Baylor, SMU to Host 2025 & 2026 ITA Division I Men’s National Team Indoor Chamionships
TEMPE, Ariz. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) has announced that Baylor and SMU will co-host the 2025 and 2026 ITA Division I Men’s National Team Indoor Championship, as part of the new format released on Wednesday.
The new regional hosting format will see play split between two host schools within 200 miles of each other with the aim of enhancing the in-person viewing experience, the student-athlete experience and the broadcast production throughout the entire event.
“As the ITA’s marquee event and one of the premier events of each college tennis season, the ITA is always looking for ways to improve upon the current version of the Indoor Championships while simultaneously addressing any challenges associated with the event,” said Cory Brooks, ITA Managing Director. “We are very excited about the opportunities that this new format provides, specifically, the ability to play the entire event on two campuses with access to two fan bases and two world-class facilities built specifically for the college tennis dual match experience.”
Baylor will split the first round, quarterfinal and back draw matches at the Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center.
“Our university and athletic department are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the ITA’s premier men’s collegiate tennis event over the next couple of years,” said Baylor head coach, Michael Woodson. “We are looking forward to the chance to lay a great foundation for the new format of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships.”
The Hawkins Indoor Tennis Center honors the namesake of Jim (BBA `58) and Nell ("Baylor Alumna by Choice") Hawkins and was dedicated on Jan. 25, 2013. Joining the Hurd Tennis Center in support of the BU men’s and women’s tennis programs, the two facilities were named No. 1 by Tennis Magazine for the nation’s best tennis facilities in 2015.
The 34,000-square-foot, $7 million venue has held as many as 450 spectators and features six indoor courts with seating above. The facility was utilized for inclement weather in the 2015 NCAA Championships, 2015 Big 12 Championships and the 2021 Big 12 Championships.
In addition to the two ITA Indoor Championships, the Hawkins will also stand ready during two NCAA Championship events: the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships in November of 2024 and the NCAA Team National Championships in May of 2025, while assisting with the 2024 Big 12 Conference Championships.
“These student-athletes deserve the best treatment in all aspects as they compete for titles amongst the nation’s best,” said Woodson. “Baylor men’s tennis will work hard, with our dedicated staff and in tandem with SMU, to put on the best Indoor Championships to date.”
The Mustangs will host at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex with the semifinal and final rounds in Dallas after splitting the first round, quarterfinal and back draw matchups.
SMU’s Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex, which includes a total of 12 indoor and outdoor courts, opened as the new home of SMU tennis in 2015.
"On behalf of SMU, the city of Dallas and Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex, we are thrilled to welcome the nation’s best for the ITA National Team Indoor Men's Championships,” said SMU head coach Grant Chen. “This is the crown jewel in the ITA calendar and we are honored to showcase our facility and town.”
The Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex hosted the ATP Tour’s Dallas Open in 2022, 2023 and 2024, bringing the first ATP Tour events to Dallas since 1989. Along with the Dallas Open, the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex also hosted both the men’s and women’s Dallas Summer Series each July. For collegiate events, the complex has hosted the American Athletic Conference men’s championship in 2018, the AAC women’s championship in 2018 and 2024, as well as the annual Ralston/Neufeld Coaches Challenge fall tournament.
Named after the prominent Turpin tennis family, Turpin Stadium holds the six outdoor courts of the facility. Six more courts, named after Ruth and Ken Altshuler, can be found on the inside of the complex and viewed from the Brookshire Family Pavilion.
Along with indoor and outdoor permanent seating, the Edwin L. Cox Club Suite stands atop both the indoor and outdoor venues to make viewing accessible on both sides of the complex.
Since its opening, SMU Men’s Tennis has posted a .739 winning percentage at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex.
The complex also holds a training center for athletes and coaches, ensuring that players can train year-round on campus. In addition, patron accommodations optimize comfort and viewing and include special guest amenities and a club area, providing an enhanced spectator experience.
“The Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex was designed with the vision to bring world-class events of all levels to SMU, and we will continue to bring that to light,” said Chen. “College tennis is a tremendous, fan-friendly sport with nonstop action and it will surely be five great days of tennis."