WIAA Renews Tennis Tournaments Venue Agreement
STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has reached an agreement on a five-year extension of its contract with University of Wisconsin Recreation & Wellbeing to have Nielsen Tennis Stadium serve as the site of the State Boys & Girls Individual and Team Tournaments through 2031.
“Nielsen Tennis Stadium has served as an outstanding indoor facility for the membership’s State Tournaments for more than 50 years, and we are excited to continue this rich tradition,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “Along with the support of UW Recreation & Wellbeing and the tennis community, the venue helps make these championships a great experience for student-athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators.”
Throughout its history, the facility has hosted many United States Tennis Association events and has served as the home of the WIAA State Boys Tournaments since 1973 and since 1974 for the State Girls Tournaments. Nielsen Tennis Stadium was opened in 1968 as one of the premier tennis facilities in the country with 12 indoor tennis courts and seating for 1,500 spectators.
“We are thrilled to announce that Nielsen Tennis Stadium will continue to host the WIAA State Tennis Championships through 2031, extending a tradition of excellence hosting the tournament at UW-Madison,” said Aaron Hobson, Executive Director of Recreation & Wellbeing at the University of Wisconsin Madison. “We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the state to our campus for many more years of exciting competition and memorable experiences.”
The stadium is named after Arthur C. Nielsen, a UW graduate who served as Wisconsin’s tennis team captain from 1916-18 and donated the finances to build the facility. Nielsen is renowned for creating the Nielsen TV ratings.
The WIAA State Girls Individual Tournament is traditionally held in mid-October with the State Girls Team Tournament a week later. The State Boys Individual Tournament is held in late May or early June with the Boys State Team Tournament to follow a week later.
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 514 senior high schools and 36 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
