On Oct. 22, 2025, the College hosted a dedication ceremony to honor Lewis “Punch” Pollard, who provided the lead gift toward the renovated facility that now bears his name: the Pollard Tennis Center. The evening marked the culmination of three years of upgrades and expansion while celebrating a program that has consistently performed at the highest level of NCAA Division II athletics.
“This gift was about supporting young people and giving them the resources to succeed,” Pollard said. “Athletics teaches discipline, resilience and leadership in ways that last a lifetime. Flagler College has built something truly special with its tennis program, and I wanted to contribute to a facility that reflects and elevates that merit.”
The Center stands as a bold investment in quality training and the continued rise of Flagler athletics. Arriving on the heels of a six-court resurfacing and the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting, the latest expansion added coaches’ offices, modern locker rooms, and study spaces, dramatically enhancing the student-athlete experience and bringing new life to a complex that had not undergone significant renovation since the 1980s.
“We have a facility that matches the caliber of its players,” said Jud Damon, Director of Athletics. “This Center sends a powerful message to prospective students, recruits, alumni and friends about who we are and where we are headed. We are deeply grateful to Punch and our community of donors for their vision and generosity in helping make this possible.”
Flagler tennis enters this new era with a championship legacy already firmly established. The program won seven national titles — five on the women’s side and two on the men’s side — during its time competing at the NAIA level. Since transitioning to NCAA Division II and the Peach Belt Conference, the Saints have captured seven regular-season league titles and four conference tournament championships. The Flagler women have earned 13 NCAA Division II tournament appearances, advancing to the Elite Eight once and to the Final Four twice, while the men have made 11 tournament appearances, with one trip to the Elite Eight, one to the Final Four, and two appearances in the Finals. Their most recent Finals appearance in 2026 resulted in the Saints winning the College’s first NCAA Division II National Championship.
For recruits stepping onto campus, the message is immediate and unmistakable: Flagler tennis is a premier program that prioritizes its people. Beyond providing an outstanding home venue for competition, the Pollard Tennis Center provides state-of-the-art training resources and an environment where student-athletes can build camaraderie while enjoying a first-class collegiate experience.
“This facility changes everything for us,” said head women’s tennis coach, Rodrigo Puebla. “Top-tier amenities are essential to attracting talent; when recruits visit campus now and see the Center, they’ll immediately understand the level of commitment Flagler College has to its student-athletes. It positions us to continue building championship-worthy teams for years to come.”
Head men’s coach, Jonas Piibor, reinforced this reaction: “The new locker rooms and coaches’ offices are the icing on the cake,” he said. “We are truly grateful for the strong support from Flagler College, our fans and our donors.”
As the next generations of Saints step onto the courts at the Pollard Tennis Center, they do so within a standard of excellence forged through decades of hard work and community belief. More than a facility, the Center reflects the power of Flagler College’s culture of philanthropy, where transformational generosity expands opportunity, elevates performance, and constantly redefines what is possible.
For Flagler tennis, the future has never looked brighter.
