In dire straits to keep the Yuba College tennis program alive for Yuba Athletes, Coach Josh Prager funded this season’s tennis program from his own pockets.
Coach Prager explained, “Each season requires $15,000 for coaches’ pay, assistant coaches’ pay, van rentals, balls, entry fees and hotels.”
In 2001, due to budget cuts, Yuba College decided to axe the tennis program. With the tennis program left-for-dead, the community supported the program in 2001 and 2002.
Coach Prager wrote, “We successfully raised the $15,000 through fundraisers at the Yuba City Racquet Club. The Yuba City Racquet Club also has given use of the courts to the program without charging the college.”
“This year, 2004, was supposed to be the last year that we were to be without funding from the college,” continued Prager. “In order to keep the program alive until the college picked up the funding again, my wife and I decided to fund the team. This was a $13,000 investment so that the program could stay alive.”
This season the tennis program featured only a men’s team. However, coach Prager explained, “Next year we will be back with two programs if the college elects to fund us again.”
Coach Prager wrote, “It has been a three-year struggle to keep this team alive. We have put a lot of work and personal sacrifice to keep the program alive. We just want some help from the college now. It would be a real shame if they decided to cut the (tennis) program”
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