University of Maryland suspends club tennis team over racist imagery

The University of Maryland has indefinitely suspended its club tennis team following the discovery of Ku Klux Klan imagery in tournament materials. The graphic, which targeted Black and African American individuals, was included in a Google document containing schedules and campus maps sent to various regional tennis clubs ahead of a fall invitational at the College Park campus.

Toni Rachal, president of the Howard University tennis club, reported the discovery after reviewing the documents. Rachal stated that her intention was to ensure accountability and protect student-athletes from encountering imagery associated with racial hatred and intimidation.

University of Maryland Recreation and Wellness (RecWell) official Brent Flynn described the imagery as ‘awful and unacceptable’ and issued an apology to participating clubs. The university has referred the matter to the University of Maryland Police Department and the Office of Student Conduct for further investigation.