Jan. 15, 2010
LAS VEGAS - As part of Friday's opening round of the annual Freeman Memorial women's tennis tournament, the UNLV family took a few moments to stop and say thank you to another family -- led by Frank & Vicki Fertitta.
While Mr. Fertitta passed away last year, Mrs. Fertitta was on hand to be recognized for her family's great generosity, which included a $1 million gift that was the driving force behind the construction of the Frank & Vicki Fertitta Tennis Complex, which opened in 1993.
The facility has since served as home to not only UNLV's men's and women's nationally ranked teams but to various physical education classes, youth tournaments, adult continuing education groups and even professional tournaments featuring local legend Andre Agassi.
The complex, which recently underwent a $2 million upgrade to make sure it continues its reputation for boasting state-of-the-art amenities, was named one of the nation's top 10 public tennis facilities by Billie Jean King in a story appearing in USA TODAY in 2005.
Dignitaries on hand Friday included UNLV President Neal Smatresk, UNLV Director of Athletics Jim Livengood, Governor Bob Miller and current head coaches Kevin Cory (women's team) and Owen Hambrook (men's team). Cory presented Mrs. Fertitta with an original print commemorating the facility and its namesakes before the group was treated to a lunch sponsored by UNLV tennis supporter Sammie Kessner.
"Our tennis teams are two of our most academically engaged and successful programs," said Smatresk. "That fact that you (Mrs. Fertitta) are here and we have friends such as you who help support us is a big reason for that success. Vicki, we may not have been your alma mater, but UNLV is proud to be your adopted alma mater."
Since first calling Fertitta home nearly 17 years ago, here are some of the highlights of what UNLV Tennis has produced on and off the courts:
- Two National Champions- Three UNLV Hall of Famers- 13 All-American honors- 14 Conference MVPs- 14 NCAA tournament teams- Five coaches of the year- Five women's conference champions- Four men's conference champions- Eight Academic All-Americans- 61 National Scholar-Athletes
