CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Arguably the top combined junior college tennis program in the state of Mississippi over the past decade, Jones College received some good news this week.
The tennis program has been awarded a 2026 NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant from the NJCAA Foundation, one of 15, worth $2,000 to help with maintaining the level of success under 10th-year head coach
Brooks Buffington.
The NJCAA provides thousands of student-athletes across the country with access to higher education through competition in athletics. For many students, participation in sports becomes the bridge to earning a college degree, receiving financial assistance and developing life skills that extend far beyond the playing field or court.
"We appreciate the NJCAA for allowing us to receive the grant for tennis and will put the money to good use," athletic director Chris Robinson said. "This opens up so many avenues for our tennis program to take our program even further than it has already gone."
The women's program has posted three consecutive undefeated seasons and just captured the state's and program's first-ever NJCAA Division II National Title on May 7 in Sumter, South Carolina.
The men's program went 16-2, won its fifth consecutive MACCC Championship in April and went on to finish fourth at the national tournament out of 18 teams.
"The NJCAA Foundation is excited to further support the growth of NJCAA member colleges and the sport programs they offer through the NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant," Andrew Givens, NJCAA Foundation Executive Director said. "The ability to provide this funding is a testament to the importance and growth of two-year collegiate athletics. The NJCAA Foundation looks forward to this initiative's impact as NJCAA member colleges continue to create opportunities for student-athletes across the country."
About NJCAA Foundation
The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service.
