ithacalocal.org

Squash Thrives in U.S. Thanks to Klipstein

Staff Report / FLXlocal.org

**Squash Gains Popularity in the U.S. Under Leadership of Cornell Alum Kevin Klipstein**

Squash is earning its place in the national spotlight, with significant growth in popularity and opportunities under the leadership of Kevin Klipstein, a 1991 graduate of Cornell University. When Klipstein took the helm as president and CEO of U.S. Squash nearly two decades ago, a study showed that while 90% of people globally were aware of squash, only 10% in the United States recognized the sport. Today, with a team of 40 employees, U.S. Squash has made tremendous progress in changing that narrative.

Under Klipstein’s leadership, the U.S. women’s squash team has risen to the rank of second in the world. Additionally, squash will make its debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, marking a historic milestone for the sport. Klipstein predicts that by the end of 2026, over half of Americans will be familiar with squash.

A former squash player for Cornell’s Big Red, where he was a co-captain his senior year and a Second Team All-American, Klipstein has channeled his passion for the sport into broadening its reach. His most significant strides include bringing squash programs to middle and high schools across the country, fulfilling his vision of making the sport accessible to young athletes. Klipstein reflects, “When I first started, I would have said my vision was for a 12-year-old girl in Iowa to be introduced to the sport and aspire to be an Olympian—and I can say we’ve done that.”

With squash on the rise in the U.S. and its inclusion in the global Olympic stage, the sport’s future looks promising as attention and resources continue to grow under efforts like U.S. Squash and Klipstein's leadership.

Source: Cornell University

Source Type: College

Source Location: Ithaca

Feb 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM

College