Anonymous Gift Funds New Tennis Courts
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Thanks to a donor who wishes to remain
anonymous, the tennis courts at Mitchell College are getting a much
needed make-over. The four courts, currently under renovation, are
located on Montauk Avenue in the Mitchell Woods Recreational area
just across the street from the College's main entrance.
The new courts, scheduled to be completed by August 30, will be
used for the College's competing NCAA Division III men's and
women's tennis programs. In addition, the College will use the
courts for youth programming through a new partnership with the
United States Tennis Association (USTA). The courts will also be
available to the public when not being used by the College.
"Mitchell College tennis teams have had a rich tradition of success
in college tennis as a member of the NJCAA – with many
nationally ranked teams and All Americans," said Mo White, director
of athletics. "As a new member of the NCAA Division III and the
NECC – Mitchell Tennis is once again flourishing."
The men's team has posted two undefeated back to back seasons and
captured the NECC Men's Tennis Championships in 2009 and
2010. The new courts will allow both the men's and women's
teams to move back on campus and continue to rebuild a competitive
tennis program.
Mitchell Athletics and the tennis teams are looking to partner with
the USTA New England office to bring youth tennis programming to
New London youth and schools through the USTA Quick Start Tennis
program (http://consumers.quickstarttennis.com).
QuickStart Tennis is an exciting new play format for learning
tennis, designed to bring kids into the game by utilizing
specialized equipment, shorter court dimensions and modified
scoring, all tailored to age and size. It is divided into two
different levels-- ages 8 and under and ages 10 and under.
"It's the fast, fun way to get kids into tennis-- and keep them
playing," according to officials at USTA.
"The Mitchell Woods tennis courts were once a thriving part of the
New London County tennis community and it is our hope that these
beautiful new courts will once again provide tennis opportunities
to Mitchell College and the New London community at large," said
College President Mary Ellen Jukoski.
