Before representatives from the nonprofit Capitol Squash came to his sixth-grade classroom at Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy, Angel Salgado ’29 had never heard of the sport of squash.
Seven years later, in the 2025–26 academic year, Salgado became the first Capitol Squash graduate to attend Trinity, where he joined one of the most prestigious and successful men’s squash teams in the country.
Do not miss the story of that initiative, Urbansquash, within one of the most famous Universities, Trinity.
Back to the Basics
“We didn’t touch a racquet for a couple of weeks,” Salgado says of his introduction to the sport and to the mission of Capitol Squash. “It was about teamwork and building connections at first. For me, Capitol Squash was a place to do homework, have 100 percent focus, and get help if I needed it.”
Capitol Squash Executive Director Meg Taylor says that while squash is the hook that gets kids interested, the program’s goal is improving educational outcomes and empowering Hartford youth to reach their potential as athletes, students, and engaged citizens.
“It’s a high-intensity program with long-term expectations and commitments,” Taylor says. Students also take part in weekend activities and a summer program.
The Trinity Advantage
Bantam squash players volunteer to run instructional clinics with Capitol Squash and participate in large events, including an annual fundraiser. Trinity students may also earn credit through Capitol Squash internships.
Taylor says that the younger players watch some of Trinity’s matches. “It’s fun to see it start to register with our younger students that the Trinity players they know are world-class athletes.”
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