(Story Courtesy of University of Dallas Sports Information Department)
Irving, Texas -- The University of Dallas announced plans to launch a men’s and women’s tennis program in the fall of 2022 as part of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division III level.
“We are excited about offering tennis to our current and incoming students to compete in tennis at the collegiate level,” said Executive Vice President John Plotts, Ed.D., who oversees the university’s athletics programs. He added that recruiting a head coach for both the men’s and women’s teams will begin immediately with the goal of starting the program in August, the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year. The university is also evaluating nearby off-campus tennis facilities that can host the program.
UD Athletics Director Jarred Samples, BA ’01, said he believes the program will appeal to both new and incoming students, noting that the program had enjoyed a long life at the university from 1974-2005.
“It’s still a popular sport and one that I believe will attract student-athletes seeking to play at the collegiate level and pursue the rigorous liberal arts education UD provides,” said Samples.
The University of Dallas maintains 13 men’s and women’s NCAA Division III level teams in basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, cross country, golf, track and field, and women’s volleyball as part of the SCAC.