North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Club Serves Up Campaign for New Tennis Complex
6/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
June 5, 2002
RALEIGH, NC - The NC State Student Aid Association (Wolfpack Club) has kicked off the fundraising campaign for the new $1.5 million tennis facility at NC State University, it was announced by Bobby Purcell, executive director of the Wolfpack Club.
"We are excited about being able to step up and improve the tennis facilities at NC State," said Purcell. "We are in partnership with the University to provide the best athletics facilities for all our student-athletes. This new tennis complex joins a growing list of improvements at NC State that we are proud to be a part of."
The new tennis facility will be built on the NC State campus at the site of the current tennis courts, near Doak Baseball Field. The 30,000 square foot facility will house four indoor courts in a building complete with seating for spectators, concessions, bathroom facilities, men's and women's locker rooms, and an office suite for the coaching staffs. Adjacent to the building will be seven additional courts and stadium seating for outside play. The facility is being designed by NBBJ, the nation's second largest architectural firm and fifth in the world in athletics facility design.
The Wolfpack Club has a tentative agreement with the University to name the indoor tennis center in honor of legendary NC State tennis coach J.W. Isenhour. Andy Andrews, who played for Coach Isenhour at NC State ('77-81) is chairman of the fundraising effort.
"J.W. Isenhour has meant so much to tennis in North Carolina that we feel honoring him in this way is only natural," said Andrews. "I met Coach when I was nine years old and the things he taught me on and off the court made a major impact on my life. He commands respect and expects excellence from all that have played for him. We were not the most talented group, but you could bet that J.W. would have us better prepared than any other team. He knows how to get the best from anyone."
J.W. Isenhour served as head coach from 1968-1981. He took the Wolfpack tennis program from the depths of obscurity into the championship limelight. Isenhour's teams compiled a 168-98 (.632) record during his 14-year career. NC State won the ACC Championship in 1978 and 1979 under his leadership and advanced to the NCAA's in 1978. During the course of his illustrious career, Isenhour would lead NC State to double-digit victories, a school record, eight times.
Isenhour, a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, helped more than 300 young players to successful collegiate careers. Throughout his career in tennis, Isenhour coached juniors to all levels of success including appearances in the finals of the NCAA tournament and the Australian Open, semifinals at the US Open and quarterfinals at Wimbledon. "Through his patience and persistence, Coach Isenhour has touched the lives of hundreds of young people through out the state. We are proud to honor him with this new facility at NC State," said Andrews.
For more information about the tennis facility and fundraising campaign, contact Jimmy Bass, associate executive director of the Wolfpack Club, 919-515-2112.
