Senior Yash Fadte of the University of Rochester squash team was bestowed with the College Squash Association (CSA) Skillman Award at a reception ceremony that took place at the CSA National Championships on Friday evening in Philadelphia.
 
The Skillman Award is the top honor in men's college squash, given each year to a senior student-athlete who has displayed outstanding sportsmanship and skill throughout their college career.
 
These individuals are evaluated on their on-court poise and demeanor, skill level and ability in the game of squash, team play, contributions to intercollegiate squash, leadership, and cooperation with players, coaches, and tournament officials.
 
Fadte becomes the fourth individual from Rochester to receive the Skillman Award, etching his name along side previous winners, Benjamin Fischer '12, Ryosei Kobayashi '17 and Ricardo Lopez '19, all of whom are some of the top players in program history.
 
UR's four all-time Skillman winners puts the Yellowjackets in elite company when it comes to winning the award, being just the fourth program all-time to have that many recipients. Only Harvard University (8), Princeton University (8) and Yale University (4) have as many Skillman recipients since the award debuted in 1983.
 
Fadte was one of three finalists for the Skillman Award, being joined by Nathan Kueh of the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Rosini of Princeton University, both of whom are competing this weekend in the CSA Potter Cup Tournament for the Collegiate National Championship.
 
"Yash is the kind of player who will do anything for his teammates," says his coach Matt Dukarm. "His lighthearted nature and love for the game make him a beloved figure in our program, and coaching him has been an absolute privilege. His presence and impact will be felt for years to come."
 
In 2024-25, the Vasco Da Gama, India native finished with a 12-7 overall record and was Rochester's number one player on the ladder all season long. He competed in the top bracket at the CSA Individual Championships in January and ends his career with a 52-23 record, cracking the top-10 in all-time wins in program history.
 
Fadte is a 3-time First Team All-Liberty League selection, was a 2023 CSA Second Team All-American and Liberty League Player of the Year.