IPFW to End Tennis Programs
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne will discontinue its men's and women's tennis programs at the end of the 2014-2015 season. The school says the $450,000 in savings will be used for “student success, retention and recruitment.”
March 29, 2015
News Release
Fort Wayne, Ind. — As part of a continuing strategic effort to focus on its institutional mission while meeting the challenges of the current budgetary environment, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) announced today that it will discontinue the men's and women's tennis teams at the end of the 2014-15 season. This will provide $450,000 for re-allocation and reinvestment in university programs focused on student success, retention, and recruitment. Nine men and nine women student-athletes, as well as two staff coaching positions, will be affected.
“Discontinuing an intercollegiate sport is disappointing,” said David Wesse, vice chancellor for financial and administrative affairs. “The most important step now is to assist these young men and women as they complete their education and finish their tennis careers.”
Affected student-athletes who wish to complete their studies at IPFW will continue to receive their scholarships for the remainder of their athletic eligibility. The Athletics Department will also provide assistance to those interested in transferring to another institution to continue their athletic careers.
Under NCAA rules, student-athletes who transfer because their program has been eliminated are immediately eligible to compete at another Division I school.
IPFW remains committed to its future in NCAA Division 1 athletics and is proud to support 14 men's and women's teams.
“We are extremely thankful for the many academic and athletic achievements of these student-athletes and coaches. We will work to ensure a successful transition for them into the next phase of their lives here or at another institution,” said Kelley Hartley Hutton, director of athletics.
The men's tennis program began during the 1973-1974 season. It was joined by the women's program in the 1976-1977 season. Both teams transitioned to NCAA Division 1 during the 2001-2002 season.
The decision to eliminate the tennis program was based in part on recommendations made by a national collegiate sports consulting group during the fall semester as part of IPFW's on-going internal review of all aspects of university operations. Through this institution-wide review process, the university has already re-allocated over $1 million within academic programs.
Plan 2020, the university's 5-year strategic plan, calls for continual assessment of all university functions to support alignment of available resources with strategic priorities — the top priority being the highest level of success for the broadest number of students.
Source: Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne