Colorado Athletics Finalizes Decision To Eliminate Men's Tennis Program

BOULDER ? University of Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn announced Wednesday that the decision to eliminate the men’s tennis program is now final, effective at the conclusion of the NCAA Championships later this month.

The original decision was announced on March 23, though a deadline of May 13 was offered to the tennis community to raise the $1 million necessary to fund expenses over the next three years, in order to maintain viability of the program.

Supporters of the program pledged $594,608.55 as of May 13, or approximately 60 percent of what was needed to continue forward with the team. Those pledges came from 273 donors in a variety of forms, 40 of which were cash totaling $947.55. Of the $594,608.55 pledged, the program had received $110,883.55 of that money as of Wednesday morning, leaving a balance of $483,725 in the form of pledges.

“I want to express our gratitude to all the volunteers associated with the fundraising effort and express how much we appreciate their passion and concern for our student-athletes, coaches and the institution as a whole,” Bohn said. “Although the amount pledged was significant, it still is not sufficient to properly fund the program for the next three years. We don’t make all our decisions based on fiscal reasons, but in this case, the financial considerations are the sole reason for elimination. We aspire for our programs to represent the high standards that reflect the University of Colorado both academically and athletically.”

Money collected intended for the reinstatement of the program will be returned unprocessed to the donors, and any pledge commitments will be nullified.

“At this point, our focus turns to our student-athletes to ensure that they have what they need to continue their studies and their collegiate tennis careers,” said Bohn. “We do recognize their contributions to this university and thank them for representing CU in such fine fashion during a very tough time for them personally.”

The men’s tennis budget for the 2005-06 fiscal year was $324,975, not including additional costs absorbed by other budgets (sports medicine, academics, equipment, sports information, etc.) that bring the total closer to $350,000. All scholarships for those tennis players who choose to remain at CU in lieu of transferring to another institution will be honored through their eligibility.

CU’s spring season in 2006 was one of its best in recent history. CU reached the highest national ranking in the school’s history (No. 23), its first 20-win season since 1997, and its first NCAA Tournament berth in eight years. The team advanced to the NCAA Tournament defeating Arizona in the opening round, then falling to the defending 2005 champion UCLA Bruins in the round of 32.

Head Coach Sam Winterbotham was recently named the Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Mountain Region Coach of the Year and co-Big 12 Coach of the Year. The Buffs advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the first time since 1997 and were seeded No. 3, their highest in nine years.

Later this month, Winterbotham and junior Eric Molnar, ranked No. 51^st in the nation, travel to the NCAA Singles Tournament, May 24-29 at Stanford University. Molnar is the first CU men’s player to participate since Marc Bauer advanced to the national tournament in 1996.

The men’s tennis team has been associated with the Boulder campus since 1914. Although the history from 1914-48 is not documented in CU history books, the Buffaloes have been associated with the NCAA Tournament since the late 1940s, in addition to conference tournaments stemming from the Big Seven, Big Eight and the Big 12. The men have enjoyed 14 singles and 10 doubles conference champions over the years.