(Posted July 20, 2001)

The Juniata College athletic department will add men's tennis to its list of sponsored varsity sports in the Spring of 2002, according to Director of Athletics Larry Bock. The sport was dropped from the athletic program on College Hill prior to the 1995-96 academic year in an effort to increase its commitment to gender equity and build better overall competitive athletic programs. With its addition, the number of varsity sports offered by Juniata will increase to 19.

Mike Hample has been named the head coach of the Eagle men's tennis program. Hample, who is currently employed by the Pennsylvania State Police as a lieutenant, has been an active tennis player since 1977 and has an NTPR of 4.0-4.5. He has worked as a tennis instructor in the past and has recently secured his tennis teacher certification by the United States Professional Tennis Registry.

"Now is a great time to bring back men's tennis," said Bock. "We have an excellent coach who can dedicate himself to strong recruiting efforts. A goal of ours is to provide our varsity student-athletes with quality programs. With Mike's love for tennis and his commitment to success, we are ready to go forward and make our men's tennis program a competitive one on the varsity scene."
The sport maintained varsity status on the Juniata College campus from its first year (1956) until its "departure" in the summer of 1995. The blue and gold low-net program posted its best winning percentage in 1969 with a 10-1 record (.909). The 1988 unit equaled the club's standard for victories in a campaign with 10 triumphs. Both teams finished in second place of their divisions of the Middle Atlantic Conference.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.