Rendering courtesy of SPT ArchitectureWichita State University is honored to be an invited partner to expand entertainment and tourism in Wichita in the development of a premier championship-level tennis facility located within the 35-acre “Ignite at K-96” major multi-sport athletic complex, on the southeast side of the K-96 and Greenwich corridor.
The six-acre tennis complex will be built to NCAA national championship specifications. The facility will feature 12 outdoor and six indoor courts, first-class team accommodations and a spectator capacity of 1,500.
This project reflects a state and local vision that would elevate the WSU tennis program and positively impact student athletes. WSU’s inclusion as an invited partner in this project is pending approval by the Kansas Board of Regents. Developed by Family Destination Development LLC (FDD), led by Marty Cornejo and Ashley Cozine, this project focuses on creating athletic and sporting venues, both indoor and outdoor family entertainment options, restaurants and a resort hotel. This project continues to move through all approval processes, with the Wichita City Council approving the project on Dec. 16.
“This is an important step for Wichita State University tennis, and the university is deeply appreciative of the efforts of Marty Cornejo and the FDD team to bring a project opportunity that the university will not have to utilize public funding to develop,” Wichita State President Rick Muma said. “This facility, once again, demonstrates our commitment to strong NCAA Division I athletics and shows the support we enjoy from our community. This elevates our university, athletic department, the student-athletes and coaches, and tennis in Wichita.”
Wichita State’s men’s and women’s tennis teams will benefit from modern, state-of-the-art and consolidated tennis facilities, which will be used year-round. The facility represents a best-in-class collegiate tennis complex nationally, equipped to elevate recruiting, enhance the student-athlete experience and expand programming.
Rendering courtesy of SPT Architecture“This transformative facility, once completed and transferred to the university with all necessary approvals, will represent the largest single gift in Shocker Athletics history,” said Director of Athletics Kevin Saal. “The new WSU Tennis Complex will shine a bright light nationally, launching our Shocker Tennis programs – and the student-athletes developing within them – forward, into national prominence. On behalf of Shocker Athletics and our tennis programs, we cannot overstate our gratitude and appreciation to Marty Cornejo, Ashley Cozine and their teams for this opportunity, whose investments and love for Wichita State University contribute to making today a reality.”
The proposed facility positions WSU within the top third of the American Conference and will allow for bids to host conference and national tournaments. The indoor courts will open more practice time for WSU student-athletes and provide flexibility when scheduling matches. The facility will include locker rooms, team rooms, an athletic training room, multiple offices and a pro shop for Shocker tennis.
“This new tennis facility is a true game-changer for our student-athletes, who will now have the resources to train and compete at the highest level,” said men’s coach Darragh Glavin. “It will elevate every aspect of what we can offer, from development to recruitment to community engagement.”
The facility is designed to meet every need, including dedicated spaces for training, recovery, study and team meetings, said women’s coach Jacob Eddins.
“The year-round versatility will position us to host regional and national collegiate championship events right here in Wichita,” Eddins said. “Just as important, this facility will be a powerful asset in recruiting top-tier student-athletes, while showcasing our commitment to excellence.”
The Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex, the current on-campus home of Shocker tennis, opened in 1993 and offers eight outdoor courts. The land where the current tennis complex is located will be returned to campus recreational/intramural use and, long-term, could be utilized within the Campus Master Plan.
The new tennis complex will also serve as a first-class venue for hosting external championship-level events intended to advance the influence of tennis in the Wichita community. The complex will give Wichita the ability to pursue local, regional and national events sponsored by the NCAA, Kansas State High School Activities Association and local high schools, the United States Tennis Association, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and the Wichita Tennis Open.
“In addition to serving as a first class indoor and outdoor practice and competition facility for Shocker men’s and women’s tennis, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to host premier collegiate tennis events, such as NCAA regionals and national championships, and American Conference Championships,” Saal said.
This site is made possible through Star Bonds issued by the State of Kansas, which are repaid through sales tax generated within the district. Since its inception in 2014, the district has surpassed all expectations and projections, making this project highly attractive to both Wichita and the State of Kansas.
The WSU Intercollegiate Athletic Association will be responsible for operating the facility. For information on naming rights, contact Alex Johnson, associate athletic director/development and revenue generation, at 316-978-7493.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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