RUD ANNOUNCEMENT

Detroit, Mich., March 27, 2025 - After nearly 11 years in various leadership roles within the organization, Rosemary O’Connor has been named Executive Director of Racquet Up Detroit. Ms. O’Connor has most recently served as Chief Programs Officer of the groundbreaking youth development program, and will eventually assume the full leadership role succeeding current President & CEO, Derek Aguirre.

Ms. O’Connor has grown with the organization, taking her first job as a squash coach after graduating from Wellesley College, and serving in nearly every other role since then, culminating in her appointment as Executive Director. Mr. Aguirre says of her, “Rosemary is a proven leader who has a very rare combination of skills, experience, and most importantly -- values -- which uniquely qualify her to lead Racquet Up Detroit into the future.”

Mr. Aguirre has led the organization since its founding in 2010, bringing this nationally successful youth program model to Detroit. The uncommon racquet sport of squash is the “hook,” but educational attainment and personal development are the true purposes. Forty youth piloted the program in the first two years, proving that the sport was engaging for kids and that targeted academic support impacted school performance. Now, over a dozen years later, 160 youth exercise and study each week in Racquet Up Detroit’s newly constructed 19,000 square foot facility located on Outer Drive, and nearly 50 graduates benefit from post-secondary and early career support. The program has impacted hundreds of Detroit youth over the last 15 years.

Mr. Aguirre will remain in the role of President & CEO through an extended transition period, focusing on supporting Ms. O’Connor’s elevation, completing a 5-year strategic plan for the organization, and building a long-term endowment.