Squash in the Windy City

By FARRUKH KHAN

It's 5:00 pm on a Thursday and the league games are about to start, as I pass the reception in the U Club (short for University Club), I hand my winter coat to the coat-check and I am worried about being late. I see Imran along the way who tells me that "it's all on you". My response is "Yeah, and when has it not been?"

As the bottom guy in the three-man team, one would think that I am "talking big", but Imran is out of it today and we have to win at 1 and 3, since he plays 2. This is the squash scene of Chicago: Arctic winds, snow, ice, rain, puddles, but through it all there is always a good game to be had in downtown Chicago.

Lake Shore Athletic Club Illinois Center is where I play and if there is one thing that you always get there, it is a good game. You might be hitting against a guy who played for the US team, like Beau River, or Imran who might bet money, equity in your business or even Gatorade, all while giving you a seven-point handicap in each game. My advice is to not fall for any of the bets. He has a way of winning when the stakes are high.

The game has come along in the US. I grew up playing cricket and when the winters of the US East Coast did not allow that, I had to go back to my roots so to speak, and so squash became a passion.

Having a last name "Khan" does not help, I was Co-Captain at Columbia University in 1994-'95 and being the only Ivy team that was not varsity we were put against the rest of the Ivys. Our opponents from Penn, Cornell etc would enter thinking they were playing a "Khan" and that was as good as my story goes. The games were rather brief shall I say. The highlights were when I took a game off the Cornell 1, or perhaps the Williams 1.

In my senior year I remember being at the individuals in Williams college. I lost the first match to the Williams 1, 3-1 and then to some guy from Wesleyan 3-2. My team-mate and I then went to the organizers to see if there were more matches, the guy looked at us and said `Why don't you play each other for sandwiches'. That was the end of college squash. I can't forget that sandwich comment.

Chicago does give you good squash. Actually there isn't another US city that needs squash more. Winters are severe and so nothing can beat the feeling of getting a good five-game match in sub-zero weather. What else can you do? Running is hard unless you are one who is suited for indoor running or the treadmill. Squash being indoors is therefore perfectly suited for Chicago.

There is usually a tournament every few months, and so the amateurs get their fair share of competitive squash. People know each other well at the 5.0 and up level. (6.0 is a pro, 5.5 is a very good club player, and then 5.0, 4.5 etc. Each level is easier than the one above, and a beginner would be a 2.5 level). The games have a decent rivalry, especially in the league games. You have: "David Kaye who can knick you from anywhere", or "Imran who will fake you in the wrong direction", or "Beau River too fit and good to lose a point", and of course "Mark Heather who is still good enough to beat a top 100 pro" characters present in the Chi-town game. As you get involved, it's not so hard to play with one of them, or at least shall I say get beaten by one of them.

The story of the outdoor tournaments in Chicago is great, and while we all bemoan the non-inclusion of squash for the 2016 Olympics, the game is definitely on the up. More and more college kids come over to play at the clubs in Chicago. It might be a Dartmouth, Williams, Navy or Northwestern kid that might give you a pretty good game. In most cases they might even beat you.

So, for anyone interested in squash, the Sweet Home Chicago Open in 2008, and now the US Open 2009, is a great example of how much the local community cares for the game. This is the only city in the US that is promoting squash through these outdoor events.

If you are interested in trying or taking up the game, come on over to Lake Shore Athletic Club on Fridays or one of the other local clubs and enjoy a Friday afternoon squash work-out.

One hour of squash will easily burn 500-plus calories. You can't beat having fun and also getting a serious aerobic work-out. The clubs are always looking for new players, and starters are always welcome, so get your racket and shoes now!

About the author: Farrukh Khan is a graduate of Columbia University, where he was co-captain of the squash team. He has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University. A passionate entrepreneur he provides strategic advisory services to mid to large businesses, he is also the founder of a startup technology company based out of Evanston. He is an avid squash player and has been involved with the 2008 Sweet Home Squash Open and now the 2009 US Open.

Local Chicago Squash Clubs:

Lake Shore Athletic Club Illinois Center

211 N. Stetson, Chicago, IL

312-616-9000

Union League Club of Chicago

65 West Jackson Chicago, IL

312-435-5005

University Club of Chicago

76 East Monroe Street, Chicago IL

312-696-2243

Lake Forest Recreation Center

400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest, IL

East Bank Club, Chicago

500 N. Kingsbury, Chicago, IL 60610

312-527-5800

Chicago Athletic Association

12 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL

312-236-7500

Racquet Club of Chicago

1365 N. Dearborn Parkway, Chicago, IL

312-787-3200