BU club tennis indefinitely suspended, reinstated within week

By: Emily Riddle

On Jan. 17, club tennis was officially indefinitely suspended but was reinstated one week later.

            Club tennis president Chandler Haney said the first mention of a potential suspension was in November.

“I received an email saying, ‘Hey, all of these people have to join your Engage roster or fill out this paperwork by this day,’ and it was like two days later, ‘or else club tennis will be suspended the rest of the semester,” he said.

An email exchange between Chandler Haney and Whitney Burress stating club tennis cannot continue practice until these students fill out paperwork or join the Engage roster.

            When Haney returned from winter break, he received another email that stated club tennis was still suspended.

            According to assistant director of campus recreation Whitney Burress, three things must happen to be unsuspended: the roster on Engage must be fully updated with inactive members removed, paperwork must be completed for the active members, and Burress must approve practices to resume.

Haney said he followed Burress’ instructions and purged the Engage roster and asked for permission to resume practice on Jan. 8 with no response. He followed up on Jan. 11 and also received no response.

            On Jan. 17, Haney held a club tennis practice and said Burress walked into practice and told them that they had to shut it down because they did not have approval.

            Following the shutdown, Haney received another email. He said it included about 25 names of alleged members who were not on the original list Burress said needed to be confirmed as members.

            Haney said he understands that it is policy but said: “When I signed up to be president of this thing… I never wanted to be like a big deal. Like it was kind of a place to come have fun, it looks so different from the other club sports.”

            Club tennis member Harrison Smith said it bummed him out when the club was shut down and the vice president Sadie Durant said it was disappointing.

Club tennis members play during their first practice after the group was reinstated Jan. 24.

            The club officially started practicing again on Jan. 29.

            Members said they were excited about the reinstatement.

“I’m excited to be able to hit the courts with all of them,” club tennis treasurer Matt Rice said.

            Durant said that they are “back in business” and hopes the club can remain on active status for the rest of the semester.