Members of the Belmont Abbey College community – including Dr. Bill Thierfelder, president, faculty, supporters and alumni – break ground on the center. (Photos provided by Belmont Abbey College)BELMONT — Belmont Abbey College broke ground April 23 on a new tennis center and pavilion in memory of longtime faculty member and coach Michael “Mike” Reidy.
The groundbreaking ceremony was part of the college’s weekend homecoming events and a testament to Coach Reidy’s tireless dedication to the Abbey.
Reidy came to Belmont Abbey College in 1969 and served as the men’s tennis coach for 31 years. During his tenure, he led his teams to six conference titles and seven national tournament appearances, including an NCAA Division II Sweet 16 appearance in 2001.
He earned conference Coach of the Year four times on the men’s side and in 1999 when he was in the middle of his tenure leading the women’s program. That same year, the Crusaders captured the Carolina-Virginia Athletic Conference women’s tennis championship.
The legacy of Belmont Abbey’s successful tennis programs sits on Reidy’s shoulders, college leaders said.
“Mike Reidy is one of the most dedicated, charismatic, and beloved leaders in the long and illustrious history of Belmont Abbey College,” said Stephen Miss, vice president and director of athletics. “Best exemplified by the multiple generations of students and colleagues, of whom I am blessed to count myself as one, fortunate enough to have been formed, developed, mentored, taught and coached by him – and his wonderful wife Bonnie – Coach Mike Reidy’s legacy lives on.”
Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari shares a blessing at the groundbreaking for the Reidy Tennis Center.“Coach Reidy’s most enduring legacy comes from his role as a mentor and teacher for innumerable players, students, and friends. He taught his players that academics were first and that if you did not learn sportsmanship, you were not on his team. Countless alumni refer to him as a second father and acknowledge that they owe much of their success, personally and professionally, to Coach,” said Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari.
The Mike and Bonnie Reidy Tennis Center began in 2012 with construction of seven tennis courts. Four more courts were completed in 2015 and 2017.
Today, based on fundraising, the college is planning for the final phase of the project to build the Reidy Tennis Pavilion – a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility with locker and shower rooms, coaches offices, team meeting rooms, gathering spaces, outdoor restrooms, and outdoor fan seating.
For information about how to donate to the project, go online to www.fundraising.idonate.com/belmont-abbey-college/tennis.
— Belmont Abbey College
