A Letter From the Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair
Jun 4, 2026 | General
Dear Green Wave Family,
As we begin summer here in Uptown, I want to take a moment to share some recent highlights and reflections on the progress of Tulane Athletics. Our spirit remains strong, and I am confident in the bright future ahead, thanks to the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and most importantly, our incredible supporters.
First and foremost, I want to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, coaches, and teammates of incoming football student-athlete Deontavis Cooper, who tragically passed away before reporting to campus this week. His extraordinary spirit, kindness, and the joy he brought to those around him will never be forgotten.
This spring, our programs have achieved notable successes. Congratulations to Coach Eyal Zimet and Tulane Beach Volleyball, which captured its first championship and earned an NCAA Tournament appearance—an incredible milestone for the program. Its spirited fight against (eventual national champion) UCLA in the Round of 16 speaks to its resilience. We're proud to have Coach Zimet leading us through at least the 2029-30 season, and we've extended his contract to support our shared vision.
Our sailing teams continue to demonstrate excellence, sweeping the SEISA Fleet Race Championships for the sixth consecutive year and securing five straight victories in the Team Race competition. Their dedication and skill on the water are a source of pride for Tulane.
We're also proud of our student-athletes' commitment to service. Tulane finished in the top 10 nationally for NACDA's Community Service Award for the second time in as many years and won the American Conference SAAC Cup for the third straight year. Their generosity and dedication to giving back truly embody the spirit of Tulane.
Academically, our student-athletes continue to excel. Our NCAA Academic Progress Rate remains outstanding, with several programs—men's tennis, golf, men's cross country, women's tennis, and bowling—posting perfect multi-year rates once again. Congratulations to our graduates—your hard work inspires us all.
On the national stage, I'm proud to share stories of resilience and leadership within our Tulane family. Alyssa Dismuke (Women's Track & Field) and Kameron Hamilton (Football) received the 2026 Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award, recognizing their remarkable perseverance and contributions both on and off the field. Additionally, Jana Woodson, our Deputy AD for External Operations, was named one of Silver Waves Media's Top 100 Rising Athletic Directors and received the American Conference's Marlon Dechausay Unity Award—honors that reflect her leadership and dedication to fostering an inclusive environment.
Our facilities continue to improve. The Green Wave Indoor Practice Facility, opened in February, is already making a difference across multiple sports, with more teams set to benefit in the months ahead. The Goldring Tennis Center hosted our men's and women's tennis teams for their inaugural spring seasons, and plans are underway to open the pickleball courts to the public later this summer. For football, upgrades to the video board and sound system are scheduled before our September 12 home opener. We're also making progress on improvements at the Theresa Sofio Hitting Facility, Greer Field at Turchin Stadium, Reily Center, and other key areas—all aimed at supporting our student-athletes and engaging our passionate fans.
In terms of support, I'm proud to share that during the April 7-8 Give Green event, we set new records—raising over $1 million from more than 1,200 donors, the highest in Tulane's nine-year history of the campaign. Support for the Green Wave Club and Olive & Blue Society continue to experience record-setting growth, with new members and commitments supporting vital initiatives like the Green Wave Talent Fund, which helps fund NIL opportunities and recruiting efforts. Your generosity is vital as we strive to reach new heights.
Looking ahead, I'm excited for the induction of our 2026 Hall of Fame class in the fall —an extraordinary group whose dedication and achievements continue to inspire us all. Details on each inductee can be found here.
Finally, a word on Tulane Baseball. While this past season was disappointing for our program, we remain fully committed to supporting Coach Uhlman and his staff in preparation for next season. We are actively working together to identify the areas where we need to grow and improve, with our ultimate goal of building a championship-caliber team that qualifies for, and advances in, the NCAA tournament.
Increasing scholarship support is a key part of that effort, and we welcome contributions from our supporters that can help us accelerate this process. It is also important that any scholarship increases for our sports are done in an equitable manner between men's and women's programs. Baseball holds a proud place in Tulane's history, and we deeply appreciate the passion and dedication of our fans and supporters. We understand the importance of this program to our community and are dedicated to making it better every year. Thank you for your continued support and belief in Green Wave Baseball.
As we wrap up this school year, I also want to share our best wishes for Silas Kiptanui (men's track and field), who will be competing in the steeplechase at the NCAA Championships in Eugene—an exciting opportunity for one of our most talented student-athletes.
Over the coming weeks, we plan to continue sharing more about Tulane Athletics through various platforms, and we look forward to engaging with you as we work toward a brighter future.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Green Wave Family. Your support and passion inspire us every day. Together, we will continue to build momentum and move forward stronger than ever.
Roll Wave!
David Harris
Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair
As we begin summer here in Uptown, I want to take a moment to share some recent highlights and reflections on the progress of Tulane Athletics. Our spirit remains strong, and I am confident in the bright future ahead, thanks to the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and most importantly, our incredible supporters.
First and foremost, I want to express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, coaches, and teammates of incoming football student-athlete Deontavis Cooper, who tragically passed away before reporting to campus this week. His extraordinary spirit, kindness, and the joy he brought to those around him will never be forgotten.
This spring, our programs have achieved notable successes. Congratulations to Coach Eyal Zimet and Tulane Beach Volleyball, which captured its first championship and earned an NCAA Tournament appearance—an incredible milestone for the program. Its spirited fight against (eventual national champion) UCLA in the Round of 16 speaks to its resilience. We're proud to have Coach Zimet leading us through at least the 2029-30 season, and we've extended his contract to support our shared vision.
Our sailing teams continue to demonstrate excellence, sweeping the SEISA Fleet Race Championships for the sixth consecutive year and securing five straight victories in the Team Race competition. Their dedication and skill on the water are a source of pride for Tulane.
We're also proud of our student-athletes' commitment to service. Tulane finished in the top 10 nationally for NACDA's Community Service Award for the second time in as many years and won the American Conference SAAC Cup for the third straight year. Their generosity and dedication to giving back truly embody the spirit of Tulane.
Academically, our student-athletes continue to excel. Our NCAA Academic Progress Rate remains outstanding, with several programs—men's tennis, golf, men's cross country, women's tennis, and bowling—posting perfect multi-year rates once again. Congratulations to our graduates—your hard work inspires us all.
On the national stage, I'm proud to share stories of resilience and leadership within our Tulane family. Alyssa Dismuke (Women's Track & Field) and Kameron Hamilton (Football) received the 2026 Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award, recognizing their remarkable perseverance and contributions both on and off the field. Additionally, Jana Woodson, our Deputy AD for External Operations, was named one of Silver Waves Media's Top 100 Rising Athletic Directors and received the American Conference's Marlon Dechausay Unity Award—honors that reflect her leadership and dedication to fostering an inclusive environment.
Our facilities continue to improve. The Green Wave Indoor Practice Facility, opened in February, is already making a difference across multiple sports, with more teams set to benefit in the months ahead. The Goldring Tennis Center hosted our men's and women's tennis teams for their inaugural spring seasons, and plans are underway to open the pickleball courts to the public later this summer. For football, upgrades to the video board and sound system are scheduled before our September 12 home opener. We're also making progress on improvements at the Theresa Sofio Hitting Facility, Greer Field at Turchin Stadium, Reily Center, and other key areas—all aimed at supporting our student-athletes and engaging our passionate fans.
In terms of support, I'm proud to share that during the April 7-8 Give Green event, we set new records—raising over $1 million from more than 1,200 donors, the highest in Tulane's nine-year history of the campaign. Support for the Green Wave Club and Olive & Blue Society continue to experience record-setting growth, with new members and commitments supporting vital initiatives like the Green Wave Talent Fund, which helps fund NIL opportunities and recruiting efforts. Your generosity is vital as we strive to reach new heights.
Looking ahead, I'm excited for the induction of our 2026 Hall of Fame class in the fall —an extraordinary group whose dedication and achievements continue to inspire us all. Details on each inductee can be found here.
Finally, a word on Tulane Baseball. While this past season was disappointing for our program, we remain fully committed to supporting Coach Uhlman and his staff in preparation for next season. We are actively working together to identify the areas where we need to grow and improve, with our ultimate goal of building a championship-caliber team that qualifies for, and advances in, the NCAA tournament.
Increasing scholarship support is a key part of that effort, and we welcome contributions from our supporters that can help us accelerate this process. It is also important that any scholarship increases for our sports are done in an equitable manner between men's and women's programs. Baseball holds a proud place in Tulane's history, and we deeply appreciate the passion and dedication of our fans and supporters. We understand the importance of this program to our community and are dedicated to making it better every year. Thank you for your continued support and belief in Green Wave Baseball.
As we wrap up this school year, I also want to share our best wishes for Silas Kiptanui (men's track and field), who will be competing in the steeplechase at the NCAA Championships in Eugene—an exciting opportunity for one of our most talented student-athletes.
Over the coming weeks, we plan to continue sharing more about Tulane Athletics through various platforms, and we look forward to engaging with you as we work toward a brighter future.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Green Wave Family. Your support and passion inspire us every day. Together, we will continue to build momentum and move forward stronger than ever.
Roll Wave!
David Harris
Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair
Friday, May 01
Monday, April 13
Thursday, April 09
Thursday, April 09
