INDIANAPOLIS – Belmont University men's tennis has new conference affiliation through a partnership between the Horizon League and the Ohio Valley Conference, the leagues announced Wednesday.
Belmont officially joined the Missouri Valley Conference July 1, but the MVC does not sponsor men's tennis.
Beginning in the 2022-23 academic year, Belmont joins a new 11-member conference - which combines the men's tennis membership of the Horizon League and the OVC - to ensure NCAA championship access under the umbrella of Horizon League competition.
With Belmont and Chicago State added as affiliate members, league competition will be split into two divisions.
The South Division will consist of Belmont, Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, Southern Indiana, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech, while the North Division will include Chicago State, Cleveland State, IUPUI, Northern Kentucky and Youngstown State.
"This is a tremendous day for our men's tennis program," said Belmont Vice President, Director of Athletics Scott Corley. "It marks the culmination of months of work between conferences and member institutions. We thank the Horizon League, OVC and fellow members, and are proud to participate in this venture to benefit men's tennis student-athletes. From accomplishment on the national stage to opening the Crockett Center for Athletic Excellence, our men's tennis program has undeniable positive momentum. With the leadership of Director of Tennis
Mauricio Antun and today's conference affiliation announcement, we look forward to what lies ahead."
"Our players are excited about being part of this new conference," Antun said. "Thanks to Scott and all the athletic administrators for making this day a reality. We are familiar with many of the programs and look forward to new rivalries and high-level competition that will make us better."
Belmont men's tennis has won six conference championships – five in the last nine years – including two NCAA Tournament appearances. The doubles team of Hendrik Inno and
Marko Ilic earned a No. 8 national ranking, reached the NCAA Championship Round of 16 and won the ITA fall regional championship.
Belmont faced Ole Miss in the 2021 NCAA Men's Tennis Championship.
"We are very excited about this innovative collaboration with the Ohio Valley Conference to ensure the long term future of the Horizon League Men's Tennis Championship and our automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championship," said Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach. "Special thanks to Commissioner DeBauche and the OVC athletics directors for creatively working towards a win-win for our collective men's tennis programs. We would also like to welcome Chicago State as an affiliate member for both men's and women's tennis."
"The changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics requires we have an openness to identifying new and creative ways to provide our student-athletes with outstanding competitive opportunities," said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. "The OVC programs and Belmont University are delighted to join the Horizon League programs and grateful to Commissioner Lach and the Horizon League directors of athletics for their willingness to collaborate and embrace a new partnership model that illustrates how two likeminded conferences can work together to help provide opportunities for student-athletes, strengthen the sport of men's tennis and maintain regional competition."
Final conference schedules and championship format will be announced at a later date.
About Belmont University
Located two miles from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University consists of nearly 8,800 students who come from every state and 33 countries. Consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report for innovation and commitment to undergraduate teaching, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christ-centered and student-focused community of learning and service. As a campus that aims to Let Hope Abound, the University is committed to producing graduates who are Hope Inspiring, Character Forming, Future Shaping, Community Engaging and Bridge Building people. With more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master's programs and five doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information, visit
www.Belmont.edu.
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