From Past to Present

A Passion for Tennis Leads to a Vision for the Future

Emporia State University’s Kossover Family Tennis Complex officially opened its doors on October 2, 2021, but the story of this facility began much earlier, with the alumni whose vision made the historic building possible. The complex was first envisioned over five years ago at an ESU tennis reunion. Emporia State tennis alumni Greg Kossover (BSB 85-Accounting) and Ken Hush (BSB 82-Business Administration/Marketing) saw an opportunity to serve student-athletes, the university and the Emporia community. As students, Kossover and Hush had seen firsthand the life-changing benefits of competition and teamwork. As dedicated supporters of ESU, their appreciation for the opportunities they experienced as students became the foundation on which the new state-of-the-art complex was built. With the addition of the all-season tennis facility to the ESU campus, student-athletes now have access to a dedicated space where they can hone their skills yearround. The Kossover Family Tennis Complex includes four outdoor courts, a patio, two championship-quality indoor courts, a viewing deck, a lounge for student-athletes, student locker rooms and a coach’s office. Speaking at the ribbon-cutting in October, freshman tennis player Micaela McSpadden shared her thoughts about the new facility and its impact. “It is a rarity to have such a high-quality facility, such as the Kossover Family Tennis Complex, on a college campus…As a freshman coming in, I couldn’t be luckier in my timing to attend Emporia State. The addition of the new facility is huge. It was an extremely influential element in my choice to come here, and I know that my fellow ‘first-years’ feel the same.”

Located along Merchant Street just north of Visser Hall, this facility is the first of its kind in the MIAA. The complex more than doubles the area of the existing tennis courts on campus and is a reminder of what’s possible when it comes to providing resources for our students through donor support. McSpadden says it means a lot to her and her teammates. “The tennis team and I are so appreciative to have such generous donors to rejuvenate our tennis program. I promise that the tennis team, with myself included, will continue to work extremely hard to get the most out of this new facility. I’m so excited to see what Emporia State tennis has to come in the upcoming seasons, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the best is yet to come.”

At the ribbon-cutting event, Greg Kossover agreed with McSpadden’s sentiment and shared some words of wisdom with the team. “As tennis players, hard work, thoughtful preparation and love of competition are how we improve and what we must commit to. With that commitment, and as you learn how to win, you and Coach Stafford will do big, big things together. In time, it will lead to championships. You will take that experience and knowledge into your future, and you will have the lifelong competitive edge of being a college athlete.” For more information about the Kossover Family Tennis Complex, visit esuhornets.com.

The tennis team and I are so appreciative to have such generous donors to rejuvenate our tennis program. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the best is yet to come.” The ESU women’s soccer team is proof of what is possible when you give it your all.

A Season of Champions

How Determination and Perseverance Rebuilt a Team

It is remarkable the transformation that can take place in 12 years. The ESU women’s soccer team is proof of what is possible when you give it your all. This past fall, the team made headlines, ranking fifth in the NCAA Division II coaches' poll, the highest in school history. But their storied season, ending in an NCAA Division II Championship Tournament, did not happen overnight. The transformative season comes after more than a decade of rebuilding. In 2010, the Hornets finished their season at just 1-11-6, playing many of their home games at the high school due to flooding on their fields. By 2013, the new coach, Bryan Sailer, had brought a winning season to ESU, and in 2018, they made their first appearance in an NCAA tournament.

Hornet Nation is incredibly proud of these athletes and all they have achieved. Mackenzie Dimarco has tied the MIAA record for most goals made in a single season. Within the league, Ashlyn Lakin has become well known for her “flip” throw-ins and had six of her seven assists on these acrobatic plays. Ashlyn’s achievements are even more noteworthy considering she missed the first two games of the season when she was doing her clinical rotation for the nursing program. But, their individual success is nothing compared to their success as a team.

These student-athletes are working hard both on and off the pitch. The team overall was ranked fourth in the nation for community service hours last year. In addition, 18 out of 23 players earned Academic All-MIAA honors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. They finished their season with a 19-3-1 overall record and 11-2 conference record.

On the field and in the classroom, these Hornets have earned a place in ESU history.