We, the members of the University at Albany Men’s Rugby Football Club and other supporters, petition to keep the Women’s Tennis Team to stay active and remain functioning as a team to compete as a collegiate sport under University at Albany.

Late March, Athletic Director Mark Benson, announced that the Athletic Department of the University at Albany will not be offering women’s tennis after the Spring 2016 semester. According to the Albany Student Press, “The possibility of (women’s tennis) becoming an independent program also was on the table, but because UAlbany would be unable to win a conference championship to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, that option was nixed.”  However, as of today, May 5th 2016, the Women’s Tennis program has placed #1 seed in the American East Conference, won the championship, and is advancing to the NCAA Tournament against Oklahoma State.

The Women’s Team not only is advancing to the NCAA Tournament, the amount of recognition they have received is more than a handful including:

2014-15:

ITA All-Academic Team award: Three danes won ITA Scholar Athlete awards for having a GPA 3.5 or higher

2015-16:

Jovana Kenic - finished with a 19-1 record in singles, 27-5 in the overall year. America East All-Conference Team, America East Player of the Year, America East Rookie of the Year

Ana Glumac and Paulina Torres - finished with a 15-6 record in doubles #1 court

Ana Glumac - finished with a 14-6 in singles record, 10-1 at #5 court

Paulina Torres - America East All-Conference Team, Most Outstanding Player of America East Championships.

Alba Sala and Isidora Pejovic - finished with a 22-9 overall record

Alba Sala - finished with a 20-8 in her overall record. America East All-Conference Team three years in a row, Dean’s list 2014 and 2015, Alpha Pi Alpha Scholarship

Isidora Pejovic - finished with a 12-1 record.

Dajana Ognjenovic - America East All-Conference Team

The list goes on…

We, the students, faculty, staff, and supporters, of the University at Albany, believe that the Women’s Tennis program did not only show that they are capable enough to win a conference championship, but also that they are capable of being a team that wins on and off the court. We request that the University at Albany and the Athletic Department highly reconsider the decision of cutting the Tennis Program.