Julie Lilien: A Squash Story, From Personal Passion to Community Impact

We sat down with Julie Lilien, the driving force behind Open Squash’s Junior Scholarship program, to talk about how she’s turned a personal passion into community impact. Julie's lifelong love affair with squash began in her childhood and has evolved into a powerful commitment to community and mentorship. Her story shows the transformative power of squash.

Julie’s introduction to squash was thanks to her father when she was five. “Hanging around New York City and we had nothing to do on a Saturday, he took me and my brother downtown, and we started playing," she said. This early exposure ignited a passion that has stayed with her. “Squash is like my home,” Julie said. “And, you know, the metaphor for that court is like my room.”

That initial spark led to a competitive drive. Julie remembers playing her first tournament at age 12 and, "I think I won that." That early success foreshadowed a career filled with accomplishments on the court. "Yeah. I mean, like 14 times, like now," she said of her tournament wins. 

Julie’s squash journey hasn’t been linear. While she excelled as a junior player, even considering going pro, she took a break in college. "In college, I actually quit, which was pretty dramatic," she said. Burnout and the pressures of being a top player led her to prioritize other things. “But I do remember because my father was very involved in my squash, always supportive, like a great squash parent… I was so scared to tell him." However, her father’s understanding and support were unwavering. "And then he said, ‘I'll support you. I understand. I love you.’"

Despite the break, Julie always found her way back to the court. Julie’s passion for squash is intertwined with a deep commitment to social work. She followed her calling to help others, working as a caseworker in Brooklyn and the Bronx. "I ended deciding I wanted to go into foster care," she said, "and much to my parents’ horror, I went into the bowels of Brooklyn and the Bronx and became a caseworker, with very little experience." 

The experience profoundly impacted her and shaped her approach to life and work. “I think giving back,” Julie said, “I came from a very, you know, family with good values… and I just felt like, you know, I've had a pretty privileged upbringing. So, I was pretty idealistic.”

This idealism led her to impactful work. "I had the street smarts and kind of brought that to my social work," she said. Her tough veneer, honed on the squash court, served her well in the challenging environment. She even returned to school to further her education, becoming a licensed therapist. Julie's career also took an unexpected turn when she spent a decade as a matchmaker. "It is still helping people and hearing people's stories," she said. 

The Open Squash Junior Scholarship Project

Julie’s diverse experiences converged when she joined Open Squash. As the Head of the Junior Scholarship Project, she’s found the perfect blend of her passions. "It went right back to my social work and squash. So, it's like the perfect synergy," she said. The program aims to bring squash to kids who wouldn't otherwise have access. "100% of the kids in the families never heard about squash before."

The project has grown significantly under Julie's leadership. "Now we have about 90 to 100 scholarship kids," she said, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and integration within the program. "One of the key concepts that we talked about from the beginning is getting the scholarship kids in with our juniors, so kind of not segregating," she said. This approach is crucial to creating a supportive and enriching environment for all participants. “Even if they're not the best squash players,” Julie said, “that they become part of this and make friends.”

The Power of Mentorship

Looking ahead, Julie sees a crucial role for mentors. "I just want more one-on-one mentors," she said. "That's kind of a good next step for us is to get our members involved when they can." She believes that mentorship can significantly impact the lives of the young players. “We have to really bring them to the next level,” she said. 

Julie envisions mentors providing guidance and support both on and off the court, offering a valuable connection and role model for the kids. “So, if you want to do your bit for New York society and helping other people who are perhaps not haven't got as many resources as you contact us and volunteer as a mentor.”

A Family Affair

Julie’s family has also been touched by squash. Her son now coaches at Open Squash, and her father, who played into his 90s, serves as a constant inspiration. "He's 99, in June," Julie said. "And he did quit squash, but not that long ago. In fact, I have a video which we may show here of 91 to 92. I'm on the court with him and he's still swinging. I mean, he can put it away." 

We hope we’re still playing into our 90s, too!