In the fall of 2017, after seven years at Baltimore’s SquashWise, Hope Blinkoff Lynch headed north to her hometown of Buffalo, NY, hoping to introduce the success of the squash and education model to a new community. Hope hit the ground running, assembled an outstanding board of directors, partnered with local schools Nardin Academy, West Hertel Academy and West Buffalo Charter School, and recruited 25 fourth and fifth graders to join the program.
In late November, 716 Squash reached a milestone when it was officially welcomed by the SEA Board of Directors as the 19th member program, bringing the network to a total of 19 U.S. programs operating in 23 cities.
MetroSquash Executive Director David Kay, who serves on SEA’s Board of Directors, visited the Buffalo program this fall. “716 Squash provides a best in class illustration of what can happen when a passionate leader, an engaged local board, and strategic guidance from a national governing body, join together effectively to launch a program.”
As an SEA member, 716 Squash will enjoy benefits, including access to squash tournaments, camps, summer academic programs, travel subsidies, staff retreats, and reduced tournament and membership fees through US Squash. Hope and her colleagues were eager to join the network soon after launching. “In my experience,” says Lynch, “if you ask any SEA participant what he/she enjoys most about the program, the answer is almost always, ‘traveling and making new friends.’ Our Buffalo students are now part of an ever-expanding network of opportunities to travel outside of their neighborhoods and meet new people from around the world.”
For Lynch, the impact is what drives her hard work, “Now in my 9th year of involvement with SEA, there’s nothing I’d rather do than help provide access to life-changing opportunities for kids in Buffalo who both need and deserve them the most.”
716’s Vice Chair Carey Anderson has played a key role in the organization’s launch. “It’s been an incredible first year for 716 Squash,” said Anderson. “The stars totally aligned for us in Buffalo with Hope coming back as well as tremendous leadership from a strong board that brought experience and a range of skills to launch our program. The fact that Nardin Academy recently opened a seven court squash facility with a classroom has been key! We’re thrilled for the opportunities we’ll be able to offer our kids because we’re now an SEA member.”