Jean is a Connecticut native who has called “the western reserve of Connecticut” her home for the past 27 years, except for five years when she and her family did a stint in Detroit. Jean graduated from Harvard University and the University of CT School of Law, and she launched her career in New Haven, CT where she founded and directed a grassroots tennis program for urban youth that was all about building character and life skills. Her career has come full circle, now that she is pursuing the same mission through the game of squash, which she began playing as a high school freshman at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. During the 30 years in-between these roles, Jean’s focus has always been on empowering young people. She has served as a Guardian ad Litem in Cuyahoga County’s Juvenile Court, coached a girls’ high school tennis team to the Michigan Division IV championship, led the nonprofit Summer on the Cuyahoga which supported college students as they built professional networks in Northeast Ohio, and founded a group mentoring program for middle school students at Urban Community School. You can often find Jean biking around Cleveland and cheering on the Guardians with her husband, as well as their two grown daughters when they are visiting from Boston.
jean@urbansquashcleveland.org
(216)912-9690
Joseph is thrilled to return home to Northeast Ohio and work directly with the USC community and families, promoting academic and athletic excellence and overall well-being in its student athletes and alumni. A two-time graduate of the University of Akron, Joseph earned both a Bachelor of Science & Education in Sports Studies and a Master of Public Administration. He was also a college athlete for the Zips, competing as a sprinter for the Track and Field team.<br />
Most recently, Joseph was the Director of Programs at the Cincinnati Squash Academy which, like USC, is an affiliate member of the Squash and Education Alliance (SEA). Prior to CSA, Joseph was the Director of the Broadway Club, the largest standalone club of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, with responsibility for all operations, staff, and programs at the Club. In addition, Joseph knows USC. Since 2022, he has served USC as a Trustee and member of both the Youth Programming, and Governance Committees.
joseph@urbansquashcleveland.org
(216) 912-9690
Erica Moorer is joining the Urban Squash Cleveland team as a Cleveland native with a passion for youth and community development. She has spent the majority of her career working towards creating intentional spaces for young people to thrive.<br />
After graduating from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science in Human and Consumer Sciences, Erica began to pursue her passion of helping her community establish and maintain healthy relationships with food. She has managed many different sectors of the food and beverage industry while simultaneously working towards non-profit development and community education around access to quality food and nutrition education. After 15 years of working in high-volume food service, Erica decided to pivot and work full-time in youth and community development.<br />
Erica also works as a Culinary Instructor for The Cutting Board Academy, a Cleveland-based non-profit that is dedicated to educating families and communities on the importance of healthy eating through Food Literacy and Nutrition Education. Erica is joining the team as former Dean of Students and alumna of The Aspire Program, a summer enrichment and leadership program for motivated and high-achieving girls who are limited in opportunity because of low family income and lack of exposure to higher education.<br />
In 2019, Erica created The Edible Art Experience, an edible art and crafting company, to combine her love of crafting and baking with community and conversation. Her goal is to spread her love of edible art with her community, creating intentional spaces for intergenerational fellowship. Erica currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband and her dog.
erica@urbansquashcleveland.org
(216) 912-9690
Will Hopton comes to USC from Squash on Fire in Washington, DC, where he has been Executive Director for five years. Squash On Fire has experienced remarkable growth under Will's leadership, and its innovative programming has been a trailblazer for community squash nationwide. Prior to Squash On Fire, Will was at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, MD where he had a number of roles including running Community Outreach that provides tennis and academic enrichment opportunities for youths.</p>
<p>Will is from London, England, and before his time in DC, he spent 3.5 years in Chicago. He coached squash and rackets at the Racquet Club of Chicago, and he reached the summit of the rackets world rankings in 2014, in addition to winning the doubles World Championship in 2013.</p>
<p>In addition, Will's wife, Ineta, will also be joining the Cleveland squash community in November as she assumes the post of Director of Squash at the Cleveland Skating Club. Ineta is a World Squash Federation qualified coach, nine-time Latvian national champion, and has reached a career high of world #42 in the PSA rankings. The plan is for her to also be involved in USC and Cleveland Community Squash programming, so stay tuned for more exciting updates connected to Will and Ineta soon!
will@urbansquashcleveland.org
(216) 912-9690
A Cleveland native, Liam O'Toole is happy to be a part of such an exciting organization in his hometown. After graduating from University School, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Classics from the College of the Holy Cross. Upon graduation, Liam served two years with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps working with youth development organizations. He comes to USC with previous SEA experience, having spent a year at Racquet Up Detroit as their Program Specialist. He is eager to build off his previous experiences in youth development and get reacquainted with Cleveland. A long-suffering Cleveland sports fan, Liam finds joy outside of the office in running, reading, playing squash and ping pong, and doing crossword puzzles.
liam@urbansquashcleveland.org
(216) 912-9690