CHESTERTOWN — Washington College on Thursday turned the first shovels of dirt on the site of what will become the Lim Family Tennis Center, described as a state-of-the-art facility that will “significantly enhance opportunities for student-athletes and local residents.”
The new facility, to be completed by the end of October 2026, is made possible by a generous donation from Jim Lim ’91 and his wife Ann.
The Lim Family Tennis Center will feature six indoor tennis courts built to full U.S. Tennis Association specifications, providing Washington student-athletes with the ability to train and compete year-round.
According to a news release, 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,” Interim President Bryan Matthews ’75 said in the news release.
Matthews said the facility “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,” added Matthews, a former head lacrosse coach and athletic director at alma mater Washington College.
In addition to the premier tennis courts, the project will 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,” the news release states.
Lim, who said 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 Nov. 20 groundbreaking.
“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 College shaped my life in countless ways, and the tennis program and Coach [Fred] Wyman ensured friendships, discipline and memories I still carry today,” said Peter Maller ’90, who was an All-America tennis player for the Shoremen and is now a member of the college’s 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,” Maller said. “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.
The legacy of excellence includes two NCAA Division III men’s national championships, which the Shoremen secured in 1994 and 1997.
Also, Washington College has produced NCAA individual champions in Larry Gewer [1990] and Damian Polla [1995 and 1997.]
On the women’s side, Washington College has produced seven All-Americans including Monica Blanco [1989 and 1990] and Tracy Peel Coutts [1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992], both of whom are members of the college’s athletic hall of fame.
Also, the 1991 women’s team that went 16-2 was crowned Middle Atlantic Conference champion and finished with a national ranking of 12th. The 1992 team earned a bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Overall, the Washington College tennis programs have produced 20 All-Americans and four, four-time All-Americans.
Tennis alumni have gone on to global success as well, including former Shoremen teammates Dave Marshall ’88 and Ross Coleman ’87, who coached their respective doubles teams on side-by-side courts at the U.S. Open. Marshall 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 head tennis coach Constantine Ananiadis.
He said 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,” Ananiadis said in the news release.
Ananiadis said the impact of the new indoor facility will go much further than just helping to recruit and develop varsity tennis players.
Its impact also will very much be felt at local, regional and even national levels, especially at a time when a lot of tennis facilities are being converted or closed altogether, according to Ananiadis.
“I am beyond thrilled about what the future holds for Washington tennis and our tennis community at large,” he said.
