Image shows the Daskalakis Center at Drexel University
Philadelphia – U.S. SQUASH announced that Drexel University will host the 2011 U.S. Open Squash Championships, the most prestigious squash tournament in the country, from October 1-6 at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. The tournament will showcase the best men’s and women’s squash players in the country with $175,000 prize money on the line.
“Drexel University is delighted to host the 2011 U.S. Open Squash Championships in Philadelphia, the cradle of liberty and the home of many of the game’s most storied players and historic squash venues,” said Drexel President John Fry.
“Drexel University is founded on equality and competitive opportunity in venues that extend beyond academics, including the frontiers of entrepreneurship, technological innovation and athletics.
“The championships will be hosted in an urban collegiate athletic facility that will attract a diverse fan-base. We are truly honored to be the host of this remarkable championship.”
The tournament will host both the men’s and women’s championships for only the second time in the event’s history. The event will be streamed on www.psasquashtv.com and the broadcast of the semi-finals and finals will reach 250 million households worldwide.
In the United States, ESPN3 will also broadcast the semi-finals and finals of the Men’s Championships online reaching 60 million households. Squash is played by 15 million people in more than 150 countries.
U.S. SQUASH and Drexel University will partner closely to host the Championships. Drexel has an extensive background in hosting major events, including the 2008 USA Table Tennis Olympic Trials.
This news comes in the wake of the recent announcement that Drexel will also be hosting the 2013 Division I, II and III Men’s Lacrosse Championships.
The US Open moves to Philadelphia after two years in Chicago, firstly in an open-air space off Michigan Avenue and last year on-stage at the Pretzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.