Men's Tennis | 9/3/2026 7:05:00 PM
September 3, 2026-The Emporia State men's tennis team will get the fall season started this weekend as they play host to the George Milton Chicken Dinner Classic this weekend at the Kossover Family Tennis Center.
This is the third consecutive year for the George Milton Chicken Dinner Tournament after taking a break for several years. This year Emporia State will be joined by Bethel College, Maharishi International University, and the University of Saint Mary for the two day tournament. All matches are scheduled to be streamed on the MIAA Network.
This year the first wave of matches will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and play is expected to last until 6:00 p.m. at the Kossover Family Tennis Center. First serve on Sunday is set for 10:00 a.m.
The Emporia State men will be young this year with four freshmen and three sophomores joining returning upperclassmen
Gwendal Mazuay,
Alexis Mattenberger, and
Luke West.
This is the only home action for Emporia State Athletics this weekend with the Hornet football, soccer, volleyball and cross country teams all on the road.
The next action for the Hornet men's tennis team is scheduled for October 2-3 at the Washburn Invitational in Topeka, Kan. The women's tennis team will begin fall action next weekend at the Augustana Invitational on September 12-13 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
ABOUT THE GEORGE MILTON CHICKEN DINNER INVITATIONAL
Beginning in the 1970's longtime Emporia State Tennis Coach George Milton began hosting fall intercollegiate tennis tournaments with the bonus of a chicken dinner for all participants, coaches, and support staff. At that time, it was possible to provide chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, and cake for $3 a person.
Originally the dinner was held at Coach Milton's home, with players sitting on the floor, on the porch, just wherever they could grab a seat. Teams were invited the first year and after that the coaches called him to see if they could come. The coaches loved the idea and encouraged socializing and getting to know players other than just across the net.
The tournament was held around 20 times in total. Matches were held at ESU, Emporia High School, the Emporia Country Club, Peter Pan Park, Hammond Park, and two private courts.
Emporia State is proud continue to bring great fall tennis to Emporia and spread Coach Milton's values of great competition, fellowship, friendship, and great chicken amongst college teams.
