Jan 12, 2010 11:48:02 PM

Edgewood will reinstate men's tennis as a varsity sport during the 2010-11 academic year, 10 years after dropping the sport.

The school cited a lack of interest when it discontinued the sport following the 2000 season, but Athletics Director Al Brisack said he believes the time now is right to add what will become Edgewood's 17^th varsity sport.

"We have such a strong history in women's tennis, it seems only natural that we can extend that tradition into men's tennis," he said. "There are so many quality players and quality high school programs in Wisconsin and our neighboring states, that we are confident we can build a competitive program quickly."

Men's tennis is the first new sport added at the school since men's and women's track and field debuted in 2006.

Edgewood enjoyed success while sponsoring tennis for men from 1988 to 2000. The Eagles won seven individual singles titles and two doubles titles in the Lake Michigan Conference, and posted a second-place team finish in 1996.

Edgewood now competes in the Northern Athletic Conference, which includes members of the merged Lake Michigan and Northern Illinois-Iowa Conferences, and becomes the 10^th NAC member to sponsor the sport.