Tennis Program - Old Dominion University

Welcome LetterWhy Monarchs?When Jim Jarrett arrived on the campus of Old Dominion University in the fall of 1967as a Health and Physical Education professor, he had little idea that his tenure wouldbe counted in decades. During that time span, he has led the program from a wellrespected NCAA Division II member to a nationally respected Division I power that hascaptured 25 national championships.Jarrett began his 36th year as athletic director in 2006, taking over the reigns in 1970when Bud Metheny stepped down from that position. As one of the youngestathletic directors in the nation at that time, Jarrett quickly beganto make a name for himself and ODU. He committed early on toa philosophy of “selective excellence,” whereby the department“selected” its competitive sports and committeditself financially, academically and competitively to thesports it felt the University could best excel.In 1974, Jarrett became the first athletic directorin the state of Virginia to award grant-in-aids towomen student-athletes. It was a bold moveat the time for a young athletic director andequally young University, but one that paidgreat dividends. Just five years later, in1979, the Lady Monarchs won the first of threenational championships in women’s basketball,and led the nation in attendance.Under his leadership, the department’s athleticvenues have tripled and are consideredstate of the art facilities. They include theconstruction of the Bud Metheny BaseballComplex, the Sailing Center, the AthleticAdministration Building and the 8,500 seatConstant Convocation Center. Currrently, Jarrettis overseeing construction of the ODU SoccerBuilding, an indoor tennis facility and renovations tothe Athletic Administration Building, which include anew weight room, training room and academic advisingarea.For all his efforts, Jarrett’s has been honored many times by nationaland local groups. Most recently, Jarrett was given Lifetime Achievementawards from NACDA and VaSID. In 2003, he was named the Southeast RegionalAthletic Director of the Year by NACDA. Other awards he’s received include theCollegiate Director’s Award from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, andthe Norfolk Sports Club Man of the Year. He served as a member of the NCAA Women’sBasketball Committee and is a past president of the Colonial Athletic Association andthe Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.Many people have wondered how theOld Dominion University athletic teamscame to be officially knows as theMonarchs.For many years, the athletic teams of theNorfolk division of the College of William& Mary (as Old Dominion was formerlycalled) were known as the Braves. Thiswas a derivation of the William & Marynickname of Indians. As Old Dominionachieved its own four-year status andsaw its enrollment surpass that of itsWilliamsburg neighbor, it was no longersuitable or acceptable to have its teamscalled the Braves.The name Monarchs evokes much ofthe early history of the Commonwealthof Virginia and of Old Dominion’s motherinstitution, the College of William &Mary. The nickname “Old Dominion”was first coined to the Virginia colonyby King Charles II after Virginia’s loyaltyto the crown during the English CivilWar. Furthermore, William III and MaryII, whose patronage helped found theCollege of William & Mary in Virginia in1963, ruled England at the invitation ofParliament as “joint monarchs.”The Monarch used by Old Dominionhas a royal crown on a lion’s head, representingan historic past and a strongfuture.An avid golfer and tennis player, Jarrett and his wife Sugie reside in Norfolk.