MONTEVALLO, Ala. – University of Montevallo President John W. Stewart III recently announced the return of men's tennis as the 19th intercollegiate sport at the University.
Men's tennis will become the ninth men's intercollegiate sport at the University. It is the eighth intercollegiate sport added at the University in the past four years.
"I would like to thank the University Board of Trustees and President Stewart for approving men's tennis," said Athletic Director Mark Richard. "We are excited about the continued growth within our department and the addition of men's tennis student-athletes at the University."
The men's tennis program will make its return in the spring of 2018. Montevallo featured a men's tennis program from 1959-80 before it was disbanded following the 1980 season. Highlights included the 1966 team, which finished the season 21-0 and was inducted into the Montevallo Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. The 1969 also finished the season undefeated and won the Alabama Collegiate Conference Championship.
The program will be led by Adam Albertsen, who is in his third year as the head coach of the women's tennis program. Albertsen guided the Falcons to a school-record 13 victories last season.
"I'm excited to build this program up and compete at a very high level," Albertsen said. "I am grateful for the opportunity given to me by President Stewart, University Board of Trustees and Mark Richard."
The Montevallo tennis facilities have seen great improvements since Albertsen took over in 2014. The Falcon Tennis Complex was just recently resurfaced in the summer with new nets installed as well. The six outdoor courts also received a facelift with new windscreens implemented. In addition to the courts, a team meeting room was constructed for the student athletes to have a place to relax before and after matches and training.
Montevallo will become the 11th team to sponsor men's tennis in the Gulf South Conference in the spring of 2018.
With the addition of men's tennis, the University will continue to add to its student-athlete population, which makes up roughly 12 percent of the total undergraduate student population.
Student-athletes at the University have graduated at a 62 percent rate at the institution, a 17 percent higher rate than the general student body, in the latest NCAA Academic Success Report cohort covering federal graduation rates.
