August 4, 2005, Findlay, Ohio—The University of Findlay will dedicate the new tennis venue at the Russ and Peg Armstrong Sports Complex on Friday, Aug. 12 at 4 p.m. The Armstrong Sports Complex is located at the corner of Trenton and North Blanchard Avenues. The public is welcome to attend the dedication.

Following the dedication, the first The University of Findlay Tennis Tournament will begin at 5 p.m. Community members are invited to participate in the doubles tournament, Aug. 12-14, which will have men’s, women’s and mixed teams. To register, contact Cindy Brown, head tennis coach, at 419-434-6789, or go to the website at http://www.athletics.findlay.edu/camps.

The new facility includes six tennis courts that were constructed by the same contractor that built and maintains courts for Flushing Meadows, home of the annual U.S. Open event, as well as tennis courts at many prominent universities.

“Building a new tennis facility will enhance our tennis program’s ability to attract more student athletes. The new tennis courts will put us near the upper echelon of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) in terms of playing surfaces,” said Steven Rackley, athletic director.

The new tennis venue will serve as the site for intercollegiate matches and recreational activities for students. The facility also will be available for community tennis events.

The project was completed through donations from corporations and individuals. Due to the support of more than 40 donors, one of the courts was named in honor of John Weaver, who is a long-time local tennis competitor and a former varsity tennis player for The University of Findlay. Two courts are named for Richard and Sally Hollington. Richard Hollington Jr. is a Cleveland attorney and a UF trustee. Gene Stevens of Gene Stevens Auto and Truck Center, and Kenneth Lather, local attorney, co-chaired the campaign to raise funds for the John Weaver Tennis Court.

The six tennis courts are the first phase of the sports facilities to be completed at the Russ and Peg Armstrong Sports Complex. Through the generosity of Marguerite Armstrong and her late husband, Russel, the Armstrong Sports Complex was launched in 2002. The Armstrong gift allowed for installation and construction of the basic infrastructure of the entire sports complex. When completed, the Armstrong Complex will include a baseball field, a softball field, an eight-lane all-weather track with a soccer field inside the track and two football practice fields.

For more information, contact Charlene Hankinson, Office of Public Information, at 419-434-4515 or hankinson@findlay.edu.