Squash, or squash racquets, originated in 19th Century England from the game of Hard Racquets. The name was derived from the sound that the hollow rubber ball made when it struck the wall. English Army officers spread the game around the world during the zenith of the British Empire.

Squash was introduced to the Toledo Club in 1926 when five courts were constructed in the space formerly occupied by the club's bowling alley. The club had several squash coordinators in the ensuing fifty years who ran tournaments and worked with beginning players. The first full time squash professional was hired in 1974, and the program blossomed with each ensuing professional's tenure. Evidence to the notable strength of the program is witnessed by the four years that the Club hosted the North American Open Singles Championships. This crown jewel of squash was held from 1987-1990 in the 3 walled, glass tour court erected in the ballroom. The glass tour court was also brought in for the WPSA-World Professional Squash Association Championships in 1986. The Toledo Club has held one of the most popular regional tournament events in the form of the Toledo Squash Classic since 1991.

The Toledo Club now hosts one of the largest squash programs in the country with 250 players and 125 in our weekly winter league. The club is dedicated to players of all calibers on its five courts. It also features a fully stocked pro shop to meet all players' equipment needs.

Squash Professional and Athletic Director, John Seidel has the distinction of running one of the finest squash programs in the United States. John was introduced to the game by his father and played at the Indianapolis Athletic Club, where he was fortunate to come under the tutelage of Master Professional, Jim McQueenie. John was captain and played #1 Singles for the Nationally ranked, State University of New York at Stony Brook squash team. He was finalist for the John Skillman Intercollegiate Sportsmanship Award. John was Head Squash Professional at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis from 1984-1987, and Head Racquets Professional at the Baltimore Country Club from 1987-1988 before coming to Toledo in 1988.

John played on the World Professional Squash Association Tour from 1984-1989 and attained a ranking in the top 25 in singles, top 20 in doubles, and a teaching professional ranking of 3. John served on the WPSA Teaching Professional Committee from 1987-1991 and is certified as a level 1 instructor by the WPSA, the highest level attainable. Still an avid player, John has won singles and doubles titles in seven different states and most recently was a semi-finalist in World Squash Doubles Championships (40+ division) in Toronto in April of 2002.

In addition to his duties as Squash Professional, John is also the Athletic Director overseeing all aspects of the Athletic Department at The Toledo Club. He is the immediate past President of the North American Association of Club Athletic Directors (NACAD) of which he has been a member of since 1990.

Squash Directors and Professionals at The Toledo Club

1926-1945	Steve Nowak
1945-1959	Bob Foster
1959-1974	Les Purcell
1975-1976	Jim McCaffery
1976-1979	Tom Rumpler
1979-1986	Charlie McKnight
1986-1988	Bill Austin
1988-present	John Seidel