Surf City Squash History
In April, 2006, the founders of San Diego Squash felt the time was right to bring a quality urban squash program to the west coast. Greg Scherman and Chris Walker wanted to create an opportunity for underprivileged youth to better their lives through a focused program of squash instruction, academic tutoring and mentoring, community service and cultural experiences. They felt that the program could be headquartered at San Diego Squash with the ultimate goal of growing the program into its own facility nearby.
Surf City was very fortunate and owes a debt of gratitude to the law firm of Cooley Godward Kronish LLP for their pro-bono assistance in bringing Surf City Squash into non-profit status as a fully-fledged 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Scherman and Walker than set their sights on the components where the success of the program could be assured – namely, a dedicated Board of Directors, a supportive school and an Executive Director that could bring an energy and enthusiasm to the early stages of implementation. With this in mind, The Preuss School, a charter school on the University of California, San Diego campus fit the bill perfectly. Not far from San Diego Squash, The Preuss School has now become a staunch supporter of Surf City Squash.
The Board of Directors has gradually grown to include Richard Shapiro, now Chairman of the Board and an active supporter of urban squash in America, Blair Sadler, an avid squash enthusiast and the CEO of Children’s Hospital in San Diego for over 25 years and Palmer Page, the prior CEO of US Squash.
Amidst this process, the search began for our Executive Director. A difficult task for any organization, Surf City has been very fortunate to have hired Renato Paiva, a former Brazilian squash champion who has arrived in San Diego after being the Assistant Coach of the Harvard Men’s squash team for two years.
academic tutoring
squash instruction
community service
