Courtesy of Joseph Chapman
For rising senior Joseph Chapman, the game of squash has always been his passion. Ranked No. 1 in the British Virgin Islands, international student Joseph Chapman continues his streak of excellence while on the Yellowjacket roster. The All-Academic Scholar finished second against Hobart College and then third against Franklin & Marshall College on Saturday.
What is your major?
Economics.
Why did you choose to attend school in the United States?
I applied to four universities in England and four in the United States. In England, you choose your major before your first year begins, and have to stay with that major throughout your time there. I’m interested in so many different areas I thought it would be a great opportunity to try different fields. I’ve ended up taking economics, political science, architecture, archeology, journalism, philosophy and entrepreneurship.
Why did you choose UR in particular?
I was looking for a school that had the most challenging academics combined with a good squash team. I’d been following Rochester for a while and had seen their rising success. It was very appealing to join a university that is constantly improving, rather than joining a school that is at its peak, or has no intention of improving.
How did you get your start in squash?
I grew up in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean with my parents and two brothers. We were a very active family — always surfing, boating, golfing, playing rugby, tennis and squash. My dad took me on court when I was about 10-years-old and it became one of our favorite sports. My dad and I ended up playing every day for years and it was a great bonding experience to have at that time. It’s the perfect sport for the Caribbean and you can practice on your own.
What is it like playing on such a diverse team?
Diversity is brilliant for expanding your mind. Since we’ve lived such different lives and had different experiences, we are constantly challenging each other with new theories and arguments about the facets of different subjects. I’ve spent a lot of time with the squash team, from six hour drives to Boston to the numerous dinners we’ve spent on the road.
Are there any particular moments during your collegiate career that stand out as high points in your mind?
As an individual, this year has been my best season yet, playing at No. 3 on the team and having a win against Trinity on the road. I played Miled Zarazua and won a gripping match in five games, (4-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9). The great matches aren’t the matches you expect to win, but the matches you overcome and, in turn, move up a level in your difficult journey of improvement.
What are your goals for the remainder of the season?
There are two events left in the season. For the Team National Championships my goal is to win all three matches and for the team to win the National Championships. Rochester has a legitimate shot of winning and it will come down to the whole team coming together and grinding out the tough matches.
As a senior, what are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation I plan on moving to Europe and playing on the Professional Squash Tour. This involves playing 12 tournaments a year all over the world. The first two I have lined up are in Rochester and the British Virgin Islands for May and June. After that, I will go wherever the tournaments take me, like Paraguay, Hong Kong and Australia.
