College's tennis program has sparkling new home - CofCSports.com--Official Web site of College of Charleston Athletics
4/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
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Actually, there's room for both. One is clay surface, the other is hard surface. One is suitable for big-time events, the other is basically for college and local or regional events. But for hard-court facilities, it would be difficult to top the College of Charleston's new $2.3 million complex at Patriots Point.
It's not surprising that C of C director of tennis Angelo Anastopoulo had been calling me for a couple of months, inviting me to come out for a tour of the complex, and even to test the courts and their pro tournament-caliber lighting system (the same type lights used on the club court at Family Circle). Naturally, he beamed with pride Thursday as he showed off his home courts. The nine-court facility, indeed, is a showpiece.
While the Family Circle Tennis Center is world class, the C of C Tennis Center is certainly a national-class facility. The College may never host the NCAA championships, but its new facility is worthy of such an event. More courts might be needed first.
With what will be a panoramic view of the new Cooper River Bridge, the proximity of the aircraft carrier Yorktown, and two hotels within walking distance, this tennis facility has it all. One look at the place and recruits will be ready to sign on the dotted line, even if the College's campus is located in downtown Charleston. For a tennis player, it's the best of both worlds.
One has to wonder where all of this will lead. The College's men's and women's teams captured Southern Conference titles last year and both were undefeated in the conference this year until last weekend when both lost to perennial power Furman.
It might mean that the College's teams are on the threshold of elite status in the college ranks. It will take a few more years to achieve that status, but Anastopoulo's women's team and Phil Whitesell's men's team might be worth keeping an eye on.
This facility is divided by a modern clubhouse with sliding glass doors on both sides that lead to elevated cement terraces that run the length of three courts on one side and six courts on the other.
Observers can walk a few feet through the glass doors and be on the other side of the complex.
Rocking chairs are scattered about the deep two-tier terraces that sit about six feet above the courts. Other fans can lean against the railings and be within talking distance of the competitors. There is ample room for bleachers on the long terraces, should an occasion warrant such treatment.
Then, there are the electronic scoreboards, one for each of the nine courts. A player has only to press a button to update the score of a match for all observers to see.
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