When eight state-of-the-art squash courts are built in a new, 44,000-square-foot athletics facility, which sits on the campus of a school known for its dedicated scholar athletes (not to mention boys' and girls' squash teams that each ranked #16 in the nation last year), it makes sense to hire someone who can expertly oversee their use.

That someone is Tina Rix, who will head the newly launched Big Blue Squash Programs in addition to serving as the Head Coach of the Girls' Varsity Squash Team and the newly created Middle School squash team. Distinct from Pingry's interscholastic squash teams, the goal of Big Blue Squash Programs is to bring the sport of squash to the Pingry community and outside public with recreational play, clinics, summer camp and school enrichment offerings, and lessons offered throughout the year.

A native of Gosport, England, Ms. Rix was recommended for the position by Pingry alumnus and ardent squash supporter Guy Cipriano '74 P '06, '08.

She first picked up a squash racquet at the age of 9. By 12, she was playing at youth and junior tournaments in the U.S. and Europe, including U.S. Squash's Junior Open Championship in 1996, where she was narrowly edged out in the final. At 15, she was playing professionally. She even recalls making an appearance at the Sy Perkins Junior Squash Tournament in Princeton in. Little did she know, 10 years later, she would be back in the state, equipped with nearly a decade of coaching as well as club development and management, more than qualified to launch Big Blue Squash Programs.

Into her teens and early adulthood, Tina continued to play professionally, rising in the ranks to become a member of the English National Team as well as England's U19 team, which won the 2001 World Championships in Malaysia. At the peak of her singles career, she earned a world-ranking high of #69.

As a student at the University of Southampton (UK), where she earned a BSc. in Sports Studies, she took a step back from competition, playing for the school her senior year only. During these years, she worked as a community squash coach for England Squash, developing and promoting the sport within schools.

Not long after her graduation, in 2006, she was recruited by a former coach and leader within U.S. Squash, Brian Patterson, to serve as his assistant pro at the Philadelphia Squash Club (PSC), located at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. For five years, she taught players of all ages and abilities, and ran U.S. Squash events held at the club, including junior, silver, and gold tournaments. In addition to her role with PSC, she was assistant coach of the girls' varsity and Middle School squash teams at the school.

Most recently, she spent five years at Episcopal Academy—a Pre-K through 12 co-ed day school in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania—first as Assistant Squash Director, then as Director. Here, she managed the school's interscholastic and club squash programs, and worked to develop a squash program for their lower school. Under her leadership, the school's boys' and girls' varsity teams became regular fixtures at the national high school championship—the boys' were national champions from 2009-2012, and finished in the top ten the last three years; the girls' finished no higher than #7 in the country during her tenure. (A few years ago, she recalls Big Blue's Boys' Varsity Squash Team defeating Episcopal Academy, her team, at the championship tournament.) She also developed a robust squash program for the local community.

Ms. Rix also serves as Head Regional Coach for U.S. Squash, directing and coordinating training squads for elite junior players throughout the Pennsylvania region. At the Team Regional Championships each summer at Yale University, she serves as a Head Coach.

Still an active, successful competitor in her own right, she plays on the WSA (Women's Squash Association) and WDSA (Women's Doubles Squash Association) world circuits. Sponsored by Harrow Sports for the past six years, she is currently ranked #7 in doubles worldwide. Her passion for a racquet sport is soon to be a family affair. Her fiancée, James Stout, also a professional squash player as well as a world-ranked rackets player, is Head Rackets Professional at the Racquet and Tennis Club in New York.

Pingry welcomes Ms. Rix, and her impressive skill both on and off the court, as the School debuts the new Miller A. Bugliari '52 Athletics Center!

Contact: Andrea Dawson, Senior Writer, adawson@pingry.org