New Facility To Be Named Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center

Old Dominion’s new tennis facility will be named the Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center, thanks to the generous contributions of $500,000 each from local residents Grey Folkes and Ricky Stevens.

The state-of-the-art complex, currently under construction, will be one of the top collegiate tennis facilities in the country. It is slated to open this spring.

The center is being built between the soccer stadium and the former site of the Field House. It will consist of eight climate-controlled indoor hard courts, two elevated mezzanines for viewing and socials, a pro shop, locker rooms, lounge and conference room.

“The Folkes-Stevens Indoor Tennis Center will provide outstanding support for our tennis program and the tennis community of Hampton Roads,” said athletic director Jim Jarrett, who made the announcement. “I appreciate very much this generous contribution from Grey and Ricky, along with several other donors who are making it possible for us to have one of the finest tennis facilities in the nation.”

Folkes, who took over the civil engineering firm of Hassell & Folkes PC in 1986, started playing tennis when he was given a membership to the Virginia Beach Racket Club as a college graduation present. He has been active in the tennis community both as a player and sponsor of tournaments, pro-am events and USTA league tennis.

In 1997 he won the Norfolk Yacht member/guest tournament with former Monarch tennis standout Miguel Rosa ’96. Folkes, a 1977 Clemson graduate, is married to Amy Witt Folkes, who graduated from Old Dominion in 1998 with a business degree.

Stevens is the founder of RB Stevens Con- struction Co., which he has directed for more than 30 years. He was the captain of a USTA national championship team in 2003 and earned individual state, sectional and national rankings. In 2006 he won the Princess Anne Country Club member/guest tournament with former Monarch Alex Cancado ’00.

“I have known Grey and Ricky over 20 years and we are honored to have their names on our indoor tennis facility,” said Darryl Cummings, ODU’s tennis director. “Their gift of $1 million will allow our program to continue to compete at a national level.”

Added Jarrett, “The sport of tennis will be significantly enhanced with the completion of our facility and we look forward to hosting regional and national events in the center.”