Beerman Tennis Complex
1987
In 1987, the campus tennis courts located in the center of campus were officially named the Beerman Tennis Complex. The complex was named for Dave Beerman, who had helped to popularize the sport of tennis in the Lakeland area. Originally, the renovations and upgrades were to take place during the summer of 1987; however, the timetable was moved forward, and construction was completed by January 1987 in time for the Women's Tennis season. As part of the renovation, three old tennis courts were resurfaced, and two additional courts were added for a total of five courts. Lighting was also improved for all of the courts. By 2012, the complex had been torn down to make way for a new green space common area for students to be called Mr. George's Green after Publix founder . A new tennis complex was built to the northeast of campus and was named in honor of benefactor Wynee Warden in 2012.
Dave Beerman grew up in Lakeland and played tennis at Lakeland High school. He continued to play tennis at Samford University in Alabama, losing only one match his whole college career. After graduating, he was offered a job at Lakeland Parks and Recreation as Director of Tennis for the city of Lakeland. There he taught lessons, hosted events, sold equipment, and helped shuttle kids to tournaments. Over 70 of his students went on to play tennis at the college level. Beerman helped found the Polk County Tennis Association. In 2005 he was inducted into the Florida Tennis Hall of Fame. In 1987 the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ tennis complex was named after him.
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