Winthrop Interim President addresses elimination of Men’s and Women’s Tennis programs

Winthrop University Interim President George W. Hynd, in a letter to alumni, says the decision to discontinue Men’s and Women’s tennis was made after Winthrop Athletics was tasked with permanently cutting $600,000 from it’s annual operating budget.

The letter says that after a thorough review of the division, the decision was made to eliminate one sport after realizing they could no longer sustain all the current sports.

Hynd says they had to balance the costs of supporting 17 tennis players and their coaches against the need to cut $600,000 each year from their athletic budget.

He concluded the letter by saying “Over the years the current and former tennis teams and their coaches have impacted Winthrop in ways few other teams have done and their legacy will always be a part of Winthrop.

We share in their disappointment and unhappiness.”