Home of Harvard Squash and Tennis
Harvard's Murr Center opened in May of 1998. While the building
houses the state-of-the-art facilities for the squash and tennis
teams, it services the entire intercollegiate program -it is a
centrally-located home for the department's administration, and
also houses a newly-revamped strength and conditioning facility
that serves as a training ground for Harvard's 41 varsity teams.
The dedication plaque in the front lobby reads "Michael C. Murr
'73, MBA '75, Longtime friend of Harvard, whose vision and
generosity offer new generations of Harvard men and women the
opportunity to realize their athletic potential."
The showpiece of the Murr Center is its Lee Family Hall of
Athletic History. Along the walls is a timeline of the Crimson's
long and rich athletic tradition, and there are also free-standing
displays of the proud tradition of the nation's oldest - and
largest - Division I athletic program. This space is available to
be rented for functions or events.
The Murr Center tennis courts, a state-of-the-art complex
complete with spectator seating, received a 1999 USTA Facility
Award which recognizes high standards in public tennis facilities.
Its six indoor courts, combined with the 18-court Beren outdoor
facility gives the tennis teams arguably the finest facilities in
the Northeast.
For directions and parking information, click here.
The Murr Center also houses 16 international-size squash courts,
giving Harvard a home deserved of its stature as one of the
nation's top programs. Now Harvard boasts the finest college squash
facility in the country, complete with five feature courts that
accommodate close to 1,000 spectators. And its location, adjacent
to Harvard Stadium, ties it into the framework of Harvard's
athletic landscape.
For more than six decades, squash events took place at Hemenway
Gymnasium near the Law School. But with the sport changing to
softball in recent years and with the old Hemenway Courts being of
smaller size, neither Crimson squad had been able to host a match
and the teams even traveled off campus to practice on regulation
courts.
The gallery above the court is named for
long-time Crimson squash mentor John ("Jack") M. Barnaby II '32.
Barnaby served as head coach of the Harvard men's squash program
from 1937 to 1976, and won 17 national team championships while
accumulating an incredible record of 346-95 (.785) in those 36
seasons. He then returned to head the women's program for three
seasons from 1979-82, and his teams went 28-4 (.875). Barnaby's
combined coaching record for both programs was 374-99 (.791) in 39
seasons. He also served as head coach of the Harvard men's tennis
team for nearly 40 years and led the Crimson to 371 wins. In honor
of Barnaby's unending dedication to Harvard racquet sports over the
past half-century, the gallery is officially named the
John M. Barnaby II Squash and Tennis Galleries.
Murr Facility
Hours
Tennis and Squash Court Hours
Facilities Overview Page
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