Alumnus Talks Squash and Sportsmanship with Students

Highly accomplished college coach Charles “Sean” Sloane ’60 returned to Canterbury recently to chat with students about two topics—squash and sportsmanship—that are near and dear to him.

Addressing the defending NEPSAC Class E champion Girls’ Squash team, Sean spoke of how squash is the fastest-growing sport in the world and will be introduced as an Olympic sport beginning at the Los Angeles games in 2028. He also offered a piece of advice that could benefit the students off the court as well. “Always travel with your squash racquet,” Sean told them, adding that they will always find courts wherever they go, and the game is a great way to meet people and make connections.

As the young players listened from the bleachers in the Saxe-Castellini Squash Pavilion, Sean also talked about showing good sportsmanship in all situations on the court. He noted that because squash is such an individual sport, you must be of high character and conduct yourself well. By way of example, he told of a young player he once coached who intentionally gave up a point in a match simply because it was the right thing to do at the time.

It is not often students get to hear about the topic from someone who actually has a sportsmanship award named after him. In 2005, the College Squash Association renamed its team sportsmanship award the Sloane Award—and with good reason. During a decorated career coaching tennis and squash at Williams College for 17 years and at Haverford College for 21 years, Sean’s teams were always widely admired for their sportsmanship. It was also important to him that every one of his players got to experience a varsity match, and he always prioritized academics.

His career speaks for itself: 214 tennis victories, 151 squash wins, and multiple Centennial Conference tournament appearances at Haverford plus 13 Little Three titles and 16 All-Americans coached while at Williams. He also received numerous accolades and honors over the years, including the George Basco Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Professional Tennis Association. But for Sean, honesty, integrity, and respect were just as important—if not more so—than winning.

He also enjoyed discussing with students how much the game has evolved through the years, moving from the hard squash balls of old to the softer ones we use today and undergoing major technological advancements to the racquet itself.  

As a Saint, Sean played Varsity Tennis, Basketball, and Soccer; was Managing Editor of The Cantuarian and a member of The Tabard staff; and was involved in Carillon; among other activities. Canterbury did not yet have a squash team at that time.

We are exceedingly grateful to Sean for coming back to the hilltop to share his wisdom and life lessons with our current Saints.