Bearkat Tennis Team to Begin Practice at New Facility This August
HUNTSVILLE – Construction on the Chuck and Wanda Beckner Tennis Center is nearing completion less than a year since the complex’s groundbreaking ceremony in September 2023.
The newest addition to Sam Houston’s modern athletic facilities is located at 515 Bowers Boulevard across from the Don Sanders baseball stadium. The facility replaces the McAdams Tennis Center, the home courts for the Bearkats for four decades.
The tennis team will begin practice on the new courts as classes start in August with the first event tentatively scheduled for the facility in October.
The Beckners, namesakes for the facility, are avid Bearkat tennis fans who have a deep-rooted passion for the sport. Chuck has competed in several sectional and national championship tournaments in the United State Tennis Association Team Tennis. Wanda is a former co-chair of the National Senior Women’s Clay Court Tennis Tournament at the Houston Racquet Club and has volunteered there for more than 15 years.
“This tennis complex will allow our team to compete and practice on campus and give us the ability to host NCAA dual-match and tournament competitions,” University President Alisa White said. “The complex is a wonderful shot in the arm to our players and coaches and will be a great recruiting tool.”
The new center features six courts with covered bleacher seating for more than 100 fans. Each of the two bleacher structures includes an elevator to lift to the elevated seating and a future clubhouse.
“It has been such a thrill watching this dream become reality as the construction has progressed since the ground-breaking,” Bearkat head coach Rob Hubbard said. “With front row viewing access to each of the courts there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The Bearkat tennis team and I cannot thank Chuck and Wanda Beckner enough for this generous and valuable contribution gifted to our program, the athletic department and the university.”
