BY: SEAN WALLACE; SPORTS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
Photo Courtesy of gobonnies.com
On Aug. 21, St. Bonaventure University announced plans to build a six-court outdoor tennis complex located southeast of Joyce Field.
After twenty years, the tennis courts on the west side of campus are beyond repair and no longer a viable training option for a Division I college program.
Both from the Class of 1984, Michael Hickey, chair of the university’s board of trustees, and Kristeen Hickey, who played tennis for Bonaventure, provided a gift to cover the entire cost of the project.
Construction began in July and is expected to be completed by the end of October. The complex will include lighting, bleachers and parking.
Junior tennis player Arjun Pindiprolu weighed in on the possibility of the school hosting fall tournaments in the future.
“I’m really excited,” said Pindiprolu. “It will for sure make a big difference. I think it is a very important step for the future of both the women’s and men’s tennis programs, as the old outdoor courts really needed an upgrade. It will also help when recruiting new players, and to attract teams to play fall tournaments on the new courts, which is really nice, as we usually aren’t able to compete at home in the fall.”
Last season, Pindiprolu recorded a three-set singles win at the Navy Invitational and won in doubles at the Big 3 Battle with sophomore Luke Ollivierre.
“The new courts are going to be a huge upgrade and something the whole team has been looking forward to. It shows investment in our program and makes us proud to represent the school. It is also nice to be within the athletic complex, making us feel more connected with other athletes,” said Pindiprolu.
Senior tennis player Tamara Bachmann also shared her thoughts on the upgrades.
“The biggest difference will be the quality and consistency of the surface,” said Bachmann. “The old courts had a lot of wear and tear, so having a fresh, even surface should make play smoother and safer. I also think the new setup will be better for hosting matches and bringing in more fans. Hopefully, we will be able to host some invitationals in the fall.”
Last season, Bachmann ranked second on the team with 13 victories in doubles and added six singles wins.
“For us, the new courts mean progress. It gives us a better environment to train and compete, and it sets a standard for what we want our program to become. I think it will help us with our A-10 championship aspirations and also attract future recruits who see that the school is supporting tennis in a serious way,” said Bachmann.
The men’s next match will be in West Point, N.Y. at the Army Duals. The women’s next match will be in Cambridge, Mass. at the ITA Regionals.
