Written by Gabe Katz

The Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs men’s and women’s tennis teams have long established themselves as the pinnacle of elite competition in the NAIA collegiate tennis scene. Coach Francisco Gallardo has cemented his teams as regulars in the ITA and NAIA regional and national championships.

The teams compete at the highest level in their sport, and now have a facility to match. On Wednesday, March 12, the Ben and Cynthia Wilson tennis facility was officially opened for use on campus. Prior to this facility, the tennis teams on campus had very little in the way of locker rooms, offices, changing rooms, etc.

Ben and Cynthia Wilson have been figureheads in the Athens area for decades, always known for their charity and work in the community. They have been active throughout their church, local education, local coaching positions, and now have their name rightfully garnered upon the newest project on the Tennessee Wesleyan campus.

Alongside the Wilsons, there are many other notable figures honored in this facility. Carter Runyan, Jerry Bryant, Valerie Carter Tipps, and Jim Mosher, whose lineage runs deep at Tennessee Wesleyan already, also have their names brandished throughout the facility.

With the opening of the Ben and Cynthia Wilson tennis center, the Bulldogs will be able to continue to maintain their status at the top of the AAC and NAIA rankings and ensure that the program has all of the necessary perks to bring more hardware to the Friendly City.

Interview by Dakota Caldwell

Camera work by Noah Lones