In November 2009, the North Carolina A&T Women’s Tennis Team was permanently moved out of what was known as the Community Center for Aggie Suites.

The Community Center for Aggie Suites was renovated for the Child Development Laboratory after the columns in Price Annex Hall were found deteriorating, creating a safety hazard for not only the children, but also for A&T students.

The Child Development Laboratory is a 5-star rated day care which A&T students who major in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, and Family Studies work as a part of their coursework. After the old Price Annex Hall was proved to be unsafe, the daycare was moved to a church downtown, and ultimately was moved to the building near the A&T tennis courts.

“When I came to work the decision had already been made. We were not a part of the decision,” said Juliette Jackson, director of The Child Development Lab, which opened March 1, 2010.

Andrew Perkins, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Facilities, made the decision.

Members of the tennis team were under the impression the building where the Child Development Center is now located was for their own use; however, Andrew Perkins, Vice Chancellor of Facilities said that is not the case.

“The building was initially designed as a fitness center for students that lived in Aggie Suites as a part of a private partnership,” explained Perkins.

This foundation private property partnership included the buildings: Pride Hall, Aggie Suites E & F, the Alumni Event Center, the Community Center for Aggie Suites, and new tennis courts.

After the A&T Men’s tennis program was cancelled, Perkins explained that there was just an office in the Community Center for Aggie Suites designated for the head coach of the Women’s tennis team, and he did not see any reason for the building to only be of use for the coach when there were children who needed to be moved somewhere quickly and conveniently.

“Why put these children and students downtown when they can be put on campus,” said Perkins.

Tennis head Coach, James Dunwoody’s office is now located in Moore Gym.

The building that is conveniently located near the tennis courts where the tennis team holds practices is no longer available for them to use. As a result, the tennis team does not have a nearby locker room, equipment room, or restrooms.

Members of the tennis team have used the restrooms in Aggie Suites E & F, and even have gone back to their own apartment to use the restroom.

Some members of the team are mainly concerned about the lack of restrooms near the tennis courts.

“I love being a part of the team, but I feel as though it’s an extreme failure to not have bathroom facilities, especially since we’re females. It’s a basic necessity,” said Chloe McSwain, member of the tennis team and sophomore Spanish major from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

“Building bathrooms near the tennis courts needs to be done, but it is not a priority,” said Perkins.

Because the Athletic Department has spent $76,278.22 on tennis scholarships and does not generate surplus revenue, the Department of Facilities does not have the money to automatically begin building restrooms, which would be an estimated $40,000.

Perkins also mentioned, athletics are considered to be non-general fund activities. The department of facilities and operations is more concerned with academic buildings because athletics has its own department. For the restrooms to be built now, the money has to come directly from the athletic department.

“The Athletic Department is aware of the situation. They have indicated to me that they’re trying to do everything in their power to correct the situation,” said Dunwoody.

With an athletic budget of $7,592,219 this school year that comes from student fees, concessions, gate receipts, season books, game guarantees, and other miscellaneous categories, “Money is no excuse,” said Earl Hilton, Athletics Director at A&T.

Meanwhile, there are lockers and restrooms available for the tennis team to use located on the ground floor of Corbett Sports Center.

“It’s difficult to transport equipment from the tennis courts all the way to Corbett,” said Azeib Nigatu, member of the tennis team, and junior psychology major from Minneapolis, MN. “Carrying a bucket of tennis balls and rackets plus other equipment can be too much.”

Not too many opposing teams have had to endure the lack of convenient restrooms and locker rooms because the tennis team has only hosted one home match on A&T’s campus. Most of their home matches were played at the Piedmont Indoor Tennis Center.

Also because those locker rooms are available for anybody to use on the ground floor of Corbett Sports Center, people who store their belongings in the lockers have to provide their own lock and are unable to keep things locked in there overnight because it is not a designated sports team locker room.

Although, none of the members of the tennis team are on full scholarship, and last week ended their season with an overall 1-14 record, Hilton believes they need to be treated as true scholarship athletes.

“There is no immediate solution,” said Hilton. “It’s not Division I, and it’s unprofessional. Hopefully we can create a stand-alone structure in the near future.”

Members of the tennis team look forward to seeing this done.

 

• Karmen Robinson