It was an exciting day on campus, as we celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking on the Manuel and Carol Loupassi Racquet Center yesterday. Headmaster Mason Lecky and Board Chair Tim McCoy Jr.  ‘87 welcomed attendees. They thanked our donors, especially the Loupassi family, for their support and leadership in the development of the new facility. 

“St. Christopher’s is blessed with first-rate athletic facilities for its sports teams,” said Lecky in his remarks. “I am so excited that we will soon count our squash program as one of those programs with the gift and opportunity to train and compete right here on our campus.”

The 11,000-square-foot space, slated to open in late 2026, will feature seven single squash courts, coaches' offices, bathrooms, a conference room, a student lounge, locker rooms, storage for squash/tennis equipment, a concessions area, and a pro shop. Over 200 Middle and Upper School student-athletes at St. Christopher’s and St. Catherine’s School participate in our racquet sports programs, and this new center will provide a state-of-the-art space for them to hone their skills, as well as introduce our Lower School boys to squash as a new physical education activity.

Manoli Loupassi ‘85, whose children played squash and tennis at StC and St. Catherine’s, is delighted that his family's leadership support can help make the facility a reality for our Saints student-athletes. “I think the great thing about the sport of squash is that you don't have to be 6'5" and weigh 220 pounds. If you're willing to practice and hit the ball, and if you're willing to really put in the time, you can become an excellent squash player,” Mr. Loupassi said in an interview with StC. 

Mr. Loupassi honors the memory and the spirit of his father, restaurateur and philanthropist Manuel Loupassi, a Richmond success story for whom the facility is named. Mr. Loupassi remembers his father as a man dedicated to helping others reach their goals. “When I first came to St. Christopher’s, I was from a bit of a different background, but my dad knew that the school would provide the kind of opportunities that would help me develop into a future leader,” Mr. Loupassi said.

Inspired by the spirit of Manuel Loupassi, StC hopes that future generations of Saints student-athletes will use this space to forge lifelong friendships, achieve new athletic heights, and learn resilience, discipline, confidence and teamwork.