The commitment to excellence at Indiana University is obvious when observing the state-of-the-art facilities that the Hoosiers train and compete on throughout the collegiate tennis season.
With both indoor and outdoor tennis courts, Indiana’s tennis teams are always assured of a quality tennis practice. Located within walking distance of Indiana’s other excellent athletic facilities, the Indiana University Tennis Center and outdoor Varsity Courts have been cited as some of the finest courts in the nation.
The outdoor Varsity Tennis Courts are the primary facility for both t
he men’s and women’s tennis squads. With a seating capacity of over 600, spectators are assured a quality view of any one of the 10 courts the complex boasts.
During the winter months and periods of rain, the IU Tennis Center is the temporary home of the Hoosiers. With eight courts, locker rooms, and bleacher seating of 300, the indoor facility provides a solid atmosphere for the Hoosiers to train and compete.
The facilities have hosted four Women’s Tennis Big Ten Championships. The first came in 1988 and the second came just one year later. The facility was chosen again in 1993 and in 2002. The Hoosiers claimed the tournament championship on three of those four occasions on their home courts.
When the varsity tennis teams are not using the indoor facility it is used as a training facility for many different types of people. The center’s talented staff members teach tennis lessons for kids and adults of any age.
In addition to the tennis lessons, the indoor and outdoor facilities have both played host to many major tournaments throughout the year, including the 1997, 2001 and 2002 ITA/USTA Summer National Championship and eight ITA Midwest Summer Circuit tournaments.
The weight training facilities under the guidance of Mark Wateska are some of the natio
n’s best. The same holds true for the athletic sports medicine program. Under the guidance of head trainer Kip Smith and team physician Dr. James Nevins, the sports medicine program provides complete medical services for sports teams at Indiana. Graduate trainers are in attendance at every practice and competitive event. Team orthopedic surgeon Dr. John McCarroll, team dentists Dr. Sally Sturgeon and Dr. Richard Shelley, and staff physical therapist Wendy Poppy also serve the team.
Indiana University provides first class travel for its men’s tennis team. When traveling, the team has a bus, a private plane, and flies commercial air for away matches and tournaments. The bus is well equipped with good lighting for studying, individual seats and a VCR for travelling enjoyment. The plane, the Gulfstream-1, is University-owned and seats 19 passengers.
In addition the IU training table provides athletes with a good dinner with proper nutrition and nourishment.
When rain or cold weather force the Hoosiers indoors, they practice at the Indiana University Tennis Center. The Tennis Center is adjacent to the outdoor complex and houses eight courts, locker rooms, and a seating capacity of several hundred. Combined with the outdoor courts, it gives the Hoosiers one of the best collegiate tennis facilities in the country.
