Simon Brennan '26
Sep 12, 2025
Mercersburg Academy has completed a major renovation of its squash facilities, investing close to $600K in upgrades that administrators say will transform the program's training and match days.
The 20-year-old courts were in need of some updates, prompting the school's advancement office to seek donor support for the project. Chief Advancement Officer John Richardson explained: “Once a facility is identified as a priority, we identify the donors, the alumni, the parents, the friends of the school who might be interested in supporting the project."
The fundraising effort proved remarkably successful, thanks to the generosity of one family. “They were excited to take this on,” Richardson explained. “For this particular project it was completely covered by their support, and they wanted to make sure our students had the best possible facility.”
The upgrades go far beyond design improvements. “The renovations don't change how I coach; they simply elevate practice quality,” coach Dom Benacquista said. “The work eliminated annoying front-wall dead spots and gaps, producing a truer bounce and more consistent rhythm, especially on the courts that were previously most affected."
Perhaps the biggest improvement is the installation of new flooring. "The sprung flooring is more supportive on the joints, especially knees, ankles, and hips," Benacquista noted. “Large sections of front walls were completely rebuilt and side walls reset to proper positions, creating improvements across all ten courts.”
Students are already anticipating the benefits. Senior captain Sidharth Shah '26, who has received two college offers during his time in the program, sees the renovations as transformative for future players. "The generous gift for the new courts will allow my peers to surpass me in terms of squash success, truly helping them change their lives by giving them a strong foundation college-wise and as a person," Shah said.
Fellow captain Dior Mitchell '26 added, "I play smoother on the courts. I hit cleaner shots because the corners are fixed. It will make us wanna practice and boost the team spirit." Mitchell also pointed to how the new facilities lift the squad’s confidence. "When you walk into a space that looks and feels this good, it makes you believe you’re part of something serious. It motivates us to hold ourselves to a higher standard."
Coach Benacquista believes the investment positions Mercersburg for elite competition. "The Flanagan is projected to be the strongest in its history, with two top-10 national programs, led by No. 2 Hotchkiss and two additional top-20 teams," he explained.
The benefits extend beyond athletics. The facilities serve the broader school community through programs like Squash 57, led by squash coach and math teacher Mike Sweeney, which Richardson describes as "a great community building space." Sunday morning sessions regularly attract 45 to 50 participants from across the school’s adult community.
The investment shows a commitment to the program's future. "With that commitment comes responsibility," Benacquista explained. "Our squash program must deliver results that justify the investment and serve the broader community on and off the court."
With the winter season on the horizon, the upgraded facilities have positioned Mercersburg's squash program for what many expect will be its strongest showing in years.