There was a buzz of excitement at the Brunswick squash courts on Saturday January 26th. Yes, perennial rival Taft had come for a varsity team match, but the unusually large crowd was there not just to watch squash. An invitation had been extended to former varsity squash players, current Varsity and JV players and their parents, the current and former squash coaching staff at Brunswick along with old friends and colleagues of Jim Stephens to attend a special dedication ceremony in his honor. The invitation highlighted the word “SURPRISE”. Mr. Stephens did not have a clue that the Brunswick squash facility was to be named the “Stephens Squash Center”. He was told that there would be a reception following the match to honor the Pedersen family, the lead donors of the facility. It was Peer Pedersen’s (himself an avid player, national doubles title holder, and former varsity player at Dartmouth) request that the facility be named for Jim Stephens.
After the Taft match and a special exhibition match by two former Brunswick squash standouts and teammates – Travis Judson ‘07 and Robby Berner ‘07 -- Tom Philip addressed the crowd, now numbering nearly 130 strong. Mr. Philip welcomed former players and families back to Brunswick and said that squash typifies Brunswick School in that it is a game which requires intelligence, grace, hard-work and sportsmanship. He thanked Peer and Mary Pedersen, along with others, who made it possible to build the squash facility. Mr. Philip said that it had taken nearly 10 years to convince Peer to hold a dedication and when he finally agreed, he requested it be named for Coach Stephens. The assembled guests then turned their attention to the surprised Mr. Stephens who was buried deep among the masses of players, family, and friends. The crowd parted to allow him to walk to the front. As he made his way forward he was applauded and extended joyous high-fives. Mr. Philip went on to say that squash at Brunswick is Jim Stephens. When you think of the sport of squash, you think of Greenwich and in turn when you think of squash in Greenwich you think of Brunswick and then of Jim who grew the program over the last 23 years, starting with 6 or 7 players. After years of begging for court space at local clubs, the new Brunswick facility opened with the King Street campus and is now filled with Middle and Upper School boys all afternoon. There are over 100 boys who play squash this season. Brunswick has met with unbelievable success in squash, and in turn, our student-athletes play for some of the strongest squash college programs, all thanks to Jim’s gentle guiding hand and coaching style.
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Peer Pedersen also spoke noting that Jim Stephens represents what Brunswick is all about: it is about people and Jim is the best of the best. Long after the Brunswick squash playing graduate hits his last ball on these courts, he remembers Jim and what he taught about squash, about life, and about sportsmanship. The final speaker was renowned squash coach Peter Briggs who has worked with Jim and the Brunswick team on an ad hoc basis over the last 20 years. Peter’s remarks are printed in full as they summarize a 40 year relationship started on the squash and tennis courts when Mr. Stephens was in college and Peter Briggs was a twelve year old.
Click here to read Peter’s remarks…don’t miss this as his comments are poignant, moving and offer both squash and life lessons.
The dedication ended with Mr. Stephens…“I am humbled, embarrassed, grateful, honored and proud, proud of the students who play here.” In this choice of words, Mr. Stephens reiterated exactly those aspects of his personality and style which so endear him to Brunswick. With the warm glow of everyone’s comments, the formal part of the dedication was over. The afternoon highlighted one of Brunswick’s best. Congratulations to Jim Stephens and thanks to the Pedersen family for their generosity.
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