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Lancaster, PA, USA
From Dulcey Antonucci
College President John Fry announced today that Franklin & Marshall College will launch in January 2009 Squash ACES, an urban squash outreach program that promotes academic achievement for low-income public school students.
Modeled on squash programs such as CitySquash in New York and SquashBusters in Boston, Squash ACES helps students develop the academic and life skills to promote success in high school and college. It is the first of its kind in a small city.
Sixteen students from Lancaster School District's Reynolds Middle School will be chosen to participate in the after-school program that includes 45 minutes of tutoring with F&M students and 45 minutes of instruction and play on the Franklin & Marshall squash court. The program is designed to create educational opportunities for young people.
Former number-one squash player in the world and F&M's head squash coach John White says, "Squash ACES is a great way to get kids involved in a new sport and also help them in their studies. It shows them that if they excel at school and in sport, they can have the chance to go to college."
The program is made possible by the generous support of two donations, one of which is anonymous. The Coleman Fung Foundation, which supports education and environmental causes, has pledged $100,000.
Founder Coleman Fung of Williston Park, N.Y., says, “Providing unique educational opportunities to underprivileged kids is one of the main objectives of the foundation. We are very excited to partner with F&M and to support the Squash ACES program, a great mentoring and academic opportunity for underserved but motivated students in the Lancaster area.”
Squash ACES (After-school Community Enrichment Strategy) is an affiliate of the National Urban Squash and Education Association. After an initial three-year pilot phase that will serve 48 middle school children, Franklin & Marshall will expand the program to serve students at other Lancaster public schools.
Director of Franklin & Marshall Athletics and Recreation Patty Epps says, "The mind-body-spirit ideal is at the heart of F&M's athletic mission, and our student-athletes will be inspirational role models for the Lancaster city school pupils. The goal of Squash ACES is to combine academic enrichment with athletic training and sportsmanship to enrich the lives of our children. "
F&M Squash Page
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