Coach Hanscom

2022 Q3

It is with sorrow that we report that Coach Bob Hanscom, longtime Squash Pro at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Founder and Director Emeritus of the Los Angeles Squash Academy, and a trailblazing leader of our SoCal squash community, passed away on May 31st. Bob was honored by Squash Magazine as one of the Top Fifty: The Most Intriguing and Influential People of 2016.

“An ageless godfather of squash in southern California, Bob Hanscom grew up in New England, was a top junior ice figure skater, and after college became an elite gymnastics coach. Thirty years ago he moved to Los Angeles and switched to working as a squash teaching pro, first for seven years at the University Club of LA and then fifteen at the LA Athletic Club. He was also a top referee, top-ranked masters player, and innovative tournament promoter (he ran the 1998 National Singles on a portable court).”

In 2008, Bob started the process of converting racquetball courts at Arroyo Seco Racquet Club in South Pasadena, where he became Head Squash Professional and saw the facility grow to include 5 squash courts. Until his retirement a few years ago, Bob tirelessly recruited talented young coaches along with new junior as well as adult players. His devotion and passion for the sport, insistence on technical rigor (one of his mantras – “don’t forget about the basics!”), and his natural gift for coaching and nurturing young players, is manifest today in the booming squash community at Arroyo Seco Racquet Club – the now-LA Squash Academy.

In true form, Bob had just sent out, the day before he passed away, a constructive, inspiring, and detailed email to LASqA’s junior squash players.

We all carry on Bob’s wonderful legacy and inspiring dedication to the great game of squash. A legend, friend, and selfless educator, he will be greatly missed and forever remembered.