Howard interim president calls Maryland tennis imagery ‘rooted in hatred and racial violence’

The University of Maryland suspended its club tennis program indefinitely after racist images were distributed in materials for a weekend tournament.

Toni Rachal was reading through tournament materials when she found it.

The president of Howard University’s club tennis team told WUSA9 she came across a graphic in the invitational documents that appeared to depict two Ku Klux Klan hoods. She wrote directly to the University of Maryland and demanded immediate action.

The Athletic reported that Maryland suspended its club tennis program indefinitely, with university spokesman Jordan Dunklee saying the school “is horrified and expresses its regret and sincere apology for the harm that this has caused.”

According to the university, members of the club tennis student organization distributed the racist material by email to other club teams in the region. Staff referred the matter to the University of Maryland Police Department and opened an investigation through the Office of Student Conduct, while noting the incident “may have directly involved only a few student team members.”

The Terrapins forfeited their matches. The two-day tournament proceeded without them.

Maryland said team leaders met with other captains to take responsibility and apologize in person, and sent written apologies to every invited program. Brent Flynn, the school’s director of recreation and wellness, emailed counterparts and club presidents at participating schools. Staff also provided on-site support to visiting teams.

Howard interim president Wayne A. I. Frederick addressed the incident in a statement obtained by the outlet, calling the imagery “deeply offensive and racist” while crediting Maryland for moving quickly.

“Let me be unequivocal: There is no place for racism, intimidation, or imagery rooted in hatred and racial violence in collegiate athletics, on our campuses, or anywhere in our society,” Frederick said. He noted the graphic “evoked a painful history of racial terror and exclusion” and argued it has no business in an environment built around learning and mutual respect.

His closing point carried the sharpest edge. Frederick said Howard has long stood as a beacon of opportunity and dignity in the face of discrimination, and that its students “should never have to question whether they will be treated with dignity and respect when representing our University.”

The investigation remains open, and the University of Maryland has not indicated when its suspended tennis program might resume.