Above: MGCCC Jefferson Davis Campus has entered a partnership with Gulfport High School for use of its newly renovated tennis courts for the high school’s tennis team.

Gulfport High School Admiral Tennis has entered into a partnership with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College to use the college’s tennis courts, located at the Jefferson Davis Campus in Gulfport. The high school team will begin their 2017 season on March 4 against Northwest Rankin at 10 a.m. at the MGCCC Jefferson Davis Campus tennis courts.

“We believe the courts at JD provide an ideal situation for the GHS Tennis program,” said Bryan Caldwell, Gulfport School District athletic director. “This arrangement provides ample practice space as well as four newly renovated courts to be utilized for competition. The leadership at MGCCC has been tremendous in their willingness to accommodate the needs of our tennis program. We look forward to this partnership lasting for many years.”

Dr. Jonathan Woodward, vice president of the Jefferson Davis Campus, said the partnership was one that grew out of an already successful relationship with the school district. “We have several successful partnerships with Gulfport schools, one of which is the pilot program for our Collegiate Academy, so it was natural that other partnerships would grow from the great relationship. We are pleased that our fabulous and newly updated tennis courts will be a source of pride for the GHS tennis team.”

Using the courts at the Jefferson Davis Campus will allow the Admirals to expand their tennis program. Coach Courtney Ulrich, head tennis coach at GHS, said the tennis team is excited about getting the season started.

“We are very excited about our Admiral Tennis partnership with MGCCC and look forward to working with them,” she said. “This is an excellent opportunity to expand our program and continue to grow under a variety of approaches and models.”