DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.– Bethune-Cookman University recently received financial support to continue building state-of-the-art sports facilities for student athletes.

On Feb. 28, USTA Florida visited B-CU to present administrators with a check for $100,000, which will be used to build the university's first on-campus tennis courts.

"We thank Ms. Laura Bowens, Mr. George Henry and Mr. Chuck Gill," said Bethune-Cookman University Acting President Dr. William Berry. "This is a tremendous investment in our university and our students. We do not offer a major in tennis. Our tennis team players are studying biology and computer engineering. The fact that they are developing their minds and bodies while participating in a team sport speaks volumes about how ready they will be to depart the campus and make a contribution for the greater public good."

The donation is a part of a larger initiative for USTA Florida and its support of HBCU tennis programs. This funding strives to assist Bethune-Cookman University as it grows and expands its tennis program and recruits more Florida students to play at a Historically Black College in the state. 

"When you talk about athletics and talk about academics, Dr. Berry knows better than anyone how that transition goes," said Athletic Director Reggie Theus. "In our championship culture, you cannot have that culture without facilities. Having these kind of partnerships is really important in building our university and athletic department. Thank you Coach Wollett for helping facilitate this, and Dr. Sherry Paramore for always being in our corner in athletics helping us build and helping us raise money."

"This is not about me. It is about our players," said Head Tennis Coach Chris Wollett, now in the midst of his third year at the helm of the Wildcats tennis program. "I cannot thank the USTA enough. One of my mentors told me a long time ago - when people give their time and money, it shows how much they truly care about you. We are truly excited about the direction this is going, and I thank you all."

"One of the main reasons we did what we did with this grant, is being able to see more Florida students have educational opportunities and for supporting HBCUs," said Laura Bowen, Executive Director of USTA Florida. "I think it is also fitting that we are here today at a university named after a woman that gave so much of her life to shaping this community and our nation for the better. This is much bigger than a check today. This is a promise that USTA Florida is now an equal partner for the success of this program."
 
In October 2023, B-CU administrators celebrated the completion of a new on-campus practice football field, with the addition of a locker room set to be completed in the spring of 2025. Construction has also begin on the Lemerand Academoc Complex, located adjacent to the schools Athletic Training Center. Most recently , the department launched a fundraising campaign with alumni basketball players to pay for improvements to historic Moore Gymnasium.
 
For information about contributing to campus projects, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at www.Cookman.edu/Donate or call (386) 481-2954.


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