Tuskegee University's tennis team showcases HBCU on-court excellence

Tuskegee University in Alabama, founded by civil rights activist Booker T. Washington, has taught and produced the most African-American aerospace engineers in the country, but it has also made a splash in the realm of collegiate tennis.

The Golden Tigers are an NCAA Division II team, competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which is primarily composed of HBCUs in the region.

The teams are led by Coach Gregory Green, who coached at Tuskegee from 2000 to 2005 and returned in 2021. Last season, the men’s team had a 10-5 record and made an appearance at the SIAC championship. The season also came with honors for two players: sophomore Torain Alleyne received All-Conference honors and junior Josiah Blocus earned First Team All-SIAC and All-Tournament honors. Alleyne, a captain on the men’s team, spoke about the expectations of being an all-conference player while trying to bounce back from knee surgery late last year.

“That drive we had last year, [Green] increased the intensity of practice and increased our motivation even more,” Harrington said in early February. “It’s the reason why we have that 8-0 [streak]. Last year was a good year because we were all freshmen. This year, we want it now.”

Though neither team has won championships recently, they are no strangers to winning. The women’s team has won seven SIAC titles since 2000. No other women’s program in the conference has more, and they are tied with Morehouse College for both men’s and women’s titles in the same period, according to SIAC.com. The men won three in a row from 2004 to 2006. In addition, since 2010, the men have finished top three in the SIAC Championship tournament four times, while the women have done it five times, including back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

“As a person, you can only control great attitude and great effort, which equals greatness,” Green said. “That’s the motto that we go by. We tap that as soon as we walk through the gates. It’s posted on our fence. We travel with it, and before we touch those courts, we touch that sign. That’s letting us know right now that we’re about to lock in.”

Green, a multiple-time coach of the year winner, gave credit to his players for creating a winning culture during his tenure at Tuskegee. 

“By the time I got to Tuskegee, they wanted to win, and the students I had at the time just needed some direction. It was challenging at times, but the students wanted it just as much as I did,” Green said. “Some coaches get caught up on themselves, but it’s all about the players.”

Though it’s only the beginning of the season, Tuskegee’s tennis program will be one to watch for this season and the near future.