College Breaks Ground on Lim Family Tennis Center
New facility will transform student experience and serve as a regional hub for tennis events.
Men’s Tennis Coach Constantine Ananiadis, Washington College Interim President Bryan Matthews, Peter Maller, Ann Lim, Jim Lim, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Thaddeus L. Moore.
Washington College celebrated a major milestone in the history of its athletics program this Thursday with the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Lim Family Tennis Center. The state-of-the-art facility is set to be an important addition to the College and the greater Chestertown community, significantly enhancing opportunities for student-athletes and local residents.
Set to be completed by October 31, 2026, the new facility is a testament to the College's commitment to tennis, made possible by a generous donation from Ann and Jim Lim '91.
The Lim Family Tennis Center will feature six state-of-the-art indoor tennis courts built to full U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) specifications, providing Washington student-athletes with the ability to train and compete year-round at the highest level. These indoor courts will position the College to host USTA-sanctioned events, regional tournaments, and community programs, expanding visibility and engagement far beyond varsity competition.
"The Lim Family Tennis Center represents more than just a superb athletic facility; it is a clear statement about the future of Washington College,” said Interim President Bryan Matthews ’75. "It aligns perfectly with our goal to enhance the student experience, strengthen our ties to the Chestertown community, and solidify our reputation as a regional destination for excellence—in both academics and athletics. We are profoundly grateful to Ann and Jim for their extraordinary generosity in making this vision a reality."
In addition to the premier tennis courts, the project will also include six dedicated outdoor pickleball courts, supporting one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. These courts will provide new recreational opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. The overall investment in the Lim Family Tennis Center is seen as a major boost for student recruitment, retention, and community partnership.
Lim, who noted that he first started playing tennis by sneaking into the courts of a nearby apartment complex where he grew up, expressed his gratitude for the sentiments expressed at the event. “This is not just about us,” said Lim. “This is for Washington College and the Chestertown community, which really is a great community. We’re thankful for this opportunity and are humbled to be here.”
“Washington shaped my life in countless ways, and the tennis program and Coach Wyman ensured friendships, discipline, and memories I still carry today,” said Peter Maller ’90, a former Washington tennis player and current member of the Board of Visitors and Governors. “To stand here today helping to usher in a new era for Washington tennis is one of the great honors of my long relationship with this College. This represents belief in our current players and coaches, in future teams, and in the power of Washington College tennis to transform lives, just as it transformed mine.”
The groundbreaking follows a rich history of tennis success at Washington. This legacy of excellence includes two NCAA Division III Men's National Championship titles, which the Shoremen secured in 1994 and 1997. Furthermore, Washington College has produced multiple NCAA Individual Champions: Larry Gewer ’91 won the Division III Singles title in 1990, followed by Damian Polla ’97 in 1994 and again in 1997.
On the women’s side, Washington College has produced seven All-Americans including Hall of Famers, Monica Blanco ’90 in 1989 and 1990, and Tracy Peel Coutts ‘92 P’28 in 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. The 1991 women’s team were Mid-Atlantic Conference Champions and in the following year, 1992, ended the season with a 12th overall national ranking and made an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Overall, the Washington College tennis programs have produced 20 All-Americans and four, four-time All-Americans who earned the title every year they played at Washington College. Alumni have gone on to global success as well, including former Washington tennis players Dave Marshall ’88 and Ross Coleman ’87, who coached their respective doubles teams on side-by-side courts at the U.S. Open. Marshall has also recently achieved coaching success at the French Open.
The Lim Family Tennis Center is designed to build upon this foundational success, ensuring current and future student-athletes have the resources necessary to continue this championship tradition.
“To say that this facility will be a ‘game-changer’ is certainly an understatement,” said Men’s Tennis Coach Constantine Ananiadis, noting that the new facility will allow players to train at a higher level and enable the College to host more competitive matches as well as recruit student-athletes. “Now, to go along with the beautiful Schottland Tennis Center and its eight recently resurfaced outdoor courts, Washington College will also have one of the best, if not the best, indoor tennis centers in the country as well. And its impact will go much further than just helping us recruit and develop varsity tennis players. Its impact will also very much be felt at local, regional, and even national levels as well, especially at a time when a lot of tennis facilities are being converted or closed all together. I am beyond thrilled about what the future holds for Washington Tennis and our tennis community at large!"
To learn more about Washington’s athletics facilities and offerings visit their webpage.
- Dominique Ellis Falcon & Courtney Hardy