KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney will once again have a men’s tennis program, beginning in 2023-24. The decision announced (Thursday) by UNK Director of Athletics Marc Bauer at a news conference, comes four years after men’s tennis was eliminated as part of $2.8 million in university budget reductions. KRVN’s Jayson Jorgensen spoke with Bauer about this big move for Loper athletics.
UNK is able to bring back men’s tennis after a private donor agreed to create a $3.4 million endowment that will fully fund the program’s operating and scholarship needs. The Lopers will play home matches at Kearney’s Harmon Park and the new indoor Ernest Grundy Tennis Center, which opened this spring at University Village. Scott Shafer joined the UNK tennis program in 2013 as an assistant and was elevated to head coach in 2019. He will serve as head coach of the team and will also continue to coach the women’s tennis team. The men’s team will carry a roster of about 10 players and begin play with the 2023-24 season.
