On October 6, Virginia Wesleyan University (VWC) celebrated the grand opening of the Everett Tennis Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by President Billy Greer, O.L. Everett, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and other guests. The event began with a breakfast reception held adjacent to the new facility, where the Everett family participated in the ribbon-cutting.
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The Everett Tennis Center, built on the site of the former Penzold Tennis Center, features eight new courts, which include the Thumel Championship Courts, the lighted Penzold Grandstand Courts, and four additional competition courts. The facility also includes court fencing designed with California corners, stadium seating, a gazebo, a viewing stand, and storage areas. Official competition commenced on the new courts in September.
The center is designed for spectators, equipped with updated lighting on the grandstand courts, a welcoming gazebo, a brick façade entrance, and sufficient seating for fans. Its location near the Batten Student Center provides easy access to locker rooms, restrooms, and various amenities offered in the building.
During the ceremony, President Greer remarked on the significance of the day, stating they were making history. Athletic Director Joanne Renn indicated that the opening marks the beginning of a new era of success for VWC's tennis program.
The Everett Tennis Center is part of a broader initiative to modernize the College's outdoor athletic facilities and will serve as the new home for both men's and women's tennis teams, as well as a resource for the entire campus community.
Renn noted, "These courts rival any in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and are among the top five at any Division III school in the country," emphasizing the commitment to enhancing the tennis program at VWC.