Phenomenal fan support raises the excitement of the finals

A fanatical Harvard student, shows they don't only spend time in the library at Harvard...

Raucous crowd adds color, excitement life: As Harvard enjoyed its home court advantage in the final match this afternoon, the loud roars of the crowd were bound to generate a bit of controversy. Some fans wondered about the effect of the crowd on the players' concentration. It did have an effect, but mostly a good one, increasing the level of play and excitement.

Coach Bill Doyle of Harvard, remarked, " I would rather lose in front of this exciting crowd than win in the hermetic confines of the traditional squash club." Bill knows of what he speaks: His men's team was on the losing end of a dual match a few weeks earlier against Trinity College, of Hartford, in front of an even larger (estimated 1400 spectators) and louder crowd. And his remarks foretold tonights results, as Princeton toughed out Harvard and the home crowd, 5-4.

Bill is right, though. The large and loud crowds bring to college squash a feeling of having arrived as a mainstream sport. This feeling was missing, even at the Tournament of Champions in New York. Consider this: The Princeton and Harvard women's teams played out this match in front of a larger crowd than viewed the finals between Barada and Power in New York a few weeks ago.

College squash, then, has found a formula in both the layout of their facilities and in the buildup of fan excitement. Other squash groups will do well to look for ways to grab hold of some of the excitement being generated in the college game today.

Princeton Coach Gail Ramsay and Harvard Coach Bill Doyle, share the bleachers as they watch the deciding match unfold.

Impressive coaching talents, contrasts in coaching styles The US women's college game today enjoys impressive and unparalleled coaching: The proven coaching teams at Harvard (Bill Doyle, Muhammad Ayaz, and Chris Brownell) and Princeton (Gail Ramsay) are complemented now by Demer Holleran (perennial US Women's team leader) at Penn, Satinder Bajwa (Jansher Khan's manager) at Bowdoin, Mark Talbott (perennial North American Champion), John Power (Brown), Stuart Le Gassick at Brown, and others.

A few of the coaches on hand: Satinder Bajwa, Bowdoin, Demer Holleran, Penn, Stuart Le Gassick, Brown, and the pioneer women's squash coach: Betty Constanble, formerly of Princeton.

The Princeton - Harvard match featured a classic contrast in coaching styles. Bill Doyle has put together a team coaching approach -- using his team of three coaches as a braintrust, that works together with each of the Harvard women's and men's teams. Bill, Muhummed, and Chris spread out across the facility, watching and coaching. Gail Ramsay, at Princeton, works on her own in an effective, low-key approach. Gail quietly watched from the middle of the gallery, while her players paired up to coach each other between games - her quiet style proved effective today.

Increasing levels of play The overall level of play and numbers of strong players in the women's college game today was the most lasting message from the Howe cup. 250 committed squash players, enjoying the game and competing to win made a lasting impression on the spectators.