Long Beach State Women’s Tennis Elects To Opt Out Of 2021 Competition
2/26/2021 4:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
The team made the decision prior to the scheduled start of the competitive season in which was to begin March 11.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Director of Athletics Andy Fee and Women's Tennis Head Coach Jenny Hilt-Costello have announced that the student-athletes of the women's tennis program have decided to opt out of competition for the 2021 season.
"Prioritizing the health and safety of everyone involved with Beach Athletics has been our priority throughout the pandemic, but equally important is allowing our student-athletes their voice and freedom of choice," said Director of Athletics Andy Fee. "We will continue to work to provide an opportunity for competition for our student-athletes, but we also absolutely respect the individual concerns and validity of opinion for those who are opting out. These are not easy decisions for anyone."
"Following three weeks of dialogue and ten days of training, the 2021 Beach Tennis team has chosen to opt out from playing this season due to the impact of the pandemic," said Hilt-Costello. "I fully support their well-thought out decision. We will be ready to defend our Big West championship beginning next fall during a full 2021-22 season."
As part of the ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19, the NCAA has previously directed all member institutions to provide student-athletes with an option to opt out of athletics participation with no effect to their eligibility. Long Beach State supports all student-athletes or staff who have decided to take this option in regards to COVID-19.
While the team will not compete in 2021, all student-athletes within the women's tennis program remain enrolled at Long Beach State and have continued access to athletics department support services. The Beach will have six underclassmen eligible to return next season.
"Prioritizing the health and safety of everyone involved with Beach Athletics has been our priority throughout the pandemic, but equally important is allowing our student-athletes their voice and freedom of choice," said Director of Athletics Andy Fee. "We will continue to work to provide an opportunity for competition for our student-athletes, but we also absolutely respect the individual concerns and validity of opinion for those who are opting out. These are not easy decisions for anyone."
"Following three weeks of dialogue and ten days of training, the 2021 Beach Tennis team has chosen to opt out from playing this season due to the impact of the pandemic," said Hilt-Costello. "I fully support their well-thought out decision. We will be ready to defend our Big West championship beginning next fall during a full 2021-22 season."
As part of the ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19, the NCAA has previously directed all member institutions to provide student-athletes with an option to opt out of athletics participation with no effect to their eligibility. Long Beach State supports all student-athletes or staff who have decided to take this option in regards to COVID-19.
While the team will not compete in 2021, all student-athletes within the women's tennis program remain enrolled at Long Beach State and have continued access to athletics department support services. The Beach will have six underclassmen eligible to return next season.
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