June 19, 2008

CALDWELL, Idaho - College of Idaho athletic director Marty Holly announced today that men's tennis will return as an intercollegiate sport, beginning in the spring of 2009.

It marks the third time that the Coyotes will compete in the sport.  The C of I sponsored men's tennis from the World War II era up until 1978, when all sports except men's basketball, women's volleyball, and men's and women's skiing were eliminated.  The highlight during that period was the play of Jan Christensen, who became the first C of I player to advance to the NAIA Championships during the mid 1970s.

The current women's tennis program began in 1984, with the men's program returning during the 1996-97 school year for a five-year run.  However, the men's team was eliminated once again due to a lack of quality courts - which were not able to handle two teams.

"We're excited to bring back men's tennis as an intercollegiate sport," said Holly.  "With the academic profile of most men's tennis players, it is a natural fit for The C of I."

Women's head coach Cisco Limbago will coach the men's program as well - and will benefit by the construction of three state-of-the-art courts, between the J.A. Albertson Aquatic Center and Covell Hall, while the two existing courts have been resurfaced - featuring a purple playing surface.

"With our new courts, there is no reason why we can't attract some of the better student-athletes in the Treasure Valley," said Holly.

Five players will join the Yotes next year - Eric Schuler of Mountain View High, James Collet of Pocatello High, Gage Egurrola and Shravan Sriganesh of Homedale High, and Joel Hernandez of Caldwell High - adding to a group of five current C of I students who competed at the club level this spring.

With the addition of men's tennis, The College of Idaho now sponsors 19 intercollegiate sports - the most of any four-year school in Idaho.