STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point athletics department will expand, effective immediately, with the reinstatement of the men's tennis and men's golf programs, UWSP Director of Athletics Brad Duckworth announced today (Jan. 31).
 
"This is an exciting opportunity for UWSP to offer even more students the life changing athletic and academic experiences all of our Pointers encounter," said Duckworth.  "With the successful launch of women's wrestling; we have been looking for additional ways to increase enrollment through athletics.  I am confident both sports will recruit new, high-level players, who are also great students.  Chancellor Gibson and all of the UWSP administration continue to be student centered and the addition of these two sports give even more Pointers opportunities.  Men's tennis and golf have a long tradition at UWSP and I couldn't be more thrilled to reinstate the programs. "
 
Current UWSP women's tennis coach Matt Hockett has also been named the head coach of the men's team which will begin competing this fall (2022). The men's tennis program was discontinued in 1990 after a lengthy run of success dating back more than 50 years. In his second season leading the women's program, Hockett's Pointers won a school-record 16 matches. He was named WIAC co-Coach of the Year while positioning UWSP as the four-seed, the highest finish since 2009-10.
 
"Every challenge creates a new opportunity," stated Hockett, "and the chance to wake up a program that's been dormant since 1990 is something that I don't take for granted. The energy, excitement, and enthusiasm for tennis at UW Stevens Point and our coinciding community continues to grow – and will only get better with the rebirth of men's tennis. I have a plethora of people I would like to thank, but at the core is our athletic administration for sharing a belief in our program and continued vision for growth. I will continue to convey the lessons learned from my mom, dad, sister and Uncle Matt – all of whom molded me into the coach I am today. Having grown up in the town of McFarland I couldn't have asked for better mentors than current high school head coach Tod Lacey and the late Bob Renslo, who took individuals from the entire community and created a 'Tennis Family', something we will strive to achieve in Stevens Point. With a strong women's program gaining momentum, a blank canvas for our men, and some of the best facilities in central Wisconsin, there has never been a better time to be a Pointers tennis recruit. I can't wait to get to work and expand our Family!"
 
A coach for the men's golf program will be named at a later date, but the program will also begin competition in the fall of 2022.  The men's golf program was discontinued in 1995 after nearly 40 years of competitive excellence.  The Pointers won the 1991 and 1980 conference title and UWSP had three individual conference champions. In 1991, Pete Kasson was the WSUC Coach of the Year.
 
Prospective student-athletes interested in joining the men's tennis or men's golf programs should fill out the recruiting questionnaire.