COLUMN: Edwards resigns as squash coach

After six year, he cites need to move on Citing a need to do something else in his life, Ned Edwards -- the head coach of the men's squash team and the director of the squash program at Penn for the last six years -- resigned, effective Sept. 5, 1996. "I've been in squash for so long, I knew at some point I had to make a shift," Edwards said. "And now seemed like the time to do it." A 1981 graduate of Penn, Edwards was the No. 2 ranked squash player in North America for five years. He also won the North American Open title in 1987 and the 1979 intercollegiate championship. Edwards is currently part of the No. 2 ranked doubles team in North America and was selected to coach the U.S. junior men's team at the World Championships this past summer. What made the move all the more surprising was that Penn had one of its best seasons in recent history last year -- ending up as the No. 4 ranked team in the country. "He was an excellent coach," Quakers sophomore squash player Bryan Abrano said. "The move was sudden? but I'm confident that [athletic director Steve Bilsky] can find a new coach." When discussing his accomplishments at Penn, Edwards voiced regret that he did not have stronger recruiting classes. "I think probably I would liked to have recruited more new talent each year, giving our guys a chance to compete for the national championship," he said. After a life dominated by squash, Edwards plans to go into business in New York -- "something outside of sports," Edwards said. Bilsky could not be reached for comment.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.