OLIVER KIMOKEO | sports editor

The only Cougar Athletics squad to make an appearance in the championship game of their respective sport for the past five seasons is men’s tennis—they have been runner-ups four out of those five years and won the NAIA title in 2005.

Considering this pedigree of accomplishment, men’s tennis as well as women’s tennis has flown underneath the radar on the APU campus. They have not garnered the attention because they are viewed as a third-tier team on the ladder of campus athletics prestige.

Football, basketball, and baseball are the first-tier teams. Everyone on campus is aware of their games and they have been accustomed to huge crowds interwoven with Blackout pandemonium. Within this tier, students who do not consistency follow the Cougars sports scene suddenly become crazy freaks when Biola comes to play.

Track, soccer, softball, and volleyball are the second-tier teams. These sports have their ardent followers who fall in between the comfortable niches but they lack the attention-getting aura of the first-tier teams. They have contributed valuable points to the Director’s Cup but there is an abundance of seats available for every contest.

Cross country and tennis are the third-tier teams. These teams earn championships yet they do not earn a second thought from the APU community. Cross country has a valid excuse to be third-tier; they do not hold a single race on campus for the whole season. Tennis does consider this area their home—even though they play at neighboring Citrus College.

While it is true that their current situation on the Citrus College Tennis Courts is not the most ideal, it is by no means dire. Since Citrus College does not compete in tennis, the Cougars do not have to share the courts with another competitive team. With that said, the courts do have the community recreational vibe where any person could step on the courts without having to pass through any security safeguards.

Even though the tennis team does not play officially on the APU campus, their games are still worthy of attendance. In the first men’s/women’s tennis doubleheader of the 2008 season, approximately 25 people showed up to watch the matches in the stands.

Due to the fact that APU Athletics has a profusion of excellence within all their teams, some sports are put on the backburner of the spotlight. Tennis falls in that category of neglected fan support.

Part of my duty as a journalist covering APU sports is to act as an advocate for those teams who are not receiving their fair due of recognition on campus. Tennis is one of those teams. They are consistent winners, hard workers, and amazing athletes with solid character. Rest assured that tennis is not a bore; our players bring the heat and then some.

It will be great to see a tennis match designated as the “Blackout Game of the Week” later this season and to observe a cheering section who will give the tennis athletes a much needed home-court advantage in a big match..