Atlanta, Ga. (Oct. 2, 2026) – Virginia State University men's tennis is set to begin a new chapter as the Trojans join the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) as an affiliate member. 

"We are thrilled to announce that Virginia State University's men's tennis team will join the SIAC as an affiliate member for the 2026-27 academic year," said SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman, Ed.D. "As one of the premier athletic conferences, the SIAC provides a unique blend of deep-rooted tradition, high-level competition and increased visibility for student-athletes." 

Virginia State enters the upcoming season with four returning student-athletes who will provide valuable experience as the Trojans transition into their new conference home. The returning group will look to use their previous experience to help establish the identity of the program and set the tone for the season ahead. 

"This is a great day for VSU Athletics," said Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tiffani-Dawn B. Sykes '01. "When I arrived at Virginia State just over a year ago, one of my priorities was ensuring that every one of our student-athletes had the opportunity to compete for championships through conference affiliation or national association membership. At that time, several of our programs competed as independents. With men's tennis joining the SIAC, we've now accomplished that goal. Every VSU student-athlete now has a clear path to compete for conference or national championships. 

"I believe this strengthens the overall student-athlete experience, provides meaningful opportunities for competitive success, and supports our efforts to recruit and retain outstanding student-athletes. I also want to thank Commissioner Anthony Holloman and the SIAC for welcoming Virginia State into the conference as an affiliate member in men's tennis. We appreciate their confidence in our program and look forward to competing against the outstanding institutions that make up the SIAC." 

With the addition of men's tennis, all Virginia State student-athletes now compete within a conference or national association, providing each program with a pathway toward championship competition. 

The Virginia State men's tennis program will make its SIAC debut at the 2026 SIAC Men's and Women's Tennis Fall Open, scheduled for Oct. 28-30 at the South Fulton Tennis Center in South Fulton, Georgia.