When most freshmen enter Johnston gate to begin their four years at Harvard, they tend to be mesmerized by the University and its surroundings.

But for Harvard squash player Darius Pandole, getting used to Harvard was just part of it. Not only did the Leverett House senior have to adjust to Harvard, he had to adjust to America.

"It was a big challenge socially and emotionally," said Pandole, a native of India. "I had to adjust to a different way of life. It was a culture shock. During my freshman year I kept asking myself if I made the right decision."

Luckily for the squash team, he decided to stick it out at Harvard.

The senior has helped the Crimson expand its six-year winning streak to 68 games, and has lead Harvard to three straight undefeated seasons, three NISRA championships, three national nine-man championships, three Ivy League titles and one five-man championship.

"In retrospect, I'm very happy that I came to Harvard," Pandole said. "It's been the greatest experience of my life. Being a part of the squash team has been one of my most enjoyable experiences at Harvard."

"He's a great player," teammate Jim Masland said. "He's the master. He's the wizard. He's Merlin without a beard."

Pandole grew up in India and attended the Cathedral School in Bombay. He also won three All-India Junior Championships.

Pandole learned squash when he was 10 years old. His grandfather and father taught him how to play.

His greatest individual honor was being named a NISRA All-American, along with Co-Captain Russ Ball. Pandole finished last season with a 5-2 individual record against some of the best players in the nation. Another adjustment for the economics major was getting accustomed to the way squash is played in North America. Pandole had to switch over from a softball to a hardball and play on different size courts.

Board

"Initially it was really tough," the senior said. "I experienced a lot of disappointments on the way. But eventually things worked out."

One of his greatest team achievements was rallying the Crimson from a 2-0 deficit in both the semifinal round against Yale and in the final round against two-time defending champion Mexico in the USSRA five-man championship.

"It was sort of unexpected so it made it all the better," Pandole said. "It was the high point of the season."

"He is arguably the best amateur in the world," said John Musto, Yale's number one player.

"I think he's a very understated personality," Crimson Co-Captain Jack Polsky said. "He's very efficient on the court. He epitomizes gentlemen's squash."

This February, Pandole played Franklin and Marshall's Yogesh Panchal, a friend from India, for the first time in four years. After their match, what did Panchal say to his long-time friend? Panchal told Pandole that he was going to steal his sweats.

Did Pandole believe him? "I hid them," he said, joking.

Pandole will turn pro after the six-man championship in early March and will try to qualify for some pro tournaments--after he finishes his thesis.

"I will play for only a couple of years at most, then I will go to business school and get a real job some day," Pandole said.

He has two goals left for his team: to beat Yale tomorrow and to win the six-man championship in early March.