Cornell to Name Former World #1 David Palmer New Squash Coach
by David Keating

photo courtesy PST

October 19, 2016 - Cornell University will soon announce that former world #1 David Palmer is the new head squash coach for both the men's and women's varsity teams.

Palmer replaces Julee and Mark Devoy, who coached the teams to unprecedented success over the last 12 years. The Devoys retired suddenly in early August due to a serious family medical issue in New Zealand.

The squash season began last Saturday, so Palmer's appointment ensures the team can keep pace with its competitors.

Palmer is the third former world #1 currently coaching a college squash team. He joins Drexel University's John White and MIT's Thierry Lincou.

Palmer is one of the most decorated squash players since 2000. He is a four-time British Open winner and won the World Open twice. He ranked in the top 10 for 10 consecutive years before he retired six years ago. He compiled 66 wins with just 15 losses in World Open and British Open matches.

After retiring, he started the David Palmer Squash Academy in Orlando Florida. Despite the off-the-beaten-track location for squash, many top professional players seek his coaching advice and train with him. Palmer also coached former Canadian and USA junior champion Chloe Chemtob.

While his impressive feats as an individual squash player are well known, Palmer also has deep experience in a team environment. He captained the Australian national team six times.

Both the incoming coach and captains are enthusiastic. Palmer told me he is “looking forward to the challenge of working with and building the team over the years.”

While new to college recruiting, Palmer said he plans to use his contacts around the world to look for the best student athletes for the program. Several college coaches are already helping him learn the ropes.

During fall break last weekend, Palmer was able to meet with two of the teams' captains who had remained in town. Both came away impressed and excited to begin working with him.

Senior co-captain Harry Freeman, who played #1 for the team and took “most improved” honors, told me in a text that he was “overjoyed” that Palmer is the new coach. “I cannot wait to start training with him,” he added. He spoke highly about the “level of commitment and dedication” that he saw from the Devoys. 

Senior and co-captain Rachel Scherman, wrote a text to say she was “absolutely thrilled!  I think he's one of the best coaches out there right now, and he's just what Cornell squash needs” now. She added that “knowing that Palmer will be picking up the job really excites everyone” on the team.

My take is that Palmer’s strengths as a player match up well with the attributes of many successful college squash teams, especially for men.

Palmer told me in a phone interview that he plans to move his David Palmer Squash Academy to Ithaca. He currently works with about 20 PSA touring pros throughout the course of a year. Many of those pros will train from time to time at the Cornell squash courts, giving the students exposure to some of the world’s top players.

He arrives this Friday for a few days to conduct the first practices with the teams. He will also review potential recruits and hopes to snag some before the early decision deadline. He will start on a full-time basis November 1, just in time for the Ivy Scrimmages Nov. 12-13. Palmer’s wife and kids will soon join him in Ithaca.