On Saturday, the MSU women's tennis team's van was robbed while the team was preparing for a meet against the DePaul University Blue Demons in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, according to the Chicago Police Department.
According to the Chicago Police Department, the theft took place at approximately 12:45 p.m. Saturday on the 1400 block of West Altgeld St. No suspects are being held in custody, but an investigation is ongoing.
The meet was to be held at 2 p.m., but the team arrived at the Lakeshore Sport and Fitness Club, DePaul's home court, at 11 a.m., head coach Simone Jardim said. They decided to pass the time by parking at the club and walking to eat a team lunch at a nearby restaurant, leaving personal electronics and team equipment in the van.
"When we came back, everything was gone," Jardim said.
The only items remaining were Jardim's phone charger and an auxiliary input, or AUX, cord. At least $7,000 worth of items were stolen.
Jardim said the thief or thieves most likely entered the vehicle by popping the lock on the driver's side door. The only harm done to the van was a damaged driver's side door handle.
Since the team's tennis equipment and uniforms were stolen, the match had to be postponed indefinitely. According to a MSU press release, the match will be rescheduled for an unknown future date.
"We had no way of playing the match at that point, so we figured that we would call (off the match) and call the police and file a report," Jardim said. "Then we got in the car and drove home.”
Jardim said that team unity and support from the local community has been instrumental in helping the team recover from the shock of this theft.
"We’ll stay strong and stay together and be there for each other and move on," Jardim said. "The community has been great, and doing whatever they can do to help. That stuff means a lot, because right now that’s what we need ... knowing that next time we step on the court people will be there supporting us and have our back."
The incident overshadowed a particularly successful season for the Spartans. The team was ranked in the ITA Top 75 in the preseason for the first time since 2009 and they moved up a spot to No. 68 in the latest rankings. The clash between No. 41 DePaul and MSU was to be a marquee matchup for both teams.
"I really think we have a good team and we can do well," Jardim said. "I’m just hoping that we also get some attention for tennis."
The Spartans will have two weeks to sort things out, as their next match is not until 10 a.m. Feb. 13, when No. 64 Wake Forest University visits East Lansing. Jardim said that the team will "definitely" be ready for that match.
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