Jacques Swanepoel enters his third season as The Columbia Squash Alumni and Friends Head Coach of Squash.  He was named the first-ever head coach of squash for the Lions in September 2009, before the men and women's squash programs began varsity competition in Fall 2010.

In only their second year as a varsity program, the Columbia men's squash team put together a strong season and continued to earn national respect with a top 10 national finish. Led by Swanepoel, the Lions are making monumental strides. From getting the program's first Ivy League win over Brown, to a runner-up finish in the Hoehn Cup of the 2012 CSA National Championships, Columbia continues to lay a solid foundation for a strong squash program.

For the second consecutive season, the Men's College Squash Association has awarded Columbia the Barnaby Award for their performance in the 2011-12 season. The Barnaby Award is given annually to the men's team showing the most improvement from the previous season in the sport.

First-year standout Ramit Tandon was selected as Ivy League Co-Rookie of The Year and gained a spot on the All-Ivy League first team, the first postseason honor in program history. Tandon posted a 15-1 record this season earning a No.2 national ranking following a runner-up finish in the 2012 CSA National Championships. The All-American's only loss of the season came in the exciting championship match with co-Rookie of the Year Ali Farag.

In Swanepoel's first year at the helm of the men's varsity team, Columbia quickly began to make a name for itself. The team finished 13-6 overall in 2010-11 and capped the season by winning the consolation bracket of the Summers Cup (C Division) to finish the year ranked No. 21 overall.  The Lions were presented with the Barnaby Award at the National Championship as the most improved team in college squash.  Individually, two Columbia players qualified for the Men's Individual National Championship.

A former member of the South African National Squash Team, Swanepoel was a two-time All-American at Trinity, and helped lead the Bantams to four consecutive national championships. Swanepoel served as a captain at Trinity as a senior, and was named the team's Most Improved Player in back-to-back seasons (2005-06). Prior to his time at Trinity, Swanepoel was the No. 2 ranked junior player in South Africa, and participated on the country's U-19 national team.

Swanepoel has worked as a coach at the high school and club levels, and is very involved in the national and international squash community.

Prior to arriving in Morningside Heights, he served as the primary coach for all club camps and clinics at the Fairmount Athletic Club in King of Prussia, Pa. There, he was the personal coach for numerous nationally-ranked players, and helped develop and organize academic programs.

Swanepoel earned a bachelor's degree from Trinity College in environmental science in 2007.