squash Racquets Association Jay Griswold Hunter & B.G. Purcell
Meadow Mill Athletic Club, sports facility Ben Griswold Bill & Susie Rienhoff
Miles & Stockbridge, P.C., legal assistance Harry Gruner Brian & Mary Jo Rogers
National Urban Squash & Education Assn. Peter Heffernan & Maureen Walsh Landon Royals
nVisionGraphics, logo & design Douglas & Catherine Hoffberger Stewart T. Shettle, U.S. Trust
Oasis Fund Leroy Hoffberger Alva & Eleanor Weaver
Paternotte Family Foundation Chris Holter Bill & Blair White
Platt Development Group Benjamin & Elizabeth Horowicz Charles & Nancy Wise
Royals Commercial Services Jason & Stephanie Jones Peyton & Charlas Wise
Verticity, website design Owen & Erin Knott Ben & Noel Young
West & Costello, LLC John H. Laporte
The W.P. Carey Foundation Martin Markoe & Leah Augenbraun
We also thank our anonymous supporters for their generosity!
 **F&C Management Named SquashWise "Charity of the Year" for 2008.
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Want to Donate?
SquashWise relies on charitable donations from individuals, institutions, and foundations for its financial and operational
stability. We would be grateful for your tax-deductible donation. Please make your check payable to: Baltimore SquashWiseSend to: Baltimore SquashWise c/o Abby Markoe 914 N. Calvert St. #3 Baltimore, MD 21202
We want YOU to donate! You can also donate online securely through PayPal! Click the tab below.
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