Head coach David Ames has over 20 years of coaching experience, having spent time from October 1993 through March 2013 at nearby Bard College.
Since his arrival in the 2016-17 season, Ames has led the women's program to a 58-49 overall mark, while the men's squad has a 35-79 record.
On the women's side, seven student-athletes have been named to All-Liberty League Teams, including 2021-22 honoree, senior Nicole Pihlstrom. Additionally, the Brewers women saw Pihlstrom and Isobel Bronson (2020-21) named the CSA Ann Wetzel Award winners - given to an outstanding player in squash who had not previously played the sport prior to their collegiate career.
During the 2021-22 season, both teams had strong efforts, culminating at the CSA Team National Championships. The women's side saw the Brewers bounce back from an opening loss in the Epps Cup against Haverford, to defeat Chatham in the Consolation Semifinals. Vassar shouldered a tough 5-4 loss to Mount Holyoke in the Epps Cup Consolation Championship match. On the men's side, Vassar bounced back from tough losses to Haverford and Hobart in the opening round of the Conroy Cup to post a 5-4 win against Fordham. The Brewers closed out the season and CSA play in a 5-4 playoff loss to Denison.
Both teams saw solid success at the CSA Team National Championships in the 2019-20 campaign as the women advanced to the championship game of the Chaffee Cup E Division for the second straight season. The men's team powered past Indiana University and Duke University to the championship of the Hawthorn Cup at CSA's.
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 2 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.
