The next time Hornet tennis fans come to the Emporia State campus, they will experience improvements to the tennis facilities and the programs thanks to a generous gift that will significantly impact the programs on and off the court.
Emporia State University hosted a celebration during the Watering Hole Pre-Game Tailgate on Oct. 1 to honor an anonymous gift from a loyal supporter. This gift was given to the Emporia State tennis programs to enable facility improvements and to provide funds for equipment, travel, scholarships or other enhancements for both the men’s and women’s teams.
“This gift to the tennis programs will enhance scholarships which will allow us to compete better with our Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association peers,” said Kent Weiser, executive director of intercollegiate athletics. “It will allow us to be more competitive among other MIAA tennis programs.”
In response to the donor’s request, the university has dedicated the four individual tennis courts and the tennis complex itself in honor of several passionate Hornet tennis alumni and Hornet supporters. Signage listing important names from Emporia State tennis history was unveiled at the event.
Named after Greg Kossover and George Milton, the tennis complex was dedicated as the Greg Kossover Tennis Complex: Home of Milton Courts. Court 1 was dedicated as the Les Stafford Championship Court, Court 2 as the Ken Hush Court, Court 3 as the Melhorn Family Court, and Court 4 as the Gary & Jan Geringer Court.
“Our donor wanted to honor some of the most successful tennis student-athletes in ESU’s history,” said Shane Shivley, president of the ESU Foundation. “These honorees went on to have outstanding professional careers and credit much of their achievement to Emporia State University. This is an incredible philanthropic gesture to highlight the accomplishments of others while providing opportunities for future tennis student-athletes.”
“Naming the courts in honor of our tennis alumni displays the history of where the program came from,” Weiser said. “It’s great we’re able to recognize our alumni and motivate our current student-athletes to strive for the accomplishments that our alumni achieved.”
The tennis courts were last resurfaced during the summer of 2011, and at that time they were painted the same U.S. Open Blue as the courts at the US Open Tennis Championships in Flushing Meadows, New York. Funds for the next resurfacing, which is anticipated to occur within the next few years, have been provided by this gift.
Weiser believes this gift will have very positive effects that extend far beyond the Hornet tennis programs.
“The gift will have wonderful positive effects on our tennis student-athletes and those around the whole athletics department,” Weiser said. “To see donors and alumni giving back to help our university gives us such a special sense of pride and responsibility.”
About Now & Forever
Now and Forever: The Campaign for Emporia State University, set out with a working goal to raise $45 million through the most comprehensive campaign in university history. We have now reached $50 million and are still climbing. Determined to build spirit, camaraderie and a sense of pride of Hornet Nation, we needed to share our victories. By ringing Silent Joe during each celebration, we announce to the world that the Hornet Nation is Silent No More.
For information about how you can be a part of Now & Forever, the Campaign for Emporia State University, before the campaign closes on Dec. 31, 2016, please contact campaign manager Carol Cooper at 620-341-6463.