When Clancy Shields surveyed the scene at LaNelle Robson Tennis Center on Saturday, he knew something special was happening. The University of Arizona president, athletic director, and men's basketball head coach were all in the house, cheering on the Wildcats as they took on Clemson in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Suresh Garimella, Desireé Reed-Francois, and Tommy Lloyd joined hundreds of fans packed into the venue, all there to witness Arizona punch its ticket to a fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. For Shields, the sight of university leadership in the stands meant more than just moral support—it was a statement.
"It's why the Tucson community is so special," Shields said. "To see the figureheads of this community out here supporting our program—Tommy, Desireé, the president. Everybody."
That level of backing carries extra weight this season. Across the country, athletic departments are cutting sports like men's and women's tennis to tighten budgets in college athletics' ever-shifting landscape. Just days before the NCAA Tournament, Arkansas announced it would drop its tennis programs—even though the Razorbacks men's team had qualified for postseason play. North Dakota, Saint Louis, and Gardner-Webb have also eliminated tennis from their rosters.
Former tennis star Patrick McEnroe recently highlighted the sport's struggles in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, pointing to a decline in young American players competing at the collegiate level. College tennis may be in crisis, but this past weekend in Tucson showed Arizona is bucking the trend.
The atmosphere was electric from the moment fans arrived. The Arizona pep band greeted them at the gates, while a concession stand offered lemonade and hot dogs to beat the desert heat. Fans paid $10 for entry, bringing much-needed revenue to what's often labeled a non-revenue sport.
"The people care and are invested in what you're doing," Shields said. "Ten years ago when I took over this job, I always hoped it would be something like this. I always felt that I want to coach at a place with an incredible community. And you see that on days like today. You're in the right spot. This is right where you want to be, because of the community like this."
For those who couldn't make it to the match, there's still plenty to cheer about. The Wildcats' Sweet 16 run is a testament to the program's resilience—and a reminder that in Tucson, tennis isn't just surviving. It's thriving.