13-Nov-2020
Seniors: Don't Panic If You Haven't Found the Right School Yet
The signing period opened this week, and some seniors are still searching for a college where they can play. What should they be doing to find a spot? How many programs are still in need of players? College coaches from around the country provide their advice in our latest Coaching Roundtable.
14-Oct-2020
Coaches Provide Insight on Eligibility and Test Score Changes
The USTA convened a panel of coaches to answer a variety of topics, including what questions parents and players should ask colleges about the changes in eligilbity and test scores. The insight spans all different levels of college tennis.
25-Sep-2020
How Coaches Are Recruiting Without Many Tournament Results
During the coronavirus pandemic, recruits haven't been able to play as many tournaments. How are college coaches assessing players without having results or in-person scouting as a guide? Find out in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
14-Aug-2020
No Official Visits? How Coaches Are Virtually Adjusting
Because recruits haven't been able to take official visits, college coaches have needed to adjusted their recruiting methods during the coronavirus pandemic. Find out about the virtual methods they are employing to still showcase their schools and their programs.
10-Jul-2020
How Can College Tennis Programs Show Their Worth and Avoid Cuts?
As college athletic departments continue slashing budgets as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, tennis programs have taken the biggest brunt of the cuts. In the latest Coaching Roundtable, coaches discuss why college tennis is valuable and what strategies may help programs avoid being disbanded.
8-Apr-2020
How an Extra Year of Eligibility Impacts College Teams, Recruits
The NCAA granted an extra year of eligibilty to spring sport athletes that had their season abruptly canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. How will that impact college rosters and recruiting in the next few seasons? Our Coaching Roundtable attempts to address those issues.
19-Mar-2020
The Season-Ending Meeting Coaches Weren't Expecting
College coaches around the country had to break the news to their players that the season was over much earlier than expected because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The meetings weren't easy, and the reality is still sinking in for many.
20-Feb-2020
Roundtable: What Makes Playing for HBCU Programs Special
What makes playing for Historically Black Colleges and Universities special or unique? In honor of Black History Month, our Coaching Roundtable panel provides some insight into what attracts their recruits to their schools.
28-Jan-2020
How Much Does On-Court Body Language Factor Into Recruiting?
How much do college coaches pay attention to a player's body language on the court when they are recruiting? We asked several coaches from around the nation to provide their thoughts for this month's Coaching Roundtable.
28-Nov-2019
Giving Thanks: College Coaches Express Holiday Gratitude
Thanksgiving Day is a time to express gratitude for the things and people in your life. In honor of the holiday, we asked college coaches around the country what they are thankful for in our latest edition of the Coaching Roundtable.
31-Oct-2019
Roundtable: Post-Signing Communication Strategy
Talking with coaches frequently is common during the recruiting process. But what happens once players sign their National Letter of Intent? How much communication should players still expect? We address that topic in the latest Coaching Roundtable.
27-Sep-2019
Inside Look at Official Visits From a Coaching Perspective
Making official visits are a key part of the recruiting process. The campus trips allow recruits to learn more about the school, meet the team and explore the surrounding area. What should recruits expect during the visits? Coaches from around the country provide their insight.
8-Aug-2019
Coaches See Great Value in Playing Back Draw Matches
Juniors pulling out of the back draw at tournaments raises a red flag for college recruiters. Unless there is a legitimate reason, coaches want to see players compete until the end. They discuss why in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
16-Jul-2019
The Things Coaches Wish All Recruits Knew
What are the things college coaches wish all recruits knew? From NCAA rules to program philosophies to academic requirements, this month's Coaching Roundtable provides a few examples from around the country.
28-Jun-2019
How Do Division III Coaches Identify and Recruit Players?
Their recruiting budgets are usually smaller and they don't have athletic scholarships to offer. How do Division III coaches identify and recruits players to their schools? We asked a few in this month's "Coaching Roundtable."
29-May-2019
Division I Coaches Assess New NCAA Super Regional Format
The NCAA Division I Championships debuted a new Super Regional round this year with Round of 16 matches taking place on campuses instead of at the final site like in years past. How did coaches like the change? We asked a few that participated in our latest Coaching Roundtable.
26-Apr-2019
What Coaches Want to See in Emails From Recruits
Sending emails to coaches is often the first step in the recruiting process. But what should recruits include in the emails? Do they send grades? Video? Tournament schedules? Coaches provide those answers in our latest Coaching Roundtable.
29-Mar-2019
Assistant Coaches Bring Great Value to College Programs
Assistant coaches are a critical part of every college tennis program across the nation. They juggle multiple roles to help players perform at their best. Why do they love their jobs? We asked a few longtime assistants in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
28-Feb-2019
Why Recruits Choose to Play at HBCUs
In honor of Black History Month, we asked several coaches from Historically Black Colleges and Universities why players want to attend HBCU schools and what makes them unique. Find out the answers in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
30-Jan-2019
Playing Pro Events During the College Season
Should players participate in pro tournaments during the college season? It's a question college coaches must answer, and a topic recruits often ask about. Find out how some coaches approach the issue in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
24-Dec-2018
College Coaches Reveal Their Favorite Christmas Gifts
From sports equipment to musical devices to trust funds, college coaches always remember their favorite Christmas gifts. Find out which gifts made the cut in a festive edition of our Coaching Roundtable.
29-Nov-2018
How Coaches Help Signed Recruits Stay Ready for College
Signing a National Letter of Intent can be a huge relief for recruits. But how do college coaches ensure players stay engaged in tennis and keep improving before they arrive on campus as freshman? Several gave their advice in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
25-Oct-2018
Coaches Weigh In On New Signing Window
The recruiting calendar has changed this year, with the signing period no longer broken into two separate windows. This year's seniors can now sign anytime from November 14, 2018 through August 1, 2019. How will this impact recruiting? We asked several coaches for this month's Roundtable.
12-Sep-2018
Roundtable: Helping Freshmen Transition to College
Making the transition from high school to college can be a big change for incoming freshmen tennis players. How do programs help them acclimate? What resources are available on campus? We asked several coaches from around the country for this month's Coaching Roundtable.
10-Aug-2018
Why College Coaches Like Recruiting Hard Court Nationals
It's a Who's Who of college tennis coaches this week at the USTA 16s and 18s National Hard Court Championships in Kalamazoo and San Diego. Coaches from all levels have flocked to the cities to scout potential players. In this month's Coaching Roundtable, we asked how valauble the event was in recruiting.
17-Jul-2018
Coaches Offer Their Best Piece of Advice to Recruits
What is the one piece of advice college coaches wish every recruit knew? From how to research a school to learning how to live on their own, coaches at all levels of college tennis provided their guidance in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
27-Jun-2018
Why Coaches Attend the USTA All-American College Combine
More than 60 college coaches from all divisions attended the 2nd annual USTA All-American College Combine last week at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. What is the value of the combine and what do they enjoy most? Find out in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
9-May-2018
Division III Experiments With Speeding Up Matches
Teams experimented with rule changes this year at the NCAA Division III Team Indoors to help speed up the pace of matches. Among the tweaks were no warm-ups, no lineup announcements and tiebreaks at 7-7 in doubles. Coaches provided their thoughts on the experience in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
24-Apr-2018
Division I Coaches Weigh in on New NCAA Recruiting Rules
College coaches from around the country provided their thoughts on the new recruiting legislation adopted by the NCAA Division I Council last week. Do they think it's a good thing? What are their concerns? How much will things change? Find out in the latest Coaching Roundtable.
27-Mar-2018
College Coaches Recall Their First Signing Classes
They were the foundational classes that launched coaching careers. The players that trusted them and committed to their vision will remain special. In this month's Coaching Roundtable, college coaches recall the very first signing class of their head coaching careers and what it meant to them.
27-Feb-2018
How Are Conference and Non-Conference Matches Different?
Every match holds a level of importance in the season, but how do non-conference matches differ from conferences matches? Is there more intensity that comes with familiarity and fighting for a conference title? We asked a panel of coaches from across the country in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
31-Jan-2018
How College Coaches Make Lineup Decisions
Choosing a lineup to start a season is not an exact science. Various factors are considered before sending players out to the courts for each college match. This month's Coaching Roundtable panel discusses how lineup decisions are made and how things can change throughout the next few months.
26-Dec-2017
How College Programs Develop Leadership
How important is leadership in college tennis? How do teams select captains? Is it hard to find leaders in a largely individual sport? We asked a panel of coaches how they develop leadership in their programs in this month's Coaching Roundtable.
28-Nov-2017
What College Programs Tried to Achieve in the Fall
What were college programs trying to achieve during the fall season? How different are the goals in the fall compared to the spring? We asked several coaches how they approached the fall in the latest edition of our Coaching Roundtable.
22-Oct-2017
Countdown: The Value of Video in Recruiting
Video has become a tool coaches and players use in the recruiting process. How much do coaches use it? What are they looking for in each video? Our latest Coaching Roundtable tackles those questions.
22-Sep-2017
Roundtable: Pulling Double Duty
How does a college coach manage to coach not one, but two teams? We talked with several coaches about balancing time and resources while leading the men's and women's programs at their respective schools.
23-Aug-2017
Roundtable: Academic Interests of Potential Recruits
Junior tennis players can let coaches know about their academic
interests on websites like TRN. These interests often play a role in a
recruit's decision to attend a particular college, but do coaches take
these interests into account? We put the following question to a
number of coaches: Do academic interests on these websites weigh into
your recruiting process? What advice do you give to players along
these lines?
18-Jul-2017
Roundtable: Academic Majors and College Tennis
A college tennis player's time is usually dominated by the rigors of
classroom study, practice, and competition. An interesting wrinkle to
time management is the choice of college major. Some areas of study -
architecture, engineering, and many others - are known for their
rigor even without the demands of college tennis. We put the question
to our panel: Do players' intended majors impact your ability to
recruit certain student-athletes?
27-Jun-2017
Roundtable: Role of the Personal Coach in the Recruiting Process
Most junior tennis players have the services of personal coaches -
from their academies, clubs, or high schools. The players' personal coaches
often play a role for the college coach in the recruiting process. We
put the question to our panel: How valuable in the recruiting process
is a personal coach? What type of questions do you ask the coach about
your recruit? Do you stay in contact with the coach after your recruit
has committed to your program?
30-May-2017
Roundtable: Considering Junior College Tennis
Many student athletes begin their collegiate careers at junior and
community colleges. Two-year college coaches have the services of
players for a relatively short period of time. Keeping this concept in
mind, we asked a panel of JUCO coaches the following questions: How
will recruits benefit by playing two years for your program? How do
you help them find a new college afterward?
3-Apr-2017
Countdown: Coaches on Finding a Good Fit
Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college program, and coaches are
always looking for student-athletes who will contribute to the team
and the program's culture. Once coaches identify strong candidates, they have to
execute on the recruiting process. We put the following question to a
panel of experts: When you know a student-athlete will be a good fit
for your program, what techniques do you use to articulate the fit?
8-Mar-2017
Roundtable: Choosing the Lineup
Lineup selection - who plays which line - is an important part of
college tennis. When there are strong players with different skill
sets, coaches need to make difficult choices. We put the question to
our panel of coaches: When you have two strong players at the top of
your lineup, how do you decide who plays No. 1 and No. 2? How does the
lineup change from week to week?
1-Feb-2017
Roundtable: Scheduling Dual Matches
Dual matches are the heart of the college tennis season, and most of
the top teams are just starting their dual match schedule right now.
There are plenty of great early-season matchups before conference play
begins in earnest. But how do teams come up with their schedules? We
put the question to our panel: What is your philosophy when putting
together your spring schedule? How far in advance do you start
planning?
11-Jan-2017
Roundtable: Fitness Programs in College Tennis
Fitness and health are important aspects in the game of tennis. Off
the court, college tennis players work out to maintain high levels of
energy and stamina. We asked a panel of coaches the following
questions: What types of off-court fitness and conditioning programs
do you use? Are your players advised on nutritional matters?
5-Dec-2016
Roundtable: Junior Tennis Events and Recruiting
There are many opportunities for junior tennis players to interact
with college tennis coaches without visiting campus. Coaches
frequently attend junior tournaments, college showcases, and college
information sessions. We put the following question to a panel of
college coaches: What junior events do you and your staff attend each
year? How valuable are these events in your recruiting process?
27-Oct-2016
Countdown: Building Coaching and Team Relationships
"Relationship" is a word we hear over and over when it comes
to college tennis and recruiting. College tennis players spend a lot
of time with their teammates and coaches, and everyone wants this time
to be productive and enjoyable. We asked our coaches the following:
How important is it for potential recruits to build strong
relationships with you and the players on your team? What are ways you
go about accomplishing that relationship building?
3-Oct-2016
Roundtable: Attracting Fans to College Tennis Matches
Every college program wants to develop its fan support, and college
tennis programs are no exception. Teams will often promote special
events that cater to loyal fans and alumni as well as to bring in new
fans. Kids days, homecomings, food, and hit-with-the-players sessions
are just a few examples. We presented the following question to our
panel of coaches: What are some of the things you do to attract fans to
your program? What special events do you put on?
14-Sep-2016
Roundtable: Sending the Initial Email to College Coaches
College information sessions and recruiting experts are always
encouraging players and parents to take the initiative and reach out
to college coaches. That first contact is often by email - but high
school players are sometimes at a loss as to what points to emphasize.
We put the question to our panel of coaches: What should a player
include in his/her initial email to a college coach?
24-Aug-2016
Roundtable: Setting College Doubles Pairings
Doubles often sets the tone for college dual matches. In the NCAA
Division I, whichever team wins two of three doubles matches gains one
point. Division III teams, on the other hand, can take a 3-0 lead by
sweeping the doubles. Regardless of the scoring format, doubles teams
are an important part of the season. We put the question to a panel of
coaches: What factors go into setting your doubles pairings? How much
do you change your pairings throughout the year?
8-Aug-2016
Roundtable: Turning Professional Before Graduation
With the U.S. Open occurring this month, several top college tennis
players are considering turning pro. The lure of pro tennis can be
strong, even if it means leaving college before his or her graduation
date. So, we asked a panel of respected coaches the following
question: What advice do you give to one of your current players who
is considering turning pro before graduation?
11-Jul-2016
Roundtable: Coaches On Off-Court Factors in Recruiting Part II
Last month, we talked with college tennis coaches about how aspects
other than on-court play factor into recruiting. We got a few more
responses, and so we present answers to the following question: What
off-court qualities do you look for in a recruit? What is important to
you, as a coach, concerning the demeanor and attitude of a recruit?
14-Jun-2016
Roundtable: Coaches On Off-Court Factors in Recruiting
College tennis players have a lot of responsibilities. In addition to
consistently turning in top performances on the court, they also have
to deal with academics while working closely with their teammates and
coaches. We put the following question to a panel of respected
coaches: What off-court qualities do you look for in a recruit?
15-Apr-2016
Spring Signing Week '16: Talking With Coaches Roundtable Part II
NCAA rules dictate when coaches can make initial contact with
potential student-athletes, but the rest is up to junior players and
their parents. Last month, we asked our panel of coaches to help shed
some light on this grey area of the recruiting process. Check out the
rest of their answers to the following communication-themed questions.
9-Apr-2016
Countdown: Communicating With Coaches Roundtable
When it comes to the recruiting process, contact with coaches can be
one of the toughest aspects to navigate. Potential student-athletes
and their parents are often left guessing when it comes to ideal
communication frequency and timing. In order to help eliminate
ambiguity, we asked our panel of coaches about when and how they
should reach out to college coaches - and when offers are extended.
29-Mar-2016
Countdown: D-III Recruiting
The team at Division III Tennis contributes to the Coundown to Signing
Day by touching on how recruiting has made an even bigger impact year
after year in our world - with so many more top players from around
the country deciding to choose D-III. One of our newest writers,
D3TennisGreek, brings his recruiting background and general love for
D-III Tennis to the table and will be outlining the recruiting
phenomenon that is happening throughout the country.
11-Mar-2016
Roundtable: Effects of New Scoring in Division I (Part 2)
College tennis is looking a little different these days. No-ad
scoring, a single set for doubles matches and eliminated warm-ups with
opponents are just a few of the changes approved by the NCAA to
quicken the pace of dual match play. We talk with a set of college
coaches about how their players must approach their matches with a
different mindset.
8-Feb-2016
Roundtable: Effects of New Scoring in Division I (Part 1)
After experimenting with different methods to accelerate the pace of
play in college tennis, the NCAA has approved several adjustments to
the scoring system in Division I tennis initially proposed by the ITA.
No-ad scoring, shortened doubles sets and eliminating formal warm-ups
are modifications meant to engage fans and shorten the time
student-athletes spend on the court. We talked with a number of
college coaches about how these changes impact their preparation.
28-Dec-2015
Roundtable: When to Take Recruiting Trips (Part 2)
Last month, we talked with college coaches about when recruits should
plan their unofficial and official visits. Today, we engage several more
college coaches to get their takes on the matter. Our panel takes on
the question: When is the best time for students to take their recruiting
trips? Are players that don't go during their junior years at a
disadvantage?
30-Nov-2015
Roundtable: When to Take Recruiting Trips
Visiting colleges and meeting potential coaches and teammates is vital
in painting a realistic picture of student-athlete life. But when
should players arrive on campus for a test run? The answer has changed
dramatically over the past decade. We put the question to our panel:
When is the best time for students to take their recruiting trips? Are
players that don't go during their junior years at a disadvantage?
5-Nov-2015
Countdown: Differences in Recruiting Men and Women
College tennis coaches must be adept at finding talent to fill their
rosters. Perhaps the coaches with the most difficult tasks are those
that direct both women's and men's teams. We put the question to our
panel of coaches: What are the main differences between recruiting for
a men's program and a women's program? Do you sell your school
differently depending on the gender of the recruit?
22-Sep-2015
Roundtable: The Dos and Don'ts of Recruiting Videos
For most junior tennis players, the recruiting process involves some
savvy self-marketing. In addition to reaching out to coaches via phone
and email or seeking them out during a summer national event, many
athletes opt to send out a recruiting video to show off their skills.
We asked our panel of coaches: What are you looking for in a
recruiting video? How can players best portray themselves in a short
clip?
19-Aug-2015
Roundtable: Division II Tennis
As a student-athlete navigates the recruiting process, he or she may
not find the ideal combination of tennis and academics at a Division I
university. In those cases, looking into Division II programs may be a
logical next step. We put the question to a number of D-II coaches:
What are some advantages of Division II tennis? What are some of the
key differences of Division II athletics? What are some common
misconceptions? Which players thrive in the Division II environment?
13-Jul-2015
Roundtable: How To Spend Your Summer (Part 2)
Unlike many college sports, which feature dedicated off-seasons during
the year, tennis has very few built-in breaks. As such, it can be
tempting for collegiate players to either undertrain or overtrain when
away from their coaches and teammates during the summer - both of which
can set a student-athlete up for failure when the fall tournament
season rolls around. We asked our panel of coaches how they want their
players to approach their time away from school.
1-Jul-2015
Roundtable: How To Spend Your Summer (Part 1)
Unlike many college sports, which feature dedicated off-seasons during
the year, tennis has very few built-in breaks. As such, it can be
tempting for collegiate players to either undertrain or overtrain when
away from their coaches and teammates during the summer - both of which
can set a student-athlete up for failure when the fall tournament
season rolls around. We asked our panel of coaches how they want their
players to approach their time away from school.
2-Jun-2015
Roundtable: Weighing in on the Big XII Cheering/Heckling Rule (Part 2)
This past season, the Big XII implemented a "decorum policy"
that allowed college tennis fans to be a bit rowdier - trying to
create an atmosphere closer to college basketball than to Wimbledon.
This topic has been a lightning rod for discussion, and so we checked
in with our panel of college coaches to get their takes...
20-May-2015
Roundtable: Weighing in on the Big XII Cheering/Heckling Rule (Part 1)
Thanks to a conference committee spearheaded by TCU head men's coach
David Roditi, the Big XII implemented a "decorum policy"
this season allowing fans to cheer during points in an effort to
involve those more accustomed to the raucous atmosphere of a
basketball or football game. There has been a lot of discussion in the
tennis world - find out what several college coaches have to say on
the subject...
11-May-2015
Roundtable: Role of the Parent in College Recruiting (Part 2)
Last month, we asked our panel of coaches to give their best advice to
college players and their parents when it comes to navigating the
recruiting process together. Today we have more coaches addressing
the ideal role for the parent during the recruiting process.
22-Apr-2015
Division III Roundtable - Late Season Report
While Tennis Recruiting has been running its Signing Week coverage,
there have been a ton of great stories in Division III tennis. We've
brought together four of our dedicated D-III writers (three men's and
one women's) to bring you all the updates on this year's season before
we head into the postseason. I hope you enjoy our 'D-III Roundtable'.
16-Apr-2015
Spring Signing Week '15: Role of the Parent in College Recruiting
The college tennis recruiting process can be tough to navigate for the
student-athlete, but it's also new territory for many parents. It can
often be difficult to determine where to offer guidance and when to
let the child take the wheel. While parents undoubtedly want the best
for their children, it's important that they allow the coach/player
relationship a chance to grow. We asked our panel of college coaches
about the role of the parent in recruiting...
31-Mar-2015
Countdown: Coach Roundtable on College Transfers (Part 2)
Last month, we asked our panel of college coaches about transferring.
Why do so many student athletes transfer from one school to another -
or quit their sports altogether? In today's roundtable article, more
college coaches weigh in with their thoughts...
27-Mar-2015
Countdown: Recruiting - the D-III Perspective
As the tennis season kicks into high gear, the team at
Division3Tennis.com goes off the court to bring you inside the minds
of two prominent D-III coaches. The coaches comment on coaching, recruiting, and D-III tennis in general. Enjoy!
23-Feb-2015
Coach Roundtable: Transfers in College Tennis (Part 1)
Each year, a significant number of college tennis players quit tennis
before they have exhausted their eligibility - or transfer from one
school to another. We put the question to our panel of college
coaches: Why is the case? What can be done to minimize the chances of
giving up on a program - and what should high school players do to
ensure a good fit?
13-Nov-2014
Fall Signing Week '14: How and When to Contact College Coaches II
Players and their families are sometimes unsure of how contact with
college tennis coaches works. Last month, we ran a roundtable article
where coaches commented on these communications. Today we have more
coaches responding to these questions: When should players contact
college coaches? What is the most effective way of reaching out?
27-Oct-2014
Countdown: How and When to Contact College Coaches
Although many serious junior tennis players want to play college
tennis, most do not understand how the recruiting process work. Many
players ask us why coaches are not reaching out to them, and we
explain to them that communications are almost always initiated by
the player. Players then want to know how best to do that. We put the
question to our panel of college coaches: When should players contact
college coaches? What is the most effective way of reaching out?
23-Sep-2014
The Impact of the Scoring System on Coaching
Over the past couple of years, there have been several experiments
with the format of college tennis - no-ad scoring, shortened sets,
third-set tiebreakers. A proposal to move to no-ad scoring for NCAA
Division I was tabled earlier this month. We put the question to
college coaches: What impact does the scoring system have on your
approach to preparing your team?
22-Sep-2014
Coaches Face Challenge of the College Pitch at US Open
School is already in session and the fall tennis season is well
underway, but a number of college coaches were missing the first few
days of team practice in order to scout the next crop of future
players at one of the world's premier tennis events - the US Open
junior tournament. At a tournament of this level, the challenge of
recruiting future players is perhaps a tougher task than what they
typically experience.
8-Aug-2014
Approaching the Official Visit
Visits to colleges and college tennis programs - whether they are
unofficial or official - are often make-or-break moments in the
college recruiting process. Both junior tennis players and coaches try
to learn all they can about each other in a short period of time. What
should you learn? We put the question to a number of recent graduates:
If you had it to go over again, how would you approach visits to
schools? What would most want to learn?
29-Jul-2014
What Coaches Look For on Official Visits (Pt. 2)
We recently invited college tennis coaches to comment on official
college visits: what they look for in student athletes - and what most
impresses them. We showed comments from a number of coaches earlier in
the month, but we have thoughts from more coaches. This second
installment contains more insights on the official visit...
8-Jul-2014
What Coaches Look For on Official Visits
Perhaps the most exciting part of the recruiting process is the
Official Visit - where schools brings prospective athletes (and often
their parents) to campus for a weekend visit. Coaches use these
visits as key recruiting tools, and the experiences are often huge
factors in players' decisions. We put the question to college coaches:
What are you looking for in recruits during official visits? What most
impresses you?
15-Apr-2014
Spring Signing Week '14: How is College Tennis Different?
Junior tennis and college tennis are two very different experiences.
Junior tennis players know that they will be competing in a team
environment, but they can't really know what else to expect. We put
the question to recent graduates: What was an aspect of college tennis
that most surprised you coming out of juniors? What did you find most
challenging?
9-Apr-2014
Countdown: What Do Players Overlook?
Every year, high school tennis players make their college decisions
based on a number of factors - from coaching staff and players on the
team to size of school and weather. But are these athletes making
rational decisions? We put the question to college coaches: What
important factors in the college recruiting process do student
athletes often overlook?
7-Mar-2014
Roundtable: Is College Tennis Thriving or Struggling?
It is interesting to look at the state of college tennis. Rising costs
in education and athletics present challenges, but tennis remains one
of the most popular sports on the college landscape. We put the
question to college coaches... Is college tennis thriving or
struggling? What changes or improvements are you monitoring?
18-Dec-2013
Former Collegians on College vs. Pro Tennis
The strongest junior tennis players face the decision of playing
college tennis or turning professional. More and more highly-ranked
boys are choosing the college tennis over the Futures circuit as a
development path, but many girls are still turning pro. We put the
question to our panel of recent college graduates: What advice would
you give to a junior girl who is trying to choose between college and
professional tennis?
15-Nov-2013
Fall Signing Week '13: Fall Scheduling in College - Part 2
In college tennis, fall competition normally focuses on player development.
Last month, we asked college coaches about their goals and philosophies
for the fall season, and we published answers from a half-dozen coaches.
Today we hear comments from more coaches on the topic.
31-Oct-2013
Countdown: Fall Scheduling in College
In college tennis, there are two distinct competition seasons - fall
and spring - that are very different. Fall competition is usually more
oriented around tournaments for individuals, and there is a huge
stress on player development. We put the question to college coaches:
"What are your goals for the fall season, and what is your philosophy
when structuring the fall schedule?"
27-Aug-2013
Roundtable: How to Choose a College
For many teenagers, choosing a college is the first big decision they
make in their lives. Adding athletics to the equation can make the
decision more challenging. How do you go about approaching the
process? What factors should be important? We put this question to a
number of young women who recently finished up their college tennis
careers at top schools. See what they had to say...
4-Mar-2013
Dividing Coaching Responsibilities
College tennis teams vary in their coaching structure. Some schools
have a single coach for both the men's and women's teams, while others
have two or three coaches for each program. We put the question to
college coaches - how are responsibilities divided among coaches on
your staff?
31-Oct-2012
Countdown: Dividing Men's Scholarships
NCAA Division I Men's Tennis is an equivalency sport, meaning that for
a given program, scholarship money can be divided among many different
players. With the need to play six singles and three doubles - and
given a maximum of 4.5 scholarships - coaches can rarely award full
scholarships to recruits. We put the question to NCAA women's coaches:
What is your strategy when planning out your scholarships?
17-Oct-2012
Countdown: Planning Women's Scholarships
NCAA Division I Women's Tennis is a head count sport, meaning that for
a given program, only eight women can receive athletic scholarships.
With six singles and three doubles matches - and in light of injuries
- a roster of eight can appear quite thin. We put the question to
NCAA women's coaches: What is your strategy when planning out your
scholarships?
1-Jan-2000
Roundtable: Academic Interests of Potential Recruits
Junior tennis players can let coaches know about their academic interests on websites like TRN. These interests often play a role in a recruit's decision to attend a particular college, but do coaches take these interests into account? We put the following question to a number of coaches: Do academic interests on these websites weigh into your recruiting process? What advice do you give to players along these lines?
