Remember the name Courtenay Green. Someday you might want her autograph.
While the senior captain of the women's squash team might not continue playing the sport after she graduates from Princeton this fall, she could make it big as a musician.
Courtenay has two loves here at Princeton, playing squash and playing the drums. She plays in the band Pipe Dream, which she co-founded last year. She has been playing music for as long as she can remember.
"Growing up, there were always instruments around the house," Green said.
Music has been a huge part of her life, yet she was not able to do much about this until she arrived at Princeton. In high school, Green played in various bands, but none that were as complete as the one she has put together her last year here.
Like music, squash was something Green got into by default at the age of 12 that ended up having a major impact on her life.
"I was horrible at basketball because I was not tall enough," Green said. "It [squash] had an interesting name so I tried it."
She loved the quick, scrappy nature of the sport, and she quickly developed a love for it.
She began to play squash competitvely in high school at Phillips Andover. She improved every year she played, and when she arrived at Princeton over three years ago she quickly joined the squash team.
Last year, with the help of junior Mac Muirhead and junior John Barnes, Courtenay formed a band that would make up a large part of her Princeton career. She plays the drums in the group, which is an impressive feat since she never received formal instruction on the instrument. Green has learned to play the instrument on her own.
Many of the band's gigs have been at eating clubs and local bars. Once squash season ends, the fourperson group will begin to travel to other colleges and expand their base.
Up until now the group has played all popular music, but every member of the band has written original songs.
"We have discussed putting in some of our own stuff, but we decided that it would be better if we just played cover songs," Green said.
Since Courtenay decided to try and pursue her music, she has begun to make a demo of many of the songs that she has written. Since she cannot play all of the instruments on her own, she has received help from the other members of her band in making the recording.
"I have written about two albums worth of songs so far, but so far have not been able to perform them," Green said.
This is something that Courtenay has wanted to do for a long time. She also has an interest in making movies, and she spent the past summer shooting films.
Courtenay has been very busy this year, balancing her music and being captain of the squash team.
"I am busy, but I love them both. I have a nice balance in my life," Green said.
Green is playing No. 6 on the team, which is undefeated so far this season.
"We have been doing really well this year," Green said. "We get along great on and off the court. We have really bonded as a team."
Playing squash has provided Courtenay with many great memories, but the two that stick out in her mind the most are winning the Howe Cup for the National Championship her freshman year and making it to the finals the next year.
"Freshman year was great, just winning the title even though I did not play," Green said.
In the finals the next year, Green was an active member of her team, and won her match against Penn.
"It was great to know that I made a contribution to the team, and gave us a chance to win," Green said.
This year, Green is helping to anchor the team and has served as a leader for the many younger players.
While Courtenay has not finalized any plans for next year, she does not anticipate being able to continue playing with Pipe Dream.
"After I graduate, I want to start playing at some different gigs and sending my demo to some people in the music business," Green said.
While Courtenay might not continue playing at Princeton next season, she will not forget her years at Old Nassau.
"I have had a great experience here," Green said. "I found the perfect balance between the squash team which I love and banging on the drums."
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