UB Men's Tennis

DESCRIPTION

We are asking for YOUR help in our goal of achieving a top 50 ITA National ranking and a win in the first round of the NCAA tournament. We are seeking donations to provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to travel outside of our region to play nationally ranked programs, with hopes to obtain and maintain a national ranking of our own. We are also hoping to purchase TennisAnalytics, a software program designed to chart matches and give information that can be used to improve our match tactics.

WHO WE ARE

The University at Buffalo Men’s Tennis team consists of student-athletes from across New York State and various countries from all over the world. Our program consists of players who have won national championships and achieved ATP world rankings. In the past nine years we have accomplished numerous FIRSTS for our program by winning five Mid-American Conference Titles, achieving a national ranking of #56 in 2014, and playing in the NCAA tournament in 2015. In 2017 we became the first team in over a decade to sweep the regular season and post season MAC championships. This year we have already had a first by beating Harvard!

We truly pride ourselves on developing young men who evolve into community leaders during their time competing as a UB Men’s Tennis student-athlete. Off the court, we have maintained an exceptional standard in the classroom, having won the National *ITA Academic Award three times in the past seven years. Our unblemished **APR, is evidence of the balance our program possesses and is a testament to the work ethic and dedication our players have displayed year after year. Our program was had the highest GPA for men sports at UB, and we have been named most improved GPA two semesters in a row.

*ITA – Intercollegiate Tennis Association: The governing body of Division I, II, III, NAIA, and Junior/Community College

**APR – Academic Progress Rating: A measure used by the NCAA, which tracks student-athlete graduation rates on a program by program basis.

WHY ARE WE RAISING MONEY

To become an at-large qualifier for the NCAA tournament, we must achieve and maintain a national ranking of #45 or higher. In order to accomplish this, we must challenge our student-athletes by strengthening our non-conference schedule with nationally ranked programs from outside of the northeast region. We would like the resources to schedule regular season matches outside of our region, providing our student-athletes to compete against nationally ranked programs. In 2017 we used our donations to play Columbia (#16 nationally), and that match was the turning point that led to our undefeated MAC season.

With YOUR help we can and will compete against programs that will help us reach our ultimate goal.

We have been “behind the times” when it comes to tennis technology. Our goal is to purchase six (6) sports cameras and a package of TennisAnalytic hours to break down our athletes’ tendencies. This software breaks down every point, decision and can analyze our performance in pressure points (game points, break points, etc). This program would help our athletes truly become students of the game.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

All donations will provide support for our student-athletes, as they take aim at capitalizing on the programmatic success of the past.  TODAY, YOU can help us set the bar even higher and re define THE STANDARD for mid-major programs across the country!

All gifts made in support of our crowdfunding campaign are tax-deductible and will be allocated towards the Men’s Tennis Resource Fund. Each and every gift is much appreciated. Go Bulls!