HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston Athletics will celebrate its new tennis facility with the official dedication ceremony for the Chuck and Wanda Beckner Tennis Center Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
The ceremony will precede the Bearkat women's tennis dual match with Texas State which will  begin at 11 a.m.

Located at 515 Bowers Blvd. across from Don Sanders Baseball Stadium, the six-court complex is a gift from long-time tennis fans Charles "Chuck" Beckner and his wife Wanda. The new stadium replaced the McAdams Tennis Complex which had been the home for Bearkat tennis program for 40 years.

"Everyone involved with our tennis program is so excited about our new home," Sam Houston head coach Rob Hubbard said. "We have already hosted our annual fall tournament and five dual matches. The reaction of the fans and participants is awesome. Each of the visiting coaches has told us how impressed they are with the facility."

The Beckners have a deep-rooted passion for the sport of tennis. Chuck has competed in several sectional and national championship tournaments in the United State Tennis Association Team Tennis. Wanda is a former co-chair of the National Senior Women's Clay Court Tennis Tournament at the Houston Racquet club and has volunteered there for more than 15 years.

Sam Houston brings a 4-3 dual match record into the Texas State contest. The Bearkats defeated Lamar 4-0 on the road in their most recent outing February 7. Since then winter weather has caused the cancelation of scheduled dual matches with Abilene Christian, Stephen F. Austin and Eastern Michigan.

"The players and coaches are anxious to get back on the courts," Hubbard said. "We've had a few days of practice to get the kinks out and our young ladies are looking forward to getting back to work."

Texas State is an old rival for the Bearkats. Sunday's contest will mark the 35th meeting of the two former Southland Conference rivals.

"We've played some tough teams – Rice, Texas A&M and UTSA -- and we've learned how to fight," Hubbard said. "The road win over Lamar in our last match showed how our young ladies want to compete. It's been tough not getting to play lately and our team is ready to get back to work."

Junior Aliyah Hohmann is the only returning letter winner for the Bearkats. Transfers Christine Jevicky (Angelo State), Jacqueline Scnabel  (Texas State), Adithi Venkatakrishnan (Utah Tech), Sara Sadinovc  (James Madison) and Nayuma Subba (Fresno Pacific) are in their opening seasons at Sam Houston.