Founded in 2001, SquashSmarts is a free intensive out-of-school time program changing the lives of Philadelphia’s public school students. SquashSmarts is a 501c3 non-profit academic and athletic mentoring program with a proven track record of keeping kids in school, in shape and on track for graduation.

Contact: Stephen Gregg, Executive Director | 215.221.6860 | stevegregg@live.com | www.squashsmarts.org
3890 North 10th Street Philadelphia, PA 19140

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A seven-year commitment to each child ensures long-term success by providing a team, a family, a safety net and a sense of belonging. Strong one-on-one relationships with staff and volunteers are the key to fostering every child’s success, while also helping to break the cycle of Philadelphia’s public school dropout rate. Put simply, SquashSmarts is giving kids their best shot

 

Chase is one of Philadelphia’s foremost philanthropists and devoted squash players. Over the past two decades, he has personally taken it upon himself to volunteer with our students on a weekly basis and make a personal connections with each SquashSmarts girl and boy in the program to ensure they have a meaningful, engaging experience.

In 2007, Chase turned SquashSmarts’ dreams into reality with the construction of the incredible Lenfest Center in North Philadelphia’s Hunting Park, a state-of-the-art 52,000 square foot community center built just for kids. To this day, Lenfest Center, with its 8 international squash courts, 2 learning centers and office space, serves as SquashSmarts headquarters.

Each year, Chase makes countless life-changing individuals camps and summer opportunities possible for our student-athletes, including: a 16-year partnership with Philadelphia Outward Bound that enables middle and high school students to challenge themselves and their teammates through a series of one-day, five-day and fourteen-day insight courses and outdoor leadership expeditions; squash tournament entries at Berwyn Squash & Fitness and The Racquet Club of Philadelphia; and a “Day at the Shore” where Chase personally chaperones twenty of SquashSmarts newest team members for a day at Ocean City’s Boardwalk.

Equally telling of Chase’s long-term commitment, dedication and investment in SquashSmarts youth, for the past 10 years (starting in 2008) Chase has devoted every Father’s Day Weekend to our girls and boys by coaching and rooting them on at the National Urban Squash Individuals Championships at Williams and Amherst College.

“The bond Chase has formed with SquashSmarts is truly uncommon. In a city rooted in philanthropy, Chase’s genuine desire to help young people improve their lives through sports and education goes beyond your typical altruism and support. Chase cares, and he cares deeply, about each child. He’s an inspiration to our entire program.” – Stephen Gregg, Executive Director

“As a team member for seven years, I can say Chase would come in every Wednesday and hit with us. He’d always ask about our family and our schoolwork. He is a great person” – Quinetta Bowden, SquashSmarts Graduate

“Each year, SquashSmarts travels to New York and Massachusetts for the National Urban Squash Championships. Every year, Chase is right there with us rooting on our kids. He’s a huge part of our SquashSmarts family.” – Sakora Miller, Squash Director

SquashSmarts Board of Advisors, 2002-present

SquashSmarts Board Member of the Year, 2005

SquashSmarts Honoree, The Rally for SquashSmarts (2004)

SquashSmarts Honoree, BestShotBall & Lenfest Center Grand Opening (2007)