MARTIN, Tenn. – Because of the ongoing economic crisis, The University of Tennessee at Martin will make a strategic reduction in spending by suspending the men’s tennis program indefinitely. The team will be eliminated at the end of this season in April.
“Primarily due to the high cost of out-of-state scholarships and the relatively small roster size, we have decided to suspend our men’s tennis program indefinitely,” said Phil Dane, the director of intercollegiate athletics. “We would have preferred to maintain the program at a reduced scholarship level, but we could not compete respectably in our conference unless other OVC members did likewise. We sought that cooperation, but could not get support from a majority of the members.”
The athletics director said the university’s decision to suspend men’s tennis was twofold. “As we considered which sport to suspend we could not consider a women’s sport due to Title IX gender equity requirements. Since our only option was a men’s sport, we identified the sport that saved the greatest amount of money, affected the least number of student-athletes, and respected the interests of the greatest number of our stakeholders,” Dane said.
Dennis Taylor has coached the UT Martin men’s tennis team since 1988. He has compiled a 207-216 won-loss record. Since competing at the Division I level as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the UT Martin tennis team has played in 14 of 16 OVC Championship Tournaments. The Skyhawks’ best finishes were in 1996 and in 2001 when they finished second both times.
“While we deeply regret this decision, this is the best time to make the decision because the current team has three senior members who will be able to complete their tennis eligibility at UT Martin,” Dane said. “The remaining members will be retained at their current scholarship level until they graduate from UT Martin or transfer to another institution.”
The men’s tennis team has a 5-10 record and will play its last match this season at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 11, against Jacksonville State at the Skyhawk Tennis Complex.
Dane said a portion of the savings from eliminating men’s tennis will be reallocated to the women’s tennis program.
“Like many institutions and companies across our country, we are forced to make tough decisions due to the economic circumstances we are facing,” Dane said.
“Primarily due to the high cost of out-of-state scholarships and the relatively small roster size, we have decided to suspend our men’s tennis program indefinitely,” said Phil Dane, the director of intercollegiate athletics. “We would have preferred to maintain the program at a reduced scholarship level, but we could not compete respectably in our conference unless other OVC members did likewise. We sought that cooperation, but could not get support from a majority of the members.”
The athletics director said the university’s decision to suspend men’s tennis was twofold. “As we considered which sport to suspend we could not consider a women’s sport due to Title IX gender equity requirements. Since our only option was a men’s sport, we identified the sport that saved the greatest amount of money, affected the least number of student-athletes, and respected the interests of the greatest number of our stakeholders,” Dane said.
Dennis Taylor has coached the UT Martin men’s tennis team since 1988. He has compiled a 207-216 won-loss record. Since competing at the Division I level as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the UT Martin tennis team has played in 14 of 16 OVC Championship Tournaments. The Skyhawks’ best finishes were in 1996 and in 2001 when they finished second both times.
“While we deeply regret this decision, this is the best time to make the decision because the current team has three senior members who will be able to complete their tennis eligibility at UT Martin,” Dane said. “The remaining members will be retained at their current scholarship level until they graduate from UT Martin or transfer to another institution.”
The men’s tennis team has a 5-10 record and will play its last match this season at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 11, against Jacksonville State at the Skyhawk Tennis Complex.
Dane said a portion of the savings from eliminating men’s tennis will be reallocated to the women’s tennis program.
“Like many institutions and companies across our country, we are forced to make tough decisions due to the economic circumstances we are facing,” Dane said.
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