History
Beyond Walls was founded in 2011 under the umbrella organization SEA (Squash + Education Alliance) and has been partnering with young people in the Twin Cities, instilling a passion in learning and growing through academics, health and wellness, and civic leadership.
Modeled after similar urban squash programs, Beyond Walls has a vast network of connections to other programs, directors, and experienced leaders in the urban squash field. The first of these programs, SquashBusters, in Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 1995. After the introduction of 3 similar urban squash programs, SEA was founded with the mission of creating a framework and structure with which these programs could work together to model best practices and methods while creating a web of unity and community among the programs striving for the same goals: to enrich the lives of young people through academics, sport, and service.
Our Partners
Beyond Walls launched in 2011 in partnership with the University of Minnesota. Beyond Walls students attend programming at the University Recreation & Wellness Center, located right in the center of campus. Our unique location means that, from a young age, students can begin to imagine themselves attending university or pursuing higher education.
We work with college tutors and mentors, many of whom are University of Minnesota students, who often work 1-on-1 with our students to aide them in homework help, studying, and career/college preparation.
Beyond Walls is also partnered with the Squash and Education Alliance (SEA). SEA member programs enjoy numerous benefits, including access to SEA’s metric-evaluation systems, scholarship funding, travel subsidies, staff retreats, tournaments, camps and training squads, and reduced tournament and membership fees through US Squash.
Member Programs: 22
International Partners: 7
Year-Round Team Members: 3,200+
Combined Annual Budgets: $38m