Squash is heading back to school ... Harvard, no less. Following on the success of the several U.S. Open events in Boston, Players Circuit founder John Nimick anticipates sell-out crowds and an inviting atmosphere at the inaugural Players Cup to be held March 4-7, 2008 now located at Harvard University's Murr Center.
The move of the inaugural Players Cup to Harvard¹s all-glass show court has also resulted in title sponsorship of the event by the court¹s manufacturer McWIL Courtwall.
In another exciting sign of the world¹s attention on squash in Boston, England¹s former World No. 1 and World Champion, Peter Nicol, has been named the Official Tournament Ambassador and will be involved both on and off court in select tournament activities.
Nimick explains, "The debut of the McWIL Players Cup 8-man championship in Boston calls for an intimate and personal venue. Harvard's eagerness to host the event coupled with their first-class 300-seat, four-sided squash arena proved irresistible, prompting the decision to move the event from the Back Bay Events Center."
The concurrent decision by McWIL Courtwall to undertake the title sponsorship role is a wonderful endorsement of both the event and the new location. Not least of all, with the support of McWIL Courtwall tens of thousands of sports fans will view the McWIL Players Cup matches on national and international television as well as live on the Internet."
Regarding Nicol, Nimick says, "Peter's presence is a huge plus for us. Not only is he one of the winningest-ever professionals, but he and his company Eventis are one of the leading promoters of the sport. Getting him on court in our newly titled Best of Boston vs. One World Champion Lightning Round is a great coup."
The four-day McWIL Players Cup tournament will culminate with a finals exhibition sure to be as exciting as the competition itself. Peter Nicol will take on seven of Boston's best players as he vies to be crowned the first McWIL Players Cup Lightning Round victor. Nicol, who won a staggering 52 PSA Tour titles and spent a total of 60 months ranked world number one, retired in 2006, but is still a force on the court.
A fierce competitor, Peter is best known for his ability to retrieve the ball and wear out an opponent. In addition to competing in the Lightning Round, Nicol will also be calling select matches during the free live webcast of the McWIL Players Cup produced by Telimage Productions and seen at www.squashlive.com.
Satinder "Baj" Bajwa, head squash coach at Harvard and former promoter of the Super Series Final in England, enthuses, "We have always had an interest in hosting the world's best squash players here at Harvard. To serve as the location for the first McWIL Players Cup is truly an honor." Bajwa successfully directed the PSA World Tour¹s unrivaled 8-man playoff event for 11 years, eventually moving the prestigious championship to Broadgate in
London where it became a sporting fixture of the city.
All matches will be played on the Murr Center's McWIL Courtwall show court. Featuring four glass walls fabricated with a unique double-dot treatment, the walls allow players to have an accurate view of the ball, while
spectators are able to enjoy watching play on the court. The ceramic dots are fired into the glass during the tempering process and thus provide not only the vision features, but also a playing surface with proper "grip" for
the ball.
David Carr, McWIL Courtwall CEO, notes, "Baj and the Harvard community take their squash very seriously. We are very proud of the show court we developed for their facility and are even more thrilled to be the McWIL
Players Cup title sponsor and have this opportunity to take center court at the tournament.
The McWIL Players Cup is sponsored by McWIL, Dunlop, Shipyard Brewery, WBUR, and Dover Rug Company and supported by Cross Courts, First Republic Bank, Natixis Global Advisors, Kansas City Life, Pinnacle Real Estate, Grand Circle Travel and Mass Squash Association. Additional support comes from McCall & Almy, Brown Brothers Harriman, Foley Hoag, Chubb, University Club of Boston and many generous individuals.
2008 McWil Players Cup Schedule:
Quarterfinals Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Quarterfinals Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Semifinals Thursday, March 6, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Finals & Exhibition Friday, March 7, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
For further information and tickets
Call 877.524.5685
Visit www.playerscupsquash.com & www.squashlive.com
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