MTU Tennis Programs Win Reprieve; Will Not Be Cut
Tompkins, Yeo Come to Joint Agreement; Senate Advice Heeded
Houghton, Mich. -- Michigan
Tech's men's and women's tennis programs have a new lease on life.
President Curt Tompkins and
Athletic Director Rick Yeo today jointly announced a plan in which Tompkins
has agreed to provide full funding for the 2002-2003 fiscal year and 50
percent funding for the 2003-2004 fiscal year to help the team and its
supporters launch a fund-raising effort to become self-supporting.
"I am personally grateful
to President Tompkins and I know the coaching staff and all the players
and their supporters are happy to hear that Tech's tennis programs will
not be coming to an end in May," Yeo commented. He said the challenge
now is to begin work on an endowment that will provide funding for the
men's and women's programs long into the future.
"I'm really happy that
the tennis programs will continue," said Head Coach Mike Axford.
"We'll work hard to see that the programs get to the point where
they are self-supporting."
"I'd like to thank all
those responsible for helping save the tennis programs," said Laura
Matzka, a junior member of the MTU women's tennis team. "Both the
women's and men's teams are really excited that something has been worked
out."
Tompkins said that non-general
fund dollars will be used to assist the tennis programs.
The elimination of the tennis
programs was one element of the athletic department's plan to reduce its
general fund budget by 10 percent in response to the University's significant
reduction in funding levels from the State of Michigan.
"We are taking the advice
of the University Senate to continue support for tennis," Tompkins
said. "I hope alumni and tennis supporters will respond to ensure
the long term viability of the teams. The University will do everything
possible to assist them in their efforts."
11/28/01
