DU Trustees and Alumni Donate $2 Million for Denver Tennis Park
The University of Denver Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams have a new home at the Denver Tennis Park, a new $14 million public indoor/outdoor tennis facility, built in part thanks to two 1-million dollar gifts from Catherine “Cappy” (BFA ’76, MBA ’80) and Robert Shopneck (MA ’73, JD ’76), and Jane Hamilton and their families. The facility is the result of a groundbreaking public-private collaboration between the Denver Tennis Park, Inc. a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving Denver’s youth, the University of Denver and Denver Public Schools. In addition to serving DU’s NCAA Division 1 tennis programs, the facility is managed and operated by the Denver Tennis Park for the benefit of DPS students and the greater Denver community.
Cappy Shopneck, an avid tennis player, is in the DU Tennis Hall of Fame. She has been a trustee since 2006. Cappy, Jane and their families created this cornerstone gift with the intention of using athletics to enhance the community and to impact young lives.
Hamilton served the University as a member of the Board of Trustees until 2015, when she retired after nearly 40 years. She received an honorary doctor of higher education in 2016. She holds the distinction of Honorary Life Trustee and is a parent and grandparent of DU alumni. She and her late husband, Fred, have made longstanding, transformational philanthropic investments in the University of Denver and at numerous cultural and educational institutions across Denver and the United States.
“Tennis for me has been both an enjoyable activity and a great teacher,” says Shopneck. “Beyond fitness and sportsmanship, it taught me mental focus, setting and achieving goals, working hard, and learning from mentors and teammates, all things that have made me successful in later life. The Denver Tennis Park is a unique opportunity for me and my family to share and strengthen these qualities in our community, expand our support of youth in Denver, and advance the University of Denver. I’m pleased to be among the leaders in this visionary endeavor.”
“Tennis has been an important sport for my entire family. We’ve enjoyed playing as a family over the years and have so many fond memories from the court. We are proud to support this initiative to encourage and provide access to youth in our community as well as for DU athletics.” Hamilton says.
The Denver Tennis Park is located on the east side of I-25 at Franklin Street near DPS’ All City Stadium. The facility is managed and operated by the Denver Tennis Park, Inc., an independent 501(c)3 under a ground lease from Denver Public Schools. The Denver Tennis Park is the culmination of a four-year initiative supported by several local philanthropic foundations, the University of Denver and Denver Public Schools. The DTP is the official home court for the University of Denver’s tennis program and is also Denver’s only year-round tennis facility devoted to youth from beginner to advanced skill level.
