TENNIS TEAM DISCONTINUED FOLLOWING 2012-13 SEASON

Following careful consideration, Emmanuel College has discontinued its varsity Women's Tennis Program. This decision was based significantly on the Athletics Department's evaluation of the College's ability to provide a quality tennis experience for both current and future students given a lack of facilities for practice and competition.
 
"Emmanuel's women's tennis team has enjoyed tremendous success and its players have represented the College in a high-caliber manner over the years, making this a very difficult decision," said Director of Athletics Pam Roecker. "Student-athlete welfare is a priority for the College and based on our practice and competition venue challenges moving forward, we are not confident that we can provide a quality experience."
 
For the last several years, the courts at the Winsor School, across the street from the Emmanuel campus, have been the home venue for the Saints tennis team. These courts are being taken offline as the Winsor School prepares for a new structure on its campus, with no plans for rebuilding courts onsite. The College explored other venues, but none proved to be viable options in terms of a quality experience.
 
"The daily need to transport our student-athletes to each practice and competition facility, the challenge of gaining firm commitments regarding court time from alternate venues, our focus on student-athletes academic standing as related to missing class, and the disappointing experience another varsity program had when required to commute daily were all significant factors in this decision," said Roecker.
 
The 12 returning players to the women's tennis team, as well as the coaching staff, as well as prospective students, were notified prior to the announcement.
 
For 13 seasons, the women's tennis team at Emmanuel has been led by Head Coach Rob Miller. During his time at the College, the team has collected more than 100 wins, and won GNAC championships in 1996 and 1997.
 
"I would like to thank Coach Miller for his exceptional leadership and commitment to the Emmanuel College tennis program," said Roecker.