USC Upstate announces changes to intercollegiate tennis program
2/11/2020 4:02:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, General
Spartanburg, S.C. – The University of South Carolina Upstate announced today that the intercollegiate men's and women's tennis programs will be discontinued at the conclusion of the 2020 spring campaign. The decision follows a thorough review of the Athletics department, trends in intercollegiate athletics, facility needs, operational and scholarship costs required to compete for Big South championships, and overall budgetary challenges.
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"Unfortunately, given the rising costs of intercollegiate athletics and our finite resources, this is the best decision for USC Upstate at this time," said Daniel Feig, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. "By discontinuing our men's and women's tennis teams, we are rightsizing our department and focusing our resources for future success across our department."
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"As a university, it's critical that we optimize our success and shape the institution and resources around areas in which we can have the most impact," added Chancellor Brendan B. Kelly. "This decision reflects our commitment to engage in regular organizational assessments to better align the institution with our strategic priorities."
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Thirteen student-athletes will be impacted by this decision and USC Upstate will provide holistic support and assistance as they consider their future academic, athletic and personal pursuits. Athletic scholarships will be honored through graduation, provided all academic requirements are met and they remain in good standing. NCAA rules provide for the immediate eligibility for student-athletes who wish to transfer, and USC Upstate will provide assistance should they choose to transition to another institution.
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"I want to personally thank all of our current and former men's and women's tennis coaches, student-athletes and their families for their service to USC Upstate," Feig said. "More specifically, I want to thank head coach Tim McLane and assistant coach Michael Graham for their hard work, and I am particularly proud of our current student-athletes for their dedication in the classroom and on the tennis court since my arrival on campus. I share in their disappointment."
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The discontinuation of sports programs has become a nationwide trend recently. Given the escalating costs of supporting a collegiate athletic program, many schools face similar challenges. More than 15 NCAA Division I universities across the country have discontinued tennis during the last five years.
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Looking ahead to the 2020-21 academic year, USC Upstate will field 15 intercollegiate sports programs. The decision to discontinue tennis does not affect the university's membership in the Big South Conference, as the Spartans will continue to field the required number of programs for conference affiliation.
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About USC Upstate
The University of South Carolina Upstate is a regional comprehensive university offering more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business administration, nursing, and education. Located along the I-85 corridor in Spartanburg between Greenville and Charlotte, USC Upstate is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 1 among Top Public Schools. It serves as a major talent producer for the region, with more than 6,000 students, approximately 1,300 new graduates a year, and nearly 30,000 alumni, many of whom live and work in the state. The USC Upstate Spartans compete in 17 NCAA Division 1 sports as a member of the Big South Conference. For more information, visit www.uscupstate.edu.
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"Unfortunately, given the rising costs of intercollegiate athletics and our finite resources, this is the best decision for USC Upstate at this time," said Daniel Feig, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. "By discontinuing our men's and women's tennis teams, we are rightsizing our department and focusing our resources for future success across our department."
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"As a university, it's critical that we optimize our success and shape the institution and resources around areas in which we can have the most impact," added Chancellor Brendan B. Kelly. "This decision reflects our commitment to engage in regular organizational assessments to better align the institution with our strategic priorities."
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Thirteen student-athletes will be impacted by this decision and USC Upstate will provide holistic support and assistance as they consider their future academic, athletic and personal pursuits. Athletic scholarships will be honored through graduation, provided all academic requirements are met and they remain in good standing. NCAA rules provide for the immediate eligibility for student-athletes who wish to transfer, and USC Upstate will provide assistance should they choose to transition to another institution.
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"I want to personally thank all of our current and former men's and women's tennis coaches, student-athletes and their families for their service to USC Upstate," Feig said. "More specifically, I want to thank head coach Tim McLane and assistant coach Michael Graham for their hard work, and I am particularly proud of our current student-athletes for their dedication in the classroom and on the tennis court since my arrival on campus. I share in their disappointment."
Â
The discontinuation of sports programs has become a nationwide trend recently. Given the escalating costs of supporting a collegiate athletic program, many schools face similar challenges. More than 15 NCAA Division I universities across the country have discontinued tennis during the last five years.
Â
Looking ahead to the 2020-21 academic year, USC Upstate will field 15 intercollegiate sports programs. The decision to discontinue tennis does not affect the university's membership in the Big South Conference, as the Spartans will continue to field the required number of programs for conference affiliation.
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About USC Upstate
The University of South Carolina Upstate is a regional comprehensive university offering more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business administration, nursing, and education. Located along the I-85 corridor in Spartanburg between Greenville and Charlotte, USC Upstate is ranked by U.S. News & World Report at No. 1 among Top Public Schools. It serves as a major talent producer for the region, with more than 6,000 students, approximately 1,300 new graduates a year, and nearly 30,000 alumni, many of whom live and work in the state. The USC Upstate Spartans compete in 17 NCAA Division 1 sports as a member of the Big South Conference. For more information, visit www.uscupstate.edu.
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