VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton University Tennis will host the Carousel Classic for the second year in a row this weekend. The inclusive, community-themed event will feature multiple teams and formats and the unique festival extends the Bearcats' tradition of service and unity through the power of tennis.
 
The Carousel Classic takes place Sept. 11–13 at Recreation Park in Binghamton, showcasing the breadth of tennis in the Binghamton community. The three-day event will feature collegiate Division I competition, college club tennis, high school tennis, and this year, a new adaptive tennis clinic and tournament.
 
Friday's matches will begin at 9 a.m. for both Division I and Collegiate Wheelchair, then a youth clinic for Horace Mann students from 11-12 with matches resuming at noon and expected to wrap up around 5 p.m.  Saturday the adaptive clinic kicks things off at 9 a.m. with matches starting around 10:30 a.m. and running until about 5 p.m.  Sunday's matches starting at about 9 a.m. and running through the afternoon with Collegiate Club matches starting at noon.
 
One of the most exciting additions to this year's Carousel Classic is the introduction of adaptive tennis programming, designed to create opportunities for athletes with disabilities to experience the sport in a welcoming, competitive, and supportive environment.
 
Wheelchair programs from University of Michigan, University of Houston and Fresno State will be participating (men's and women's) along with Division I Men's programs from Binghamton, Buffalo and Bucknell with women's teams from Binghamton, Buffalo and Colgate. 
 
"We are proud to help this event grow and take a big step forward this year," men's head coach Nick Zieziula stated. "Across all of college sports, this weekend is going to be pretty unique, highlighting the best of what sports has to offer, bringing people together and creating community. Teams will be competing hard against each other but also working together to put on some clinics to bring tennis to youth who maybe haven't had the chance to try it. On the men's side, this is a great opportunity for us to get some early season matches with two programs at the top of their respective conferences.
 
Producing an event of this scope requires strong community support. Tennis Charities of Binghamton is currently seeking corporate sponsors and community partners to help fund event-wide expenses as well as youth and community programming.
 
"We welcome all the schools that will be participating in the Carousel Classic this year," women's head coach Paul Caceres said. "We are looking forward to working with the students from Horace Mann Elementary school again this year for the youth clinic, and are also excited about the new adaptive programming.  This will be the first tournament for us this fall on the women's side, and it will be a great way to start the season with high level competition. 
 
The women's team introduces four new players that will join returners such as Apara Khandare, Angel Walia, and Samantha Jaros. The Bearcats begin a new season with their first start at the Carousel Classic.
 
The men's squad is coming in after placing second in the NEC Tournament a season ago. Returning players such as Andre Ajed, Filipe Costa, and Harry Liao, along with four new players coming in should create some great matches during the Carousel Classic.