CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – The Big South Conference announced today the additions of Bryant University and New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) as associate members in the sport of tennis, effective with the 2025-26 season.  Bryant's men's program joins the conference, while NJIT will join in both women's and men's tennis.  The additions increase the Big South's tennis sponsorship to six women's and men's participants, allowing the conference to retain its automatic qualification into the NCAA Championships in both sports.
 
"We are immensely excited to welcome three highly competitive tennis programs to the Big South Conference while continuing to provide optimal student-athlete experiences in the sports of Men's and Women's Tennis," stated Big South Conference Commissioner Sherika A. Montgomery.  "With the recent addition of a Fall Individual Championship and championship expansion opportunities, our membership has remained committed to supporting the sport of tennis.  We look forward to welcoming the tennis student-athletes from Bryant University and NJIT."
 
Bryant competed in the Southland this past year, and the Bulldogs went 11-10 overall and was the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament.  Four student-athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District® Team.  The Bulldogs were 12-7 in 2024 as an Independent.

NJIT also compete in the Southland the in men's and women's tennis. The women's program posted a 13-6 overall record in 2025 (9-0 at home) and finished the year ranked No. 7 in the Northeast Region.  The Highlanders reached the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals for the second-straight year, while their 13 overall victories marked the fourth consecutive season of double-digit wins for a total of 50 wins in that span.  NJIT's top doubles tandem also earned a final regional ranking of No. 10 for this past season.
 
NJIT's men's squad finished 18-4 during the 2025 regular-season and was the Runner-Up at the Southland Conference Tournament.  The Highlanders appeared in the ITA Top 75 rankings during the campaign, and had four players named All-Conference this past season.  NJIT experienced the program's most successful season in 2023-24, as the Highlanders won the Southland Conference title and berth to the NCAA Tournament.  The team garnered its second-ever ITA Top 75 national ranking that season, reaching as high as No. 57.
 
"We are very excited that our men's tennis program will call the Big South Conference home" added Bryant Vice President of Athletics & Recreation Bill Smith.  "We have had a great relationship with the Big South in the past and we are thrilled for our tennis program to be part of such a strong conference and we look forward to them competing for championships!"

"We are very excited for our men's and women's tennis teams to be joining the Big South Conference," said NJIT Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics Lenny Kaplan.  "Our tennis student- athletes deserve a conference in which to compete.  I am glad to have been able to connect with Commissioner Montgomery early on in our search for a new home, and we are excited to compete for a Big South Conference tennis championship this upcoming year. "
 
The Big South's tennis lineup starting in 2025-26 will be as follows: Women's (6) – Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Longwood, NJIT, Presbyterian and UNC Asheville; Men's (6) – Bryant, Gardner-Webb, Longwood, NJIT, Presbyterian and UNC Asheville.