University of Illinois to Host 2009 ITA National Men’s Team Indoor Championships
January 30, 2009
CHICAGO, IL — The University of Illinois Men’s Tennis Team will host the 16 of the teams in the nation at the 2009 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Men’s Tennis Team Indoor Championships. The tournament will take place February 13 – 16 at Midtown Tennis Club located at 2020 W. Fullerton Avenue in Chicago.
“The ITA is delighted to have our Championships return to Midtown Tennis Club, one of the most outstanding Indoor Tennis Club facilities in the country,” said David A Benjamin, Executive Director of the ITA. “All our varsity student-athletes are looking forward to participating in this great event and we are most appreciative of the University of Illinois for serving as the host institution at one of the ITA’s most prestigious events.”
“The University of Illinois is honored to host the country’s top Men’s Tennis Teams,” said University of Illinois Men’s Tennis coach Brad Dancer. “The ITA Nationals are always one of our favorite tournaments of the year and spectators will have a chance to get up close and personal with the nation’s brightest stars. I would like to thank Midtown Tennis Club for being the host site of the tournament and look forward to a great event.”
“Midtown Tennis Club is very proud to be the host site for the ITA Championships,” said Michael Mahoney, General Manager and Vice President of Midtown Tennis Club. “This is our third time hosting the tournament and the level of play is always world class. Good luck to Coach Brad Dancer, the University of Illinois and the rest of the teams who will be competing in this event.”
The field has been set for the 35th annual event after sixty teams competed in the inaugural ITA Kick-Off Weekend January 30 – February 1 to determine which 15 teams will join the University of Illinois at the 2009 ITA Championships in Chicago. Of the fifteen No.1 seeds in the Kick-Off competition, 14 have advanced with an opportunity to capture the elusive National Team Indoor Championship title. Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio State, Pepperdine, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas, Tulsa, UCLA, USC and defending champion Virginia will all make their way to Chicago next week.
Baylor: Currently ranked #10 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #67 Utah and #58 Georgia Tech.
Florida: Currently ranked #7 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #48 Arizona and #15 Texas A&M.
Florida State: Currently ranked #18 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #33 Duke and #21 Oklahoma State.
Georgia: Currently ranked #3 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #51 South Carolina and #36 Washington.
Illinois: Currently ranked #13 in the ITA Rankings. Serving as the host institution for the second time in three years (2007).
Michigan: Currently ranked #14 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #25 California and #38 VCU.
Mississippi: Currently ranked #9 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #37 Kentucky and #27 Wake Forest.
Ohio State: Currently ranked #1 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #64 Stetson and #30 Virginia Tech.
Pepperdine: Currently ranked #23 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #46 Denver and #24 Alabama.
Stanford: Currently ranked #11 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #26 Boise State and #31 Auburn.
Tennessee: Currently ranked #8 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #47 Harvard and #43 Louisville.
Texas: Currently ranked #2 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #61 UC Santa Barbara and #35 TCU.
Tulsa: Currently ranked #12 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #32 Notre Dame and #16 LSU.
UCLA: Currently ranked #4 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #72 South Alabama and #40 Fresno State.
USC: Currently ranked #6 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #56 Mississippi State and #53 San Diego.
Virginia: Currently ranked #5 in the ITA Rankings. Advanced with victories over #45 Arkansas and #39 East Tennessee State.
The ITA Championships are open to the public and tickets are available at the door. Single day tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for students. All-session passes cost $15 for adults and $10 for students. For more information including a complete schedule of events please call Midtown Tennis Club at 773.235.2300 or visit midtown.com/chicago.