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.
