Generous Donor Support Returns Tennis Competition to West Liberty Campus
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – West Liberty University is celebrating the reopening of its tennis courts following a significant refurbishment project made possible through generous gifts from WLU Tennis alumni and friends, including a major contribution from former professional tennis standout Betsy Nagelson McCormack.
The project addressed long-needed improvements to the University’s tennis complex, allowing student-athletes to once again compete on their home courts. To date, four of the facility’s eight courts have been repaired, patched, and repainted, with work on the remaining four courts currently underway.
The reopening marks an important milestone for the men’s and women’s tennis programs. In September, the men’s tennis team hosted its first home match on campus since 2022, signaling the return of intercollegiate competition to the revitalized facility.
“This project demonstrates what can be accomplished when alumni and friends invest in the future of West Liberty University,” said Brad Forshey, Athletic Director. “We are deeply grateful to Betsy McCormack and to our tennis alumni. Their generosity is creating an immediate impact on our student-athletes and will benefit future members of the Hilltopper Tennis Teams.”
A key supporter of the project, Betsy Nagelson McCormack, was one of the most accomplished American tennis players of her era. In 1972, a 15-year-old Betsy Nagelsen traveled to Charleston, West Virginia to compete in the Girls’ 16 National Clay Court Championships. The most notable match of the tournament was a highly anticipated showdown between Nagelsen and Jeanne Evert (the younger sister of tennis legend Chris Evert). The tournament and their match gained national prominence and were featured in a Sports Illustrated article titled “A Sweet 16 Dance at Charleston,” which highlighted Nagelsen and Evert as the two rising young superstars of American tennis. Nagelsen would go on to become the world’s top-ranked junior player the very next year in 1973.
Betsy Nagelsen enjoyed a 21-year career on the WTA Tour, capturing two Australian Open doubles championships (1978 and 1980), reaching the singles final of the 1978 Australian Open, and earning a career-high world ranking of No. 23 in singles and No. 11 in doubles.
Following her retirement from professional tennis in 1996, she worked as a television commentator for ABC, ESPN, and Australia’s Nine Network, remained active in tennis leadership and philanthropy, and has supported numerous initiatives that expand opportunities for young people through sport and education.
After marrying Mark McCormack, founder of IMG, one of the world’s leading sports management companies, the couple became known for supporting tennis development and higher education. Their philanthropy included the creation of the tennis center at the College of William & Mary, which houses the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s Hall of Fame.
McCormack’s gift was provided through the BE IN McCormack Foundation, a charitable organization supporting youth development, education, athletics, and community-based programs.
The refurbished courts provide an improved playing surface for student-athletes, enhance the experience for visiting teams and spectators, and strengthen the University’s ability to host competitions and community events.
