Jan. 25, 2010

DID YOU KNOW? The men's tennis program at North Carolina Central University has won 10 conference championships. Only the Eagles football program has captured as many league titles as men's tennis.

Under the direction of Dr. James W. Younge, who coached the Eagles from 1949 to 1975, NCCU recorded nine conference crowns, including five in the CIAA and four in the MEAC. The Eagles earned three straight CIAA titles from 1957-59, followed by back-to-back CIAA championships in 1964 and 1965. Younge's squads dominated the MEAC with four consecutive league titles from 1972-75.

During Younge's tenure, the Eagles tennis program also captured the 1963 NCAA Eastern Regional Tournament championship and NAIA District titles in 1970 and 1971.

The Eagles captured their 10th men's tennis conference championship in 1998, as second-year coach David Nass guided the team to the program's sixth CIAA crown.

As part of North Carolina Central University's Centennial celebration, the NCCU Department of Athletics will post sports history facts from the institution's first 100 years to its official web site, www.NCCUEaglePride.com, every week during the year-long observance.