Turner Tennis Center Grand Opening Set for September 9
9/2/2024 4:44:00 PM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
CHARLESTON, S.C. – After receiving a generous, program-changing $1.5 million gift in June 2022, the College of Charleston Turner Tennis Center is officially set to open at a private Grand Opening Celebration on September 9, 2024.
In 2022, Robb and Lydia Turner pledged to fund the renovation and new construction of the program's previous tennis facility at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Charleston's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the construction project and renaming of the facility to the Turner Tennis Center.
"We are beyond thankful to Robb, Lydia and Ava for their generous commitment to support our vision for College of Charleston Tennis," Director of Athletics Matt Roberts said. "Their gift enabled us to substantially elevate the student-athlete experience and transform our current tennis facility into a state-of-the-art, nationally-competitive tennis center at Patriots Point."
Robb and Lydia Turner have been ardent supporters of the College of Charleston as their daughter, Ava, spent four years competing for head coach Angelo Anastopoulo's women's tennis program. Ava graduated from Charleston in the spring of 2021 with a bachelor's degree in communications.
"The Turner family was happy to provide financial support to renovate the Cougar tennis center and is excited to see the newly renovated facility. We have seen how important the program was to the college experience of our daughter and many other players," said Robb Turner. "Our hope is the new facility continues to move the Charleston tennis program forward to premier levels of college tennis."
The capital project at the Turner Tennis Center includes a renovation to the interior and exterior of the existing tennis building. Interior improvements include new windows, doors, floors and ceiling as well as lounge space, coaches' offices and a sports medicine treatment room.
"Charleston is a tennis town," says President Andrew Hsu, "and the College of Charleston is grateful to the Turner family for their generous support to help us renovate and modernize our tennis facilities at the Patriots Point Athletics Complex. Their investment in our tennis programs will elevate both the performances and experience of our talented student-athletes."
A covered pavilion with dining tables and lounge furniture highlight the exterior enhancements. The renovations also include resurfacing all nine courts. The singles courts are also now named the Billy Silcox Courts in honor of the Charleston alum and long-time volunteer coach.
"The Turner family has been behind the scenes making sure this renovation was perfect, and we are thrilled with the end result," said Anastopoulo. "It's just what the tennis program, activity classes, and club tennis team needed. It will be such an asset in recruiting and supporting our student-athletes. The Turners have always been family, and now each time I walk up the stairs and see 'Turner Tennis Center' it will bring a smile to my face. It feels like home."
Head men's coach Jay Brunner echoes Anastopoulo's excitement.
"The Turner family has not only enhanced the tennis facility and programs with their very generous gift, they have impacted the lives of all the students, guests, and athletes that will experience the Turner Tennis Center for decades," said head men's tennis coach Jay Brunner.
In 2022, Robb and Lydia Turner pledged to fund the renovation and new construction of the program's previous tennis facility at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant. Charleston's Board of Trustees unanimously approved the construction project and renaming of the facility to the Turner Tennis Center.
"We are beyond thankful to Robb, Lydia and Ava for their generous commitment to support our vision for College of Charleston Tennis," Director of Athletics Matt Roberts said. "Their gift enabled us to substantially elevate the student-athlete experience and transform our current tennis facility into a state-of-the-art, nationally-competitive tennis center at Patriots Point."
Robb and Lydia Turner have been ardent supporters of the College of Charleston as their daughter, Ava, spent four years competing for head coach Angelo Anastopoulo's women's tennis program. Ava graduated from Charleston in the spring of 2021 with a bachelor's degree in communications.
"The Turner family was happy to provide financial support to renovate the Cougar tennis center and is excited to see the newly renovated facility. We have seen how important the program was to the college experience of our daughter and many other players," said Robb Turner. "Our hope is the new facility continues to move the Charleston tennis program forward to premier levels of college tennis."
The capital project at the Turner Tennis Center includes a renovation to the interior and exterior of the existing tennis building. Interior improvements include new windows, doors, floors and ceiling as well as lounge space, coaches' offices and a sports medicine treatment room.
"Charleston is a tennis town," says President Andrew Hsu, "and the College of Charleston is grateful to the Turner family for their generous support to help us renovate and modernize our tennis facilities at the Patriots Point Athletics Complex. Their investment in our tennis programs will elevate both the performances and experience of our talented student-athletes."
A covered pavilion with dining tables and lounge furniture highlight the exterior enhancements. The renovations also include resurfacing all nine courts. The singles courts are also now named the Billy Silcox Courts in honor of the Charleston alum and long-time volunteer coach.
"The Turner family has been behind the scenes making sure this renovation was perfect, and we are thrilled with the end result," said Anastopoulo. "It's just what the tennis program, activity classes, and club tennis team needed. It will be such an asset in recruiting and supporting our student-athletes. The Turners have always been family, and now each time I walk up the stairs and see 'Turner Tennis Center' it will bring a smile to my face. It feels like home."
Head men's coach Jay Brunner echoes Anastopoulo's excitement.
"The Turner family has not only enhanced the tennis facility and programs with their very generous gift, they have impacted the lives of all the students, guests, and athletes that will experience the Turner Tennis Center for decades," said head men's tennis coach Jay Brunner.
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