The Liberty League is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the 2019-2020 academic year. Originally founded as the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) in 1995, the conference was renamed the Liberty League during the summer of 2004. Each Thursday throughout the year, the Liberty League will be celebrating its silver anniversary by recognizing outstanding teams and individuals from its rich 25-year history.
With the Liberty League squash championships set for Feb. 8-9, the Liberty League looks back at the top men’s squash player in its 25-year history – St. Lawrence University standout Amr Khalifa.
The only individual ever selected as a four-time Liberty League Player of the Year, Khalifa compiled a career record of 46-5 while earning All-America honors three times.
A native of Cairo, Egypt, Khalifa made an immediate impact on the St. Lawrence program as he assumed the top position in the Saints lineup as a first-year player in 2012. He went 15-0 in his first collegiate season and became the first player in St. Lawrence history to win the College Squash Association (CSA) individual national championship. En route to the men's title, Khalifa came back from a two-game deficit in the semifinals to upset the defending champion Ali Farag of Harvard, who lost only two matches in his entire collegiate career. Khalifa then swept top-seeded Todd Harrity of Princeton in the final to win the crown. He was selected as both Liberty League Player and Rookie of the Year.
As a sophomore in 2013-14, Khalifa led St. Lawrence to its first of five consecutive Liberty League titles. Selected as the Liberty League Player of the Year for the second straight season, Khalifa battled some injuries during the season, which limited his participation to 12 matches. Nevertheless, he went 10-2 and finished as runner-up at CSA Nationals. Both of his losses were to Farag, one in a dual at Harvard and the other in the CSA Individual championship match. He was 6-1 at the number-one position and went 4-1 in the CSA tournament, earning All-America honors for the second straight year.
Limited by injury in his junior season, Khalifa was selected as Liberty League Player of the Year for the third straight season after leading the Saints to a second straight title. He went 7-2 with both of his losses coming by injury default. He was unable to play in the CSA Individual nationals which precluded a third straight All America selection.
As a senior in 2015-16, Khalifa was selected as the recipient of the prestigious Skillman Award, presented to the top senior in collegiate squash. He was the second seed in CSA Individual nationals and earned All-America honors for the third time. Khalifa went 14-1 for the season, helping the Saints to a third straight Liberty League championship. St. Lawrence also knocked off top-ranked Trinity to climb to as high as third in the CSA national poll. At the CSA Team Championship, the Saints finished fourth in the nation – their third straight top-five finish in Potter Cup competition.
25th Anniversary Spotlight Series:
10/24/2019 - 1999 St. Lawrence University Men's Soccer
10/31/2019 - Sara Artus, Clarkson University, Volleyball (2008-2011)
11/7/2019 - Ali Marpet, Hobart College, Football (2011-2015)
11/14/2019 - 1997 William Smith College Field Hockey
11/21/2019 - Grant O'Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cross Country/Track & Field (2015-2019)
11/28/2019 - Andrew Franks, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Football (2011-2015)
12/5/2019 - 2013 William Smith College Women's Soccer
12/12/2019 - John Coleman, Clarkson University, Basketball and Baseball (2011-2015)
12/19/2019 - Nickie Griesemer, Ithaca College, Swimming & Diving (2013-2018)
1/2/2020 - Kelly Donnelly, Skidmore College, Women's Basketball (2014-2018)
1/9/2020 - Richie Bonney, Hobart College, Men's Basketball (2010-2014)
1/16/2020 - Taryn Cordani, Ithaca College, Cross Country/Track & Field (2014-2018)