ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NY – Bard College head squash coach Craig Thorpe-Clark announced this week that he is stepping down from his position after more than a decade leading the programs.
 
"Serving as the head coach at Bard and working with these student-athletes has been extremely rewarding both personally and professionally," said Thorpe-Clark. "I am grateful for the commitment the athletes have given the program and the sport of squash throughout their time competing for and representing Bard College. I look forward to remaining involved with the program, the athletes, and the alums, both on and off the court."
 
Thorpe-Clark came to Bard first as an assistant coach following 11 years as the head men's coach at the University of Pennsylvania, and was named head coach of the Raptors' men's team in 2014 and started the women's team in 2016.
 
"Craig has made an incredible impact on so many student-athletes, both at Bard and his other stops, and we are so lucky to benefit from his experience, attitude, knowledge and humor," said David Lindholm, Bard's Director of Athletics and Recreation. "I served as his assistant coach for my first two years here and learned so much about squash, but also about coaching and mentorship. I am extremely grateful to Craig, and thankful that he'll continue working with our teams moving forward."
 
A fixture in American squash, the native of Australia had a successful career at Penn, twice guiding the team to top-five rankings, and coaching seven All-Americans and six All-Ivy selections. He also served as the head men's and women's coach at Vassar for four years prior to starting at Penn.
 
Thorpe-Clark also continues to serve as a coaching instructor for U.S. Squash, having originally created the organization's Level 1 Coaching Manual and Course, and earned numerous accomplishments with the U.S. national teams. He coached the World Championship team in 1994, led the U.S. Women's team to a second-place finish at the 1995 Pan American Games, and served as the women's head coach for the 1996 World Championship in Malaysia.
 
Bard will undergo a search for a new head coach over the coming weeks.