Hope Prockop on Gratitude, Community, and Fulfillment as an Official Referee

    As many followers and life-long enthusiasts know, squash is an addictive sport that roots itself in its players' lives. It’s a sport that sticks with people and forms communities. Not only is it a game within four walls, but also one that exists outside of the court. 

    For Hope Prockop, a decorated player, dedicated coach, and now one of the few female Officials, squash has been the “melody of [her] life’s song” for over four decades. In a recent interview, Hope shared her reflections on her journey through the world of squash and highlighted the profound impact it has had on her life. 

Hope playing at Squash on Fire

    Hope was first introduced to squash at Groton School in 1982, where a math teacher introduced her to the game. From that moment, she was captivated, and squash became her enduring passion. Reflecting on her favorite aspect of squash, Hope emphasized her gratitude towards “the community of people (passionate, dynamic, diverse, young and not young!)...the exercise (nothing compares to squash!)...the opportunities to participate in squash (in all ways all over the world!).

    Throughout her squash journey, Hope cherishes many memorable moments, but none more significant than representing Team USA at the 2006 Pan Am Championships in Medellin, Colombia. She remembers “winning the deciding match for Team USA in the teams final and a few days before, my teammate Ivy Pochoda and I won the women’s doubles event. I came home with two gold medals and teammates for life.”

Hope (in white) posing with fellow Team USA team members Kristen Lange, Olivia Clyne, Natalie Grainger, and Amanda Sobhy

    

    Hope’s journey into officiating emerged from her deep sense of gratitude towards the sport. With encouragement from mentors, she embarked on the referee pathway a decade ago. Since then, her journey has been one of growth and fulfillment, from officiating junior events to college squash and now at the professional level with the PSA.
As a referee, every match presents an opportunity to ensure fair play and uphold the spirit and integrity of the game. This is an honor Hope approaches with humility and dedication. 

    I was curious to know how Hope manages stressful situations where she must make difficult calls and balance pressure from the audience. Hope remarked how in these times, she thinks, “What can I do here that is in the best interest of keeping this match flowing, keeping play continuous, not escalating anything in or out of the court and trying to diffuse conflict all while making a fair decision? Players deserve a calm, consistent and unbiased referee. As referees, we live on high alert and if several things have gone sideways, it can feel intense.”

 Hope (in the center) officiating a match

    

    Hope’s thoughts on the best qualities she has observed in players from a referee’s perspective were incredibly insightful to me as a junior player myself. Hope expressed her appreciation for players who “share a warmup, are respectful of the fact that the interval is an exacting amount of time, are quietly confident without screaming or aggressively fist pumping, and do not interrupt the flow of a match with repeated and unnecessary appeals.” 

    Despite currently recovering from a knee replacement, Hope remains optimistic about her return to the court someday. In the meantime, she will remain outside of the court continuing to develop as a referee. 

    In closing, Hope expresses her deep appreciation for her family's unwavering support and the squash community's camaraderie. She encourages all players and women in squash to embrace the sport wholeheartedly, emphasizing the supportive and welcoming nature of the referee community. “There will be people who will help you develop your style and there are plenty of refereeing opportunities at local clubs and junior events. If you step in to help out and have a few good matches, you might just begin to peel back the layers of discomfort. Additionally, tournament directors love having extra referees on hand.” 

Hope with her family

    “I hope I am making a positive difference in our great sport. It is a true privilege to serve as a referee to improve visibility, equality, fair play, and to illustrate that squash is a game for life,” Hope said. 

    I was greatly inspired by Hope’s emphasis on the enduring power of passion, service, and gratitude within the vibrant world of squash—a community where every player, coach, and referee contributes to the sport's long standing legacy. It’s encouraging and exciting to know that there are so many ways to remain involved within the squash community besides competing.