CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University athletics department is pleased to announce it is bringing back men's and women's tennis, projected to be added to the fall season of the next academic year.

The former Mount St. Clare College women's tennis program was discontinued in the fall of 2002 and its revival signifies the return of a sport that experienced success last decade.

The men's program was also scratched in the fall of 2000, two years removed from a 9-7 record in 1998.

Then the Mounties, MSC hosted the NAIA Region VII Women's Tournament in 2000 and both teams were coached in the latter stages of the program's existence by Y. Joe Williams and Sr. Theresa Judge.

The latest sport addition comes after Ashford announced it would include the new men's and women's bowling programs under the direction of Head Coach Brian Swanson effective for the fall of 2010.

With the infusion of tennis, Ashford will have a total of 17 scholarship sports as of next year. Negotiations for a potential facility are still underway.

The Saints will most likely compete in the fall and spring seasons against several Div. III programs nearby in the Quad Cities region and versus schools in the Chicagoland-area.

Ashford joins St. Ambrose University as the only other school in the Midwest Collegiate Conference to feature tennis.

"We are delighted to continue to expand our athletic department and put Ashford in a good position to remain competitive experience success on different levels," AU Athletics Director Meg Schebler said. "Adding tennis and bowling for next season is another exciting step forward in the right direction for our school."

Applications are currently being accepted and reviewed to become the head coach of the men's and women's teams. To apply for the head coaching position, please click here. (Click University Services option under Department of Interest dropdown menu to view job description)