POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 3, 2016) – Director of Athletics and Physical Education Michelle Walsh has announced that David Ames will take over the Vassar College men's and women's squash programs as the interim head coach for the 2016-17 season. Ames will take over for Jane Parker, who will be moving on mid-way through the month to take a job at SquashSmarts in Philadelphia, PA.
 
"We are pleased to announce that David Ames will be serving as our interim squash coach for the 2016-17 academic year," said Walsh. "His familiarity with our program and with Liberty League squash will enable him to hit the ground running and make an immediate positive impact on the team."
 
Ames comes to Vassar College with nearly 20 year of coaching experience, having spent time from October 1993 through March 2013 at nearby Bard College. During his first 10 seasons with the Raptors, Ames served as the assistant coach before being elevated to the head coach in October 2004.
 
Ames would serve as the head mentor for the Raptors from 2004 until March 2013, where he was responsible for all coaching, recruiting and administrative duties of the squash program. Before coaching at Bard, Ames was a graduate of the College, as he helped start the program at Bard while working on his undergraduate degree.
 
A Level I Certified Squash Coach, he has also served time as a personal trainer at Fitness Unlimited in Kingston, NY. During his time as a personal trainer, he helped design and implement fitness programs while teaching classes as well.
 
Ames will start this tenure with Vassar Tuesday, October 4.