Chapman dedicates Lastinger Tennis Center

Check out photos from the grand opening

ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman University held its formal grand opening of the brand new Erin J. Lastinger '88 Tennis Center on Oct. 7. The new $5.3 million facility is located across from Marion Knott Studios on the corner of N. Cypress  St. and W. Palm Ave.

Chapman's newest facility bring Chapman's tennis programs back to campus after playing the last two years at various off-campus facilities. The Lastinger Tennis Center replaces the old Chapman Tennis Courts, which were located on the main campus where the new Keck Center for Science & Technology is currently being constructed.

Along Cypress St., the brick wall that once was part of the historic Anaconda Wire & Cable Company was preserved and refurbished to keep the modern tennis center in line, aesthically, with the Old Towne Orange.

The new tennis center features seven courts, donning the Panthers' primary cardinal and gray colors. The Willits Family Concourse provides shaded seating for fans to watch any of the matches on courts 1-6. Fans can also keep tabs on other courts on the Lewis Family Scoreboard.

On Saturday, a crowd gathered on Cypress St. to celebrate the grand opening of the facility. Chapman President Daniele Struppa, Director of Athletics Terry Boesel, namesake and Chapman student-athlete alumna Erin Lastinger and current tennis junior Igor Silva all addressed the crowd prior to the ribbon-cutting.

Lastinger put her tennis skills on display with the first volley with Silva. The Panther teams then gave some lessons for a few fans who came ready to break in the new courts.

With the ribbon cut and action on the courts, Panther supporters were able to tour through the new facility that includes a team room in between two locker rooms and an administrative room on the opposite side of the building.

As part of the renovation of the block that the tennis center sits on, Chapman also added a basketball half-court and the Val Geiger '15 & the Geiger Family Volleyball Court – a sand volleyball court adjacent to the West Campus Parking Structure.

While the Lastinger Tennis Center will host both men's and women's tennis programs as well as a handful of tennis classes, the facility will also be available for recreational use by the Chapman community and the general public. The open hours will be updated here. In the fall, the courts will be available on Tuesdays and Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon.

By Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director

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