Greate Bay Squash Program for St. Augustine’s May Help Students Prepare for College

Jan. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Students at St. Augustine Preparatory School are celebrating the holidays with the pop and squeak of a squash ball this year, thanks to a program developed with Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness, the region’s premiere squash facility.

Father Donald Reilly, President of St. Augustine Preparatory School, said students formed a club to learn how to play the sport. “We have 15 boys interested in playing the sport recreationally,” he said. “We’ve noted a spike in the number of young people participating in squash in the U.S.  Students seem to have one eye on the ball and the other on their college applications.  As a college preparatory school, we are dedicated to doing anything we can to help students succeed on the next level of their education.”

Dennis Foreman, Athletic Director at St. Augustine, noted that more than 200 colleges across the country have squash teams, and the number of schools offering programs increases every year. "All nine Ivy League schools have teams, and 21 of the top liberal arts schools have programs as well, so experience in squash can give students a leg up in applying for college."

Greg Park, Head Squash Pro at Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness and team coach, said “squash is a fast-paced game of skill and speed. It increases a student’s agility and helps them focus and develop a better level of concentration. As the students develop we plan to eventually schedule matches with other clubs in the region.”

The program is the brainchild of Mark Benevento, owner of Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness. “This is a tremendous platform for the future of squash in southern New Jersey,” Benevento said. “It’s a good way for the young men at St. Augustine’s Prep to keep fit and competing in sports is a valuable way to build character."

Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness is South Jersey’s premiere fitness facility. Its extensive line of exercise amenities includes state-of-the-art equipment, personal trainers and a dynamic group exercise schedule. The team at Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness is dedicated to maximizing each member experience with a unique blend of programs to improve all aspects of personal health. Greate Bay Racquet and Fitness is also the region’s leading racquet club with two indoor tennis courts, two singles squash courts and two doubles squash courts. For more information, call 609.926.9550 or visit http://www.greatebayracquetandfitness.com.