(updated 9-aug-10 23:01

Way to Lead Harvard Squash into New Decade

We’re so excited to be able to announce the exciting news of Mike Way's selection as Harvard's Head Squash Coach.  With a Who's Who of resumes from the leading squash players, coaches, and instructors from across the world, Harvard's Athletic Department, led by Bob Scalise, Tim Wheaton, and Pat Henry, conducted a far-flung and laborious search for someone to succeed Baj and lead Harvard Squash into the second decade of the 21st century.  After an exhaustive interview process that included each screened candidate meeting not only with the Athletic Department but also with other key officials at the college, our beloved varsity tennis (and former squash) coach Dave Fish, the incoming men's and women's team captains as well as both teams, and four squash alums from the 70's, 80's, and 90's, no stone was left unturned. 

In the end, there proved to be a number of truly qualified candidates, each of whom would have been an excellent selection.  Mike's experience as a unique educator and passionate coach of champion squash players throughout the world, ranging from Jonathon Power to Harvard's Intercollegiate champion Laura Gemmell ‘13 to top ranked high school players, tipped the selection in his favor.  We are glad to have had the opportunity to participate in this process along with fellow squash alumns, Diana Edge Dowling ‘88 and Jon Karlen ‘94, and we're looking forward to watching Mike and his assistants set a new standard for Harvard and college squash in the years ahead. 

Please read below for the official Harvard Athletics announcement.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Mike Way, a professional coach for more than 25 years and one of the best teachers of the game in the world, has been hired as the director of men’s and women’s squash at Harvard, Bob Scalise, the Nichols Family Director of Athletics, announced Monday.

“We are thrilled to introduce Coach Way as the new director of squash at Harvard,” Scalise said.  “Mike is one of the world’s best coaches and teachers and will be a true leader of our squash programs.  We could not be more excited about the future of squash here at Harvard.”

Way has coached several players of the Professional Squash Association and Women’s International Squash Players Association, including world champion and seven-time Canadian champion Jonathan Power, as well as Australian world champion Sarah Fitzgerald.  In addition, Way guided Graham Ryding to three Canadian titles, Shahier Razik to four Canadian championships and Marine Baizley to two Canadian national titles.  He has also been a frequent guest speaker at coaching conferences held by the World Squash Federation and both the Canadian and U.S. Squash Associations.

“I am delighted and honored to have been offered the position of director of squash at Harvard,” Way said.  “I have coached a number of young men and women over the years who have gone on to compete at the varsity level.  This opportunity will enable me to be an important part of their further development. I am also excited to be part of the broader and dynamic community that makes up the college squash scene.”

Way, who most recently served as the head squash coach at the National Squash Training Centre in Canada, helped create the training center and was an integral figure in developing over 50 world and national champions, All-Americans and junior national champions.  Way has been the primary coach from the U13 category to some of the most successful U.S. college players over the last 10 years, including Harvard’s Laura Gemmell, the 2010 CSA national champion and Ivy League Player and Rookie of the Year.

Way also worked since 2003 as the head squash professional at The Oakville Club, where he was directly responsible for all aspects of the program, leagues, tournaments, clinics, exhibitions and coaching.

Prior to coaching at The Oakville Club, Way was the head squash professional and club manager at the Toronto Racquet Club from 1997-2003.

In that capacity, he managed and supervised all aspects of the National Squash Training Centre, while coaching and training elite athletes.  From 1991-97, Way was the head coach professional and competitive player at the Toronto Athletic Club, developing a strategy for the eventual creation of the national training center.  He was also the head squash professional at the Valhalla Club from 1983-1991 and the Ontario Racquet Club from 1981-83. 

A former professional player, Way reached as high as the No. 14 ranked player in England and was the Nottinghamshire County champion.  He earned a No. 5 ranking in Canada and competed for Canada’s national team, which won  gold at the 1985 Pan-American Championships in Argentina.  

A native of England, Way is a United Kingdom certified squash coach, as well as a Canadian Level 3 coach.