Oct. 23, 2007

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - More than 150 friends of the Navy squash program gathered at Halsey Field House last Saturday for the dedication of two international squash courts, as well as the playing of the annual Bowen Cup. The morning festivities were kicked off by the christening of two international squash courts that now completes the Halsey International Squash Courts Complex, the site of the 2008 College Squash Association Men's and Women's Individual Championship. Squash alumni in attendance included six admirals, a general, two Rhodes Scholars, five All-Americans and 12 team captains.

In 2000, Friends of Navy Squash (FONS), chaired by Adm. Steve Abbot, USN (Ret.), class of 1966, and Pete Latimer, class of 1960, joined with the Naval Academy Foundation and the Naval Academy Athletic Association to plan private fund-raising efforts to benefit the Navy squash program. Three years after the formation of FONS, phase one of the project was complete - four international squash courts replaced five outdated courts in Halsey Field House. With last Saturday's dedication of the final two state-of-the-art courts and refurbished locker rooms, phase two is now complete. More than $1.5 million were raised for renovations and upgrades to the Naval Academy squash facilities, including a major gift from Ted Gurneé, Class of 1961, and his wife Michelle. The Squash Wing in Halsey Field House is named in honor of these leadership donors.

Thanks to the addition, Navy squash now boasts a 12-court complex featuring international squash courts. Midshipmen head coach Craig Dawson called the facility "one of the top three in the nation" and described the two newest courts as the "best two squash courts in the United States."

Following the dedication ceremony, more than 25 alumni picked up their racquets and challenge the current Navy varsity and junior varsity teams. Named after Vice Adm. Harold G. Bowen Jr. who was a member of the Class of 1933, the Bowen Cup has been a long-standing tradition at the Naval Academy that brings together former and current squash players during Homecoming weekend. This year, alumni represented an amazing seven decades of Navy squash, including Milo Coerper a member of the Class of '47.

While the alumni fell short of beating Navy's current corps of squash players, every win represented a Navy victory. The alumni team won eight matches with wins covering five decades - Bud Parker '55, Pete Latimer '60, Mark Harper '75, Larry Dirita '80, Dave MacEslin '80, Jeff Davila '86, Mike Elliott '96 and Gad Nestle '97.