Thank You & Good Bye

By Shawn Patton
Owner, Editor of Squash360
** Site closing November 21st **

First off, let me express a most sincere thank you to all of the squash fans around the world who visited squash360.

When we launched during the third week of January earlier this year I would have never imagined this site would be viewed by people from over 130 different countries. Thank you.

It is a very daunting task maintaining a website; somehow getting people to find you, get in habit of visiting; trying desperately to assemble and keep the content fresh, interesting and varied. A great many people contributed generously and selflessly by forwarding e-mail newsletters, providing articles, results, pictures, videos, interviews, quotes, web links and more. Thank you.

With any endeavour there are peaks and valleys and if you are fortunate you have people around you or who reach out to you … they support you, help you keep perspective, and manage somehow to keep stoking the embers of hope of future success, they encourage you to persevere, try and convince you that you are doing good and maybe, just maybe, making a difference. There are some truly amazing people in squash in this regard and I have been fortunate to have met some amazing people. Thank you.

My wife and children had far fewer hours with and a more stressed and grumpy husband and Dad. The understanding, support and sacrifice (time and financial) is noticed and appreciated. Thank you my darlins for letting me try.

The following people deserve specific mention as they made squash360 possible in one or more of the ways mentioned above. Thank you and please accept my apologies in advance for:

- not giving proper credit, acknowledgement to some very special individuals, efforts and gestures I have received

- inadvertently and regrettably failing to include someone

Thank you:

Adrian Battersby

Alain Geerts

Alan Thatcher

Alex Beam

Alison Waters

Amr Shabana

Andrew Dent

Andrew Shelley

Angus Kirkland

Antonia Sweet

Barry Faguy

Ben Taylor

Benjamin Uliana

Bob Callaghan

Borja Golan

Brooke Siver

Bruce Alexander
Carl Petersen

Carlisle Stockton

Carolyn Russell

Chris Walker

Cliff Wenn

Colin McQuillan

Colleen Turner

Daniel San Martin

David Carr – McWil

David Palmer

Derek M. Hansen

Donna Wilson

Edward Wallbutton

Eli Slyder

Emily Randolph

Eric Wiliams

Esteban Casarino

Farraz Hussein

Farrukh Khan

Fritz Borchert

Gail Ramsay
Gary Denvir

Geert Dijkstra

Gordon Kerr

Graham W. Brown

Gregory Gaultier

Haseeb Anwar

Howard Harding

Ian MacKenzie

Imran Nasir
James Daigle

James Zugg

James Poole

Jansher Khan

Jean Delierre
Jim Wellington

John Flanigan

John Nimick
Jonathan Bates

Jonathan Regenstein

Jonathon Power

Jos Aarts

Julian Illingworth

Justin Cook

Kashif Shuja

Kevin Conlan

Kevin Klipstein

Kevin Kydd

Kim Tunney
Liz Shaughnessy

Laura Mauer
Liz Irving

Louise Larson

Lorraine Siew

Mark Sachvie

Martin Bronstein

Matthew Dale

Melanie Jans

Michael Bello

Michael Fiteni

Michael T. Bello

Mick Fiteni

Mike Corren

Mike Thompson

Mithun Mukherjee

Natalie Grainger

Natasha, Sebastian, Talia Patton

Nelson Neto

Nicol David

Pacey + Pacey Design
Paul Marley

Patricia Lyons

Peter Bryttne

Peter Langmaid

Pixel WebMedia

Rachel Pearse

Renato Paiva

Reyna Pacheko

Richard Graham

Robert Edwards

Robert Pacey

Rod Gilmour

Ron Beck

Ross Triffit

Roy Ollier

S&J Naughton

Samantha Teran

Sarah Kippax

Sean Sunderland

Seshadri Raghavan

Shakiru Matti

Shauna Flath

Shaun Moxham

Shona Kerr

Simon Scott

Steve Coppinger

Steve Crandall

Steve Townsend

Struan Bates

Stuart Hardy

Super Charged Racquets & Upparel

Tim Bacon

Tim Garner

Tommy Berden

Viktor Berg

ZeeShaan Jamal

Ziad Al-Turki

www.squashblog.co.uk
www.flickr.com/photos/30372311@N04/
http://squashrepublic.blogspot.com
http://scienceofcoachingsquash.wordpress.com/
http://nicoldavidonline.blogspot.com/
www.vanityfair.com/online/style/squash/
www.westernmass-squash.com/
www.squashlive.com
www.psalive.tv
www.squashplayer.co.uk
www.squashtalk.com
http://mysquashpage.ning.com/ ** CLOSING **

Squashsite's feigned closure, re-capitalization and re-organization has caused much soul searching and a two paths diverged in the wood moment for me and squash360.com.

It crystallized a need for Shawn and Squash360 to unequivocally either:

1. try and find partners, resources to have any hope of effectively "competing" head-to-head or becoming a credible supplement to their dominant web offering
or

2. use the website as a "soap box" or vehicle to communicate some last unvarnished, uncensored ideas, concerns and then "Ride into Sunset."

To be blunt, I have no plans, ideas, energy or interest in going cap in hand for #1 above. This against my capitalist values and would be hypocritical as I believe this was the tactic of squashsite in their announced "closure."

   PSA & SquashSite Negotiations Falter ... SiteSquash to Close?
   Squash Site - The End
   SquashSite Closes from SquashBlog

Quite frankly I am emotionally, physically and financially spent.  I have realized with much regret, I don't have any of the reserves necessary to be able/willing to continue the uphill battle. The light at the end of the tunnel is quite simply not getting or likely to get brighter.

Despite my efforts and those of many others,
Squash360 will shutdown permanently and completely on November 21.

I feel like I am failing to find that last push in the fifth game, quitting and letting some of you and our sport down. As painful as it is, I too have to look in the mirror, look forward and be honest with myself concerning my efforts, failures and the basic business economics of a squash website with questionable prospects for breaking even or prevailing against entrenched thinking, processes and relationships.

I am admittedly burnt out and frustrated with many (not all) in our sport (general public, sport administrators, pro players, coaches, squash businesses, etc) that depending upon the individual or group seem apathetic, content with the squash status quo and/or uncomprehending, unwilling or oblivious to the ethic, necessity of supporting others within our sport if we want healthy competition, alternatives and for our sport to grow and be vibrant.

At Squash360 we had no delusions of competing on immediacy and volume of professional squash coverage. Given resources, revenues, geography, time zones, Steve's work ethic, existing web & magazine relationships, pro & college squash media dynamics and my perceptions of where the true business opportunity was to be found, among other things we tried to be different and gain traction with our:
- coverage of the game beyond tournament scores, post match quotes in the hopes of appealing and growing the squash audience pie beyond those already avid consumers of info on the pro or college game
- pro-active attempt to aggregate a range of writers, content from around the globe, parts of our sport (visibly showing and directing traffic to the source)
- use of video and web technologies

- willingness to publish a range and of opinions, ideas ... not to sensationalize, but to provide healthy scrutiny, commentary and diversity.

Unlike others (especially squashsite.co.uk, did I say that aloud?!) we tried not to censor, be sycophantic or only permit a view of our sport only seen through rose coloured glasses. We welcomed and indeed encouraged and sought a full range of comments, articles, thoughts, suggestions and ideas.

With this in mind, if YOU have some ideas, topics or issues to communicate or share with the squash community, here is your chance before the site / soap box is gone. Contact me by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Before we close, I hope to share your thoughts and will share a few more of my ramblings, observations and ideas ... please check back.
   My Squash Ideas
   UQOD … UKPSA or PSA
   What’s wrong with Squash
   What was the motivation for Squash360?   Why the undercurrent of friction with SquashSite?
   Squash360 Version 2.0   Blueprint for what we hoped to build, no Phoenix planned.

The success or failure of a website in the scheme of things is such a trivial thing. Let me end by asking you to reflect on what you have done in the past and will do in the future to contribute and give back in so many different ways to this great game.

My heartfelt thanks for all your support,

Shawn

Comments (21)

...
written by Faraz , November 19, 2008

I am sorry to hear about the site having to close. It is quite a loss to the squash community. Any resource is valuable to us, considering how there are so few out there. My suggestion is to keep it active, but just spend the minimal ammount of time you have available. Spending too much time on something without receiving proportional returns is a recipe for burnout. So just kick it down a notch and you will be fine.

...
written by Turner , November 18, 2008

The sport has a great amateur effort to run alongside the men and women professionals and we are very happy to keep it that way.
The problems of the pro game are well documented and until the UK public wake up to the sport it will never change much in my opinion. It is a natural minority sport played by millions and watched by very few compared to other sports.
Money might make a difference but not enough to elevate it to the levels that Mr patton dreams about. He is an optimist but his views are unrealistic.
Contrary to a view expressed here I am not all for maintaining the status quo but welcome new developments. But the wider picture is not too good for the sport. Courts closing all the time and few girls playing at amateur level.

...
written by Phil , November 16, 2008

As business and marketing professional with a special interest in squash I have tried a number of times to contribute and provide support and insights to the PSA, WSF and England Squash. I have come to the conclusion that apart from the efforts of Paul Walters the sport is very much an amateur community and as far as it goes it works just fine that way. Do we want something more? There is just no way that the curremt govenors of the sport would look anything but amateur alongside their counterparts in other Olympic sports for example. To be a serious, acknowledged, professional and professioannly managed and run sport perhaps? From the responses I have had over the years from the powers that be, the answer has to be a resounding "No!". That is understandable. If the sport were any of these things there would probably be no place for most of today's govenors. But if there are going to be any changes, sites like this are what will drive them. Frankly if this debate is about balance then the loss of this site, another amateur effort though it may be, can only be a loss to the sport.

...
written by 7 , November 15, 2008

I am sorry to hear of your closing. I check this site out frequently and enjoyed the content.

Unlike some others, I also enjoyed reading the criticism and opinions on this site. Someone has to say this stuff and its too bad that you had to endure the backlash for your honesty.

While I don't know enough about the workings of the WSF, PSA etc. to comment intelligently, I totally agree with your thoughts on the pathetic Olympic marketing efforts. Totally amateurish. It seems like there are too many former players at the helm and not enough professionals who actually know what they are doing.

It was interesting to get some insight into the politics and administration of the squash world. This sport is sorely in need of some fresh blood -- people with vision, leadership and new ideas.

Squashsite is great for an up to date laundry list of tournament results. But this site really filled the gaps with lots of insight, information, news, discussion points, and opinions.

I really enjoyed Squash360 and am sorry to see it go. Thanks for your efforts.

...
written by Steven Polli , November 15, 2008

Such a shame to lose a great squash web site.

As long as there are more than two people on earth, there will alway be opposing opinions, but please know that the vast majority of squash players were grateful for this site. How obviously thankless a task it is to run a site like this when you read these ungrateful comments. And remember, to be able to criticize this site means that these people voluntarily logged onto your site. How ironic.

You will be missed.

...
written by Ron Beck , November 15, 2008

Hi Shawn,

I am sorry to discover the news of your closing. I have very much welcomed all your fresh ideas and edginess. I know first hand about all the difficulties you talk about! It is an odd paradox that for people who truly love the sport of squash, when one starts working on its behalf, then you have less time to play and enjoy the game you love. You can take that to its logical conclusion ...

Thanks for your good contributions.

Ron

...
written by For heavens sake , November 14, 2008

Well done Adrian19, that certainly made a positive contribution to the debate. By the way, is the 19 your age or your IQ?

...
written by Adrian19 , November 12, 2008

RJ... you're straight up garbage.. trash... pathetic actually...

...
written by RJ , November 12, 2008

Squashsite.co.uk closed and there were dozens of comments and concerned squashers scrambling to find solutions and ways for the site to continue on the Lets Talk Forum

Contrast this with the small number of supportive comments here.

Food for thought Shawn & Squash360 on your ride into sunset. May be many people happy to see you get on your horse.

...
written by LK , November 11, 2008

I'm really disappointed about this. I only discovered this site recently. My opinion is that it is a very good site. Not quite as quick on news as some others but much better on things for players (instruction, tips, and commentary).

I really don't know any of the background about rivalry between squash websites. I don't see why any of them need to be mutually exclusive. I'm a squash fan and check every squash website I know about routinely. There's room for more than one. All can receive my CPMs and click-throughs.

As for some of the negativity I'm seeing from others here - I figure if you go through the effort to put up this site, you can do it in any style/tone that you want. It's probably an edge opinionated for my taste, but that probably reflects your passion for the sport. I'm OK with that.

Just don't take the competitiveness, critics, and sacrifices so hard. Move the website to a free blog site if it helps. Only contribute where you can - don't put your life in deficit to make it happen. But don't stop the presses entirely! There's some really good stuff to share!

...
written by Walt , November 11, 2008

Turner, guessing youre one of the admins or other squash gray hairs used to getting a free ride from any any review or criticism of your actions and effectiveness (or lack of). Click around the www.squash360.com site, open your eyes and your mind. Seems to be a very broad range of articles by my way of thinking.

Maybe the tone and points are pressing a nerve, but maybe that should tell you and others something.

Maybe a little too close to the truth

...
written by Turner , November 10, 2008

I am not surprised this site is closing as it seemed to be constantly criticizing the game and the powers that be. Its OK to be critical occasionally but alot of the statements seemed to be unfairly critical of a small game that tries its best but is competing against huge sports out there.

...
written by Mainser , November 10, 2008

As a comparative newbie to the game and the coverage (or rather lack of it) and the politics I have to say I am somewhat bemused and confused.

Great site - I hope you can get Alan Thatcher to do one final piece for you as he has the stature and reputation which many other writers aspire to - it will be sad to see it close.

Best of luck with all your future endeavours.

For all those who have made sarcastic or acerbic comments on this piece, take a look at yourselves. You have the right to your opinions, I respect that, but if you truly believe that squash is a sport which will be better served by less coverage controlled by less people then there is, quite frankly, something missing in your logic!

...
written by Peter Bryttne , November 08, 2008

Hey, Shawn!
It does make me sad to hear that you are throwing in the towel. We need more coverage and more interest around our sport and not the opposite. Since we appear to be one of the hidden or forgotten sports in media we must make the best possible use of new medias like the web.
We must find ways of promoting/supporting amazing individuals like Shawn and other so that they can ways of improving overall coverage of our sport.
I have been promoting what I thought was a good cause through a Fair Play Award in a couple of PSA tournaments through my company. Sure I knew that there would be very limited promotional/marketing effects - the reason for doing it was that I hoped to do something good for the sport.

I think there's so much to be done to promote our sport. Make it less UK based and more worldwide. Come up with better and better solutions on how to televise and share it. Make it more attractive to new players, sponsors etc etc. Get it to grow!

I think Squash360 was one step towards the goal of getting the sport to grow.

It makes me sad to once again get the feeling that our sport is heading the wrong way.

All the best from
Peter

...
written by Richard , November 07, 2008

A real shame.

It's generally recognised that a society is stronger when there is freedom of the press and the right to voice dissent.

Squash360 was such a voice - even though it was (frequently)presented in a tone that was uncomfortably ascerbic and direct.

There were some good points in the mix, too.

Best of luck, Shawn.

...
written by Harvey Ballbanger , November 07, 2008

I will miss this site too, you brought a new fresh approach to squash sites. But don't you see the irony of your article? The people you criticise for being 'calcified and elderly' have been taking the hits on their personal lives for years. They too have have to balance a career, marriage, the children's ballet classes and yet they stick with it, despite the insults. You have ridden in, made a lot of noise for 9 months and then realised it is all too hard. So now the old guard have to carry on. Fram and Steve have made these sacrifices for years too and yet you have to have a final snide attack on them as you ride off. You could have been a contender kid - but it takes more time than you were able to invest.

...
written by Jester , November 07, 2008

Notice the difference between Shawn's swan song and Steve and Fram? On their way out (if that was ever their real intention) Squash Site waxed on all about their efforts, expenses, sacrifices.

Where was the acknowledgement of other people and their contribution?

Any mention of their shortcomings?

Didn't always agree with you, but always appreciated another squash website to visit. Going to miss squash360, another sign of the tough economic times, but admire your "capitalist" mindset of not looking for a handout or subsidy.

Looking forward to your articles before the 21st and even better a Sugar Daddy to keep the website afloat. But guessing you're not the type to take charity or reverse yourself.

...
written by Adrian19 , November 07, 2008

HEY PAUL,

Show yourself and let's treat you as you should be be...
Where are you paul...
It won't be forgotten...

...
written by Paul , November 07, 2008

Get over yourself and be gone already.

Steve and Fram day in and day out give me more and better coverage without the high and mighty soap box as you call it.

Squash is just fine despite your assertions to the contrary and will be better off after your sun sets.

...
written by Skid Boast , November 07, 2008

This sums it up for me and why I am saddened to see the failure of your site and the back of your horse's ass:

"apathetic, content with the squash status quo and/or uncomprehending, unwilling or oblivious to the ethic, necessity of supporting others within our sport if we want healthy competition, alternatives and for our sport to grow and be vibrant."

Squash, just like voters, sometimes gets what it deserves.

...
written by Adrian19 , November 07, 2008

This is BS. Sucks so bad. Was an awesome site too.

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