For the second consecutive year, the Tennessee State University Men’s Tennis team has captured the number spot and title as the best HBCU Tennis team in the country. Twenty-six student-athletes from eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) took six singles and four doubles championships during the 23rd annual HBCU National Tennis Championship in the City of South Fulton on Saturday.
Tennessee State, Jacksonville State, North Carolina Central, Hampton, Alabama A&M and Morgan State Universities were those that won the Men’s A, B, and C Singles, respectively.
Alabama State, North Carolina Central, Hampton, Jacksonville State and Delaware State Universities were those that won the Men’s and Women’s A and B Doubles Championships, respectively.
Tennessee State University is the men’s national title winner while Alabama A&M University is the women’s national champion.
The championship matches were hosted at the city of South Fulton Tennis Center Sept. 19-22. The city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsored the four-day event.
“We are elated to support this amazing event that is HBCU tennis. The players don’t have an opportunity to play and compete in the fall, so this tournament was established to fill that void,” said Kathryn Earley, tourism manager of the city of South Fulton CVB. “Events like this enhance our community by providing increased tax revenue, supporting local businesses with the potential to attract new businesses over time.”
The championship was host to more than 250 student-athletes from 25 colleges and universities nationwide and is crucial to support HBCUs year-round for students to thrive in a team atmosphere, said Sean Holcomb-Jones, director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for the U.S. Tennis Association National.
“It is important to bring the ecosystem of HBCU Tennis together as a community. It gives a great opportunity for the student-athletes to meet each other, make connections, and compete against each other,” Holcomb-Jones said. “We look forward to the continued growth of the tournament and our continued involvement both on the National and Sectional level of the USTA.”
