“You can’t really know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been,” a famous quote by the beloved Maya Angelou, reminds us of the power of understanding our past. To shape a meaningful future, we must first learn from our history and the experiences that have defined us.
Francisco Echeverria strongly believes in this sentiment. As a student at the University of Maryland, he is pursuing a career as a high school history teacher, hoping to inspire young minds to appreciate the lessons of the past. He wants his students to see history not as a collection of dates and names, but as a story that shapes who we are and who we can become.
But if there’s one thing Francisco loves almost as much as history, it’s croquet. Whether he’s studying historical events or carefully lining up a shot on the lawn, he approaches both with focus, strategy, and passion.
Francisco, tell us about where you’re from and what it was like growing up there.
I was born in Santiago, Chile, and moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, when I was two
years old. Growing up just outside of Washington, D.C., in the "DMV" area (DC,
Maryland, Virginia), politics and history were deeply infused into the local culture. One
of the most rewarding aspects of playing croquet has been the opportunity to meet
people with incredibly diverse and interesting careers shaped by this unique region.
Q: What are some of your favorite memories from your childhood?
In elementary school, I played for a travel soccer team coached by a lawyer who
worked in the West Wing of the White House. For a team-bonding trip, he gave us a
private tour where we saw the Oval Office and the Press Briefing Room. The highlights,
however, were definitely bowling in the basement’s private alley and eating a lunch
prepared by the White House chefs. Having those kinds of experiences is easily one of
the coolest parts of growing up in this area.
Q: What’s the passion or work that really lights you up, and how did you find it?
I am currently studying at the University of Maryland to become a high school history
teacher. Growing up surrounded by the history and politics of the capital influenced me
deeply, and I’m driven by the desire to pass that cultural appreciation and knowledge on
to the next generation.
Q: Can you share the story of how Croquet first came into your life?
Croquet was introduced to me by my best friend. He grew up playing in his
grandmother’s backyard in Wisconsin, and in the summer of 2018, he brought a set
back to Maryland and taught me how to play.
Q; When did Croquet shift from being something you played to something you truly
loved?
The shift happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a few days of lockdown
boredom, a group of eight friends and I started playing croquet as a way to socialize
outdoors. We quickly became hyper-competitive, playing multiple times a day, and
eventually formed the Cunningham Farms Croquet Club.
As we grew more serious, we looked for other croquet opportunities. We traveled to the
National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, where we learned 6-wicket rules
from Johnny Mitchell. That experience hooked us, leading us to find our current “home
club” at the Croquet Club of Annapolis.
Q: If you could pass on one message or gift to the next generation of Croquet
players, what would it be?
Since I’m still part of the "younger" generation in this sport, my biggest hope is to see
croquet showcased on a world stage like the Olympics. My message to the players
coming up after me is to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Croquet has
the potential for mainstream popularity, but it requires the energy and ambition of the
youth to take it to that next level.
You can keep up with Francisco by following him and his club on Instagram @cunninghamfarmscc.
