Little Caesars Tennessee State Open set for July 8-12

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Friday, July 01, 2005

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (July 1, 2005) - The Little Caesars Tennessee State Open Junior Tennis Championships hosted by East Tennessee State University will be held July 8-12 at both the Liberty Bell Tennis Complex and the ETSU Tennis Center.

The state of Tennessee has two major junior championships, the Tennessee State Closed in June and the Tennessee State Open in July, meaning the event in Johnson City is one of only two opportunities for tennis fans to see some highly-talented young players. Making the Tennessee State Open even more appealing is the fact that strong players from other states as well as other countries will take part in the event.

"This tournament and what it does for ETSU tennis means a great deal to me personally," said ETSU head men's tennis coach Yaser Zaatini, who as a player at ETSU received the first Little Caesar's scholarship. "This event raises funds that allow our team to compete at a much higher level of competition during the collegiate season, and having the tournament become a state open also allows the surrounding area players to get a firsthand look at ETSU and what we have to offer in our tennis program."

The event itself has grown beyond expectations.

"This tournament and the relationship between East Tennessee State and Little Caesars is special," said ETSU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dave Mullins, who initially began this event during his time as tennis coach for the Bucs. "To have a premier junior event as part of this partnership is even more exciting. It's grown into something greater than we could have ever imagined."