Sheridan Snyder Tennis Center
Encyclopedia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
opened in 1997 right next to Memorial Gymnasium
Memorial Gymnasium (Virginia)
Memorial Gymnasium is a 2,500 seat multi-purpose arena in Charlottesville, Virginia. It opened in 1924. It was home to the University of Virginia Cavaliers basketball team until it was replaced when University Hall opened in 1965.-History:...
. The 13-court facility showcases Virginia's men's and women's tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
teams.
Configuration
The complex boasts state-of-the-art lighting and spectator areas built into the adjacent hillsides. Plans for the complex also include a tennis pavilion that will house instructional and meeting areas, tournament administration headquarters, and equipment storage space.Namesake
The tennis center is named after Sheridan Snyder, a 1958 University of Virginia graduate who founded the National Junior Tennis League. Snyder is also a board member of Friends of Virginia Tennis.Tennis in Charlottesville
Virginia's Sheridan Snyder Tennis Center not only provides a home for the Cavaliers, but also hosts institutions from the community and around the nation. In addition to University faculty and staff tournaments, clinics, and student classes, the courts accommodate community participants in the Dogwood Festival Tournament, a number of Junior Tournaments, and MATAMata
-People:* Mata , for people with the surname Mata* Mata Hari , stage name of exotic dancer, courtesan and spy Margaretha Zelle* Mata Amritanandamayi , Hindu spiritual leader and guru...
Tournaments. Open 18 hours a day, the Center provides more than 120 hours of tennis opportunities each week.
Past Facilities
Tennis facilities at Virginia date back to 1931 with the construction of the Lady Astor tennis courts. The school's first tennis center was made possible by a gift from Nancy Lady Astor, a Virginia-born member of the British Parliament, who contributed her resources on the condition that others would take part in the venture.During the more than six decades since the original 14 courts were built, innumerable matches have been played on the site.
Together, the University and The Friends of Tennis program hope to build on Lady Astor's foundation and create the most impressive and functional facility for collegiate tennis in the nation.