ROCKLIN, Calif. – Jessup University Athletics announced today the difficult decision to discontinue its Men's and Women's Tennis programs, effective at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year.

This decision follows an extensive departmental review of the university's long-term athletic landscape. Jessup University carefully considered multiple factors, including the rising costs associated with the sport, the necessity of reallocating resources to maximize impact across the broader student-athlete community, and the increasing logistical challenges of maintaining access to high-quality training facilities. Ultimately, the determination was made that the cost to maintain the program at a level consistent with Jessup's standards of excellence is more than the university can reasonably sustain.

"This was an incredibly difficult decision, as our tennis programs have been a vital part of our transition into the NCAA Division II era," said Interim Athletics Director Scott Sorgea. "Our primary focus now is supporting our current tennis student-athletes as they navigate this transition, whether they choose to continue their education at Jessup or pursue their athletic careers elsewhere."

Since the inception of the tennis programs—the women's program in 2019 and the men's in 2022—Jessup Tennis has left an indelible mark on the university's athletic history. Originally competing in the NAIA as members of the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), both teams achieved historic milestones:

Men's Tennis: In its very first season (2022), the men's team secured its first-ever program victory in the GSAC Tournament with a 4-3 comeback win over Marymount. By 2023, the program achieved a .500 regular-season record, led by standout student-athletes like Sam Smith, who became the first tennis player in school history to earn CSC Academic All-District honors.

Women's Tennis: The women's program made history early on, recording its first GSAC win in 2020. In 2022, they joined the men in securing their first postseason win. Most recently, the Warriors celebrated their first-ever Pacific West (PacWest) Conference victory on March 20, 2025, with a 7-0 sweep over Chaminade University.

Beyond the scoreboard, Jessup Tennis has been a bastion of academic excellence. The programs have consistently produced NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athletes. Notably, Sam Smith was honored with the GSAC Cliff Hamlow Champion of Character Award in 2023, embodying the university's mission of Christ-centered leadership.

The university has committed to honoring all athletic scholarships for current tennis student-athletes who choose to remain at Jessup to complete their degrees. For those wishing to transfer, the Athletics Department will provide comprehensive support to help them find new programs where they can continue their competitive careers.

"We want to thank coaches like Kellie Borges, Nicole Briceño, Joe Patton, Chris Tolson, and Jon Toney, whose leadership laid the foundation for these programs," added Sorgea. "Most importantly, we thank the student-athletes. Their grit, especially during our transition to the PacWest, has been a source of pride for the entire Warrior community."
 

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About Jessup University Athletics Jessup University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and the PacWest Conference. For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Instagram & X).