Women’s Tennis at ULM Disappears Due to Budget Constraints
MONROE, La. – The University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) women’s tennis program has been discontinued due to financial limitations within the institution’s athletic department. Athletic director John Hartwell announced this week that the decision was the result of “increased operating and infrastructure costs.” This measure seeks to help ULM Athletics “continue to move towards budget balance” while maintaining the NCAA’s required minimum of 16 Division I sports.Hartwell assured that ULM will honor the scholarships of those students who wish to complete their studies without the need to transfer. In addition, the administration will provide support to the tennis players who wish to continue competing, helping them to find opportunities at other universities.Discontinuing a sport is never an easy decision, nor one we take lightly. We know this is difficult for our student-athletes and our coaches, who have invested so much in our tennis program.
John Hartwell, Athletic Director
As female tennis athletes graduate or transfer, the scholarship funds that had been allocated to them will be redirected to other female sports teams that remain at ULM.We will prioritize a transition as smooth as possible for our student-athletes.
John Hartwell, Athletic Director
