CARROLLTON, Ga. - The University of West Georgia announced today it is shifting its NCAA-sponsored sports portfolio to better align itself for the immediate future. The shift in focus will include discontinuing the sport of women's tennis.
 
The decision follows a review of the university's sports portfolio to evaluate the right mix of offerings as the University elevates to Division I officially on July 1, 2024.
 
Director of Athletics Jason Carmichael connected with members of the UWG women's tennis team, and the department will support the affected student-athletes' forthcoming decisions and potential transitions.
 
"Changes like this are excruciatingly difficult to implement," Carmichael said. "We have evaluated our sports portfolio repeatedly over the last few years to ensure we are positioned for success in our current and future contexts. After reviewing numerous sources of information and internal and external perspectives, it became apparent we needed to change our current sports portfolio. We will pause Women's Tennis for now and look to identify additional sports sponsorship opportunities to help support our goal of elevating the department and the overall institution."
 
The university will honor the student-athletes' current scholarships if they remain enrolled at UWG. Additionally, the students who signed National Letters of Intent for the 2024-25 year will retain scholarships for the upcoming year if they enroll at UWG.
 
UWG's tennis roster consisted of 11 student-athletes in the 2023-24 season, with five exhausting their eligibility this year.
 
Tennis was relaunched at UWG in 2010 after previously competing in the Gulf South Conference from 1984-2001. The most successful season for UWG came in 1991 when they captured a GSC Championship. Since the relaunch, the Wolves have compiled a 70-160 record.

"I want to publicly thank Coach Bush for her tireless efforts over these last few years. The perseverance and direction she has provided to the Women's Tennis program is to be highly commended," added Carmichael.
 
With the change, the University of West Georgia will sponsor 15 NCAA-sponsored athletics programs in 2024-25, seven for men and eight for women. As previously announced UWG will still add beach volleyball and stunt to its list of sponsored sports over the next two years. 
 
Additionally, UWG will continue to closely evaluate additional sports that may be added to the UWG sports sponsorship portfolio in the coming years. 
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why is now the right time for UWG to make this decision?
A: As our university elevates to Division I, it is imperative we have the right athletic portfolio to meet this new challenge. The entire Intercollegiate Athletics industry is in a massive transition, and choices like this don't happen without great consideration from all perspectives.
 
Q: Will UWG honor existing scholarships of the impacted student-athletes?
A: Yes. All athletics scholarships will be honored during the upcoming 2024-25 academic year. 
 
Q: Will UWG assist student-athletes who desire to transfer?
A. Yes. All affected student-athletes will receive full releases to transfer if requested. Per NCAA rules, these student-athletes will be immediately eligible to compete, provided they are academically eligible. 
 
Q: Were other sports considered for elimination?
A: Multiple options were thoroughly evaluated by the university and outside consultants. We hope this move will help ensure fiscal health and competitive excellence for UWG Athletics. No other sports are being considered to be discontinued at this time.
 
Q. Will discontinuing this sport impact UWG's affiliation with the Atlantic Sun Conference?
A: No. UWG is still above the minimum for both Atlantic Sun and NCAA Sport Sponsorship minimums. UWG remains committed to our upcoming membership in the ASUN Conference.