NEW HAVEN, Conn. - In the Fall of 2015, David Swensen '80 Ph.D. and Meghan McMahon '87, along with the Yale Tennis Association, started the Feed the Bulldogs Campaign. The stated fundraising goal was $7M, which, combined with existing program endowments, would be transformational to the men's and women's tennis programs. Thanks to the outstanding generosity of alumni and friends of the program, the goal has been achieved.
 
"David and I were thrilled to be part of the Feed the Tennis Bulldogs campaign and to help generate support for our beloved Yale tennis program," said McMahon, who served as the Yale women's tennis coach from 1994-2001. "The generous response from alumni, friends and family of Yale Tennis was spectacular, and will benefit the Yale tennis teams in perpetuity."
 
Over the last five years, $7 million was raised to benefit the programs in their pursuit of excellence and in providing the student-athletes with an outstanding experience during their time at Yale.
 
"This support is truly transformational for our Yale tennis programs. We are grateful for David and Meghan for their love and passion for our tennis teams. We would like to especially thank Rob Pohly '94, Donald Dell '60, Cam Ragen '90, and the Yale Tennis Association members for getting this campaign to the finish line," said Victoria M. "Vicky" Chun, Thomas A. Beckett Director of Athletics. 
 
Added Chris Drake, the Cary Leeds Head Coach for men's tennis, and Rachel Kahan, the Swensen-McMahon Head Coach for women's tennis, "The Feed the Bulldogs campaign resources are transformational for our programs.  The endowment ensures security for our programs and financial resources that are critical to our ability to provide a world-class experience for our student-athletes. As a result, we can provide challenging, competitive opportunities across the country, technology to help our student-athletes improve and support to grow as people and leaders throughout their time at Yale. We speak for all our student-athletes and staff, current and future, when we say that we are forever grateful for the generosity of all the alums and association members that came together to make this happen."
 
Both programs finished strong after the Fall and Spring seasons. The women were No. 58 in the final ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings after posting a 14-9 overall record, including victories over No. 42 Princeton and No. 43 Florida International. The men won 10 matches in the spring, featured Ivy League Rookie of the Year Theo Dean '24, and graduated only one senior.