As both Penn squash programs found success in their 2013-14 campaigns, there were two men who were pivotal in the team’s performance, all while working behind the scenes.
Gilly Lane and Richard Dodd are two assistant coaches who have made an immediate impact during their time with the Red and Blue.
“It’s not possible we finish 8th [for the men] and 3rd [for the women] without them,” head coach Jack Wyant said.
Lane, a Penn alum who graduated in 2007, was a decorated member of the Penn squash program as a four -time All-Ivy and two-time All-American selection. Lane was also the first player in Penn history to receive the College Squash Association’s Skillman Award, an annual award given to a player who exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership and achievement over their career.
After Penn, he spent time on the professional squash circuit, rising through the world rankings to his highest mark at No. 48, the second-best ranking ever for an American.
Lane also worked as a private squash instructor before coming to Penn and trained some of the nation’s top junior squash talents.
“My experiences playing in the pros and running my own business were amazing,” Lane said. “I’ve tried to bring my experiences here.”
Lane had spent time as a volunteer assistant during the 2010-11 season before going back to running his own business as a private instructor.
Coming back to coach at Penn meant that Lane would have to give up his business, but he knew what he wanted to do. Deciding which program to work for was an easier decision.
“This program means a lot since I played here,” Lane said. “I always had a special place in my heart for this school.”
Lane’s alumni ties to the Red and Blue made the program more enticing than the more successful Ivy programs such as top-ranked Harvard, which tried to hire the former Quaker.
Coming along for the ride was former Yale player Richard Dodd. After graduating in the spring of 2013, Dodd was working for the Quakers within months of his commencement.
“It was definitely a weird experience,” Dodd said. “Coaching against a team I played with was interesting to say the least.”
Coming in fresh off a collegiate squash career, Dodd brings a more modern mindset to a team that used some of the same strategies he was taught during his four years.
“They bring in a new culture,” senior co-captain John Dudzik said. “It really motivated us throughout the year.”
During his time with the Elis, Dodd also was a part of a team that snapped an enormous streak. Trinity had a 252-match winning streak that spanned 14 years and was the longest winning streak in collegiate sports history.
Yale’s 5-4 win in January 2012 closely mirrored Penn squash’s 7-2 victory over Princeton that snapped a 40-year, 45-match losing streak.
“Both Gilly and I have been involved in big matches,” Dodd said. “Belief was the big thing that we instilled throughout the year.”
These young coaches have helped their players improve their game throughout the year as well, even helping some players deal with adjusting to college squash.
“As I hit with Gilly more I got used to the pace of the game,” men’s sophomore No. 1 Tyler Odell said.
“They’ve been very helpful,” women’s sophomore No. 2 Yan Xin Tan added. “They’ll come in even if you want to hit on Saturdays.”
Having coaches who can keep up with the pace of their young players has pushed both squads to new heights this year.
“They have motivated me,” women’s senior co-captain Courtney Jones said. “They make me want to be the best player I can be.”
“I’m happy to have both of them this year,” Tan added.
So is Penn squash’s fan base.
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