Hall of Fame Award

The Maryland Squash Hall of Fame was conceived in 1997. Ambassador William H.G. FitzGerald, founder of the FitzGerald Cup Match between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., was the first Honorary Member. In 1998, at the Baltimore Invitational Dinner Celebration, held in their honor, seven of Maryland’s greatest champions became the First Class of inductees. Since then, twenty-eight additional Marylanders, plus four honorees, have earned their place in Maryland’s Squash Hall of Fame. Wade Johnstone, this year’s inductee, is number twenty-nine. Bob Travers, one of the founders of the Hall of Fame and Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee, is pictured with his wife Arden. Bob became a Hall of Fame member in 2016. Bob and Arden are Sponsors of the 2022 Awards Celebration. Over the past twenty four years, ten Hall of Famers have passed away. Their names are marked with crosses. The Maryland Squash Hall of Fame is a lasting tribute to their remarkable lives.

History

The Maryland State Squash Hall of Fame was officially founded in January 1998. It was established on behalf of the Maryland State Squash Racquets Association (now Maryland Squash) by Robert S. Travers, John Voneiff and Robert Everd who were officers and board members of the Association (MSSRA). The goal was to identify and formally recognize those Maryland residences, both amateur and club professionals, (past and present), who had established notable records of play in local, state, regional, and national events with each individual compared to their specific group.

In addition, the Hall of Fame designation of “Honorarium” was created to acknowledge those non-Maryland residents (amateurs and professionals) who participated in multiple Maryland State Squash tournaments or United States Squash championships hosted by Maryland Squash. Through their support of Maryland Squash, these stellar national champions enhanced the game of squash in Maryland.

The first honorary member, Ambassador H.G. FitzGerald, was awarded his certificate during the 1998 playing of the annual FitzGerald Cup Match, a competition between the best players from Washington DC and Baltimore. Ambassador FitzGerald was presented his certificate of election at his Washington DC home following the playing of the 1998 FitzGerald Cup Match. The first individuals inducted into the Maryland State Squash Hall Of Fame were awarded their certificates during a ceremony at a dinner held at Baltimore Country Club that was part of the 1998 Baltimore Invitational Doubles/Singles Tournament.

The Process

The Maryland State Squash Hall of Fame is administered by the Maryland State Squash Hall of Fame Committee, which is overseen by the President and officers of Maryland Squash. The committee meets several times a year or as needed to consider potential Hall of Fame members. Members of Maryland Squash are encouraged to submit potential inductees to the Hall of Fame Committee. When a potential candidates is identified, the committee reviews that individual’s record of play. A majority vote of the committee, in favor of a candidate’s election, is required for the committee to then advanced its recommendation to the President of Maryland Squash and his/her Executive Committee for final approval.

Certificates of Election are awarded at a presentation/dinner celebration or an alternative formal function. Newly elected members of the Maryland State Squash Hall of Fame receive a certificate of membership from the Maryland Squash Board of Governors and its membership that displays the seals of Maryland Squash and Maryland State Squash Hall of Fame that is endorsed by the President of Maryland Squash, Chairman of the Maryland State Squash Hall of Fame Committee and a serving Maryland Squash board member.