NEW YORK — Columbia University Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Peter Pilling announced on Thursday that Chris Sachvie has been named the Kenneth W. Torrey Head Coach of Squash. Sachvie served as Columbia's assistant men's and women's squash coach from 2018-2021 under former head coach Jacques Swanepoel.

"We are excited about Chris returning to lead our Columbia Squash programs," Pilling said. "He brings a wealth of collegiate coaching experience to our department and we look forward to the positive impact he will have on our student-athletes and programs."
 
Chris Sachvie returns to Columbia after spending the past year as the Director of Squash with Arlen Specter U.S. Squash Center in Philadelphia. Before joining the Lions in 2018, Sachvie served as head coach at Dickinson College after the squash team was added in 2014.  

In four seasons at Dickinson, Sachvie grew the men's and women's teams into top ranked programs. He improved the men's team's CSA national ranking from No. 55 in 2015 to as high as No. 17 before his departure, while the women climbed from No. 33 to up to No. 18.
 
Prior to Sachvie's post at Dickinson, he spent time at Brown University as an assistant men's and women's squash coach, and as St. Lawrence University's graduate assistant with men's and women's squash.  
 
"I am very excited, both for Chris and for Columbia squash," says Swanepoel, who was the first-ever full-time varsity head coach in school history. "Chris is a great leader and will set a fantastic example for the teams. He knows the program intimately and has the vision, skillset and passion needed to take Columbia squash to new heights. The athletes will benefit from Chris' deep knowledge of the sport, as well as the concern he has for the well-being of his players.
 
"The program will be in great hands and I'm really excited to see what CU squash will accomplish under Chris' leadership."
 
In his collegiate playing days, Sachvie was a member of the varsity squash team at Cornell University. He found success with the Big Red, having been named to the All-Ivy League team for 2008 and 2009, and an All-American from 2008-10. Sachvie also served as team captain for three years.
 
"I am honored to be appointed the Kenneth W. Torrey Head Coach of Squash at Columbia University; this is a dream opportunity for me," Sachvie said. "Having spent three years as an assistant for the squash programs, I experienced how special Columbia University is and I look forward to reconnecting with the campus community, athletics department and squash players. I am excited to build on the strong foundation in place and achieve more exciting milestones for the men's and women's programs."
 
Hailing from St. Catharine's, Ontario, Canada, Sachvie also brings international coaching experience. He has coached the Canadian Junior teams in the CAN-AM Battle of the Border on ten occasions at the annual event. He also organized international trips for junior squash players to Europe and served as the director for the North American Junior Squash Championship Tournament.

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