CLASS ACTION - Tennis On Campus

CLASS ACTIONCLASS ACTIONTHE USTA NATIONAL CAMPUS CHAMPIONSHIP PROVIDED AGRAND FINALE FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON OF THE TENNISON CAMPUS PROGRAM. BY ANDREW LABOVITZ

ALL PHOTOS BY FRED AND SUSAN MULLANE/CAMERAWORK USATHE ATMOSPHERE HAD THE sort of electricity and excitementnormally associated with the US Open. Of the 64 teams thathad come to the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Surprise,Ariz., April 17–19 for the National Campus Championship, onlytwo were left. The final pitted Duke University against the Universityof Wisconsin, Madison, but the stands were packed with playersfrom most of the other 62 schools, all cheering and reveling in theoccasion. In the end, it was Duke’s Blue Devils, who had beaten defendingchampion Texas in the quarters and former champs TexasA&M in the semis, who toughed their way to the title, capturingthe National Campus Championship crown by a 26-21 final score.The win was Duke’s first ever at the National Campus Championship,and it marked the first time since 2003 that the winnerhailed from outside of Texas. Even before the Blue Devils pouredUSTA > > > JULY/AUGUST 2009 > 23

onto the court to celebrate after theirmixed-doubles victory made the win official,onlookers, including tennis legend BillieJean King, were marveling at the passionand enthusiasm of these non-varsityathletes who were given the opportunity tocompete for their schools by virtue of theUSTA Tennis On Campus program.“It was a little nerve-wracking, but oneof the best events I’ve ever been to,” saidDuke’s Greg Van Winkle, who helped theBlue Devils secure wins in men’s doublesand mixed doubles against Wisconsin.“This is a blast.”Following the final, the students anddignitaries headed to the closing-ceremonydinner, during which prizes were given tothe winners and runners-up. The SportsmanshipAward was given to the Universityof Central Florida, and the Club of theYear went to the University of California,Davis. The Leader of the Year Award wasbestowed upon the president of the teamfrom California Polytechnic State University,Steven Azeka.Azeka could not help but gush aboutthe positives of the Tennis On Campusprogram. “The best part of the TennisOn Campus program by far is meetingnew people,” he said. “No matter what thescore, whether we win or lose, I still get tomeet great people.”The USTA National Campus Championship,which is hosted through a partnershipof the USTA, National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, WorldTeamTennis and the Intercollegiate TennisAssociation, is annually the marquee eventof the Tennis On Campus program. Theconsistent growth in both size and popularityof the event—from 10 teams in 2000to 64 this year—speaks volumes about notonly the enthusiasm of the current participants,but of the importance of this program.USTA Tennis On Campus is theone program for young adults who wish tocontinue their recreational tennis careers asthey transition from junior tennis to USTAAdult Leagues.USTA Tennis On Campus was designedto provide college students with thechance to experience the competitive playof college tennis and the team camaraderiethat comes from representing one’s school,without having to deal with the demandsof playing a varsity sport. What started asa small program of 192 schools in 2003 hastaken off in recent years, and now boastsJULY/AUGUST 2009 > > > USTA

upwards of 30,000 players competing for500 colleges and universities across thecountry. The teams range in size, withsome larger programs including over 250students. The teams are all coed and usethe World TeamTennis format, whichoffers the chance for men and women tocompete on the same court while representingtheir school.“The idea behind the Tennis On Campusprogram is to keep these young peoplein the game,” notes Glenn Arrington, theUSTA’s National Manager for Tennis OnCampus. “Too often in the past, the sporthas lost those kids who played tennis in highschool but may not have the ability or the desireto play at the varsity level in college. TheTennis On Campus program fills that void,not only keeping more players in the game,but adding new ones as well. The programcontinues to grow in popularity for a verysimple reason—it’s a lot of fun.”BIG PLAYERS ON CAMPUS:Students from 64 colleges gave their all intrying to take the title, including (clockwisefrom top right) Wisconsin’s Hillary Friedman,Loyola’s Sean Dacanay and Lone StarCollege’s Samuel Holmes, Oregon’s MeganSchulz, Duke’s Thibault Ducarme, WesternWashington’s Ari Adelstein and Jordan Reni.(Left) A group of Lone Star supporters. Thetitle was captured by the Duke squad (topleft) which celebrated with Billie Jean King,USTA First Vice President Jon Vegosen (thirdfrom right) and USTA Executive DirectorGordon Smith (far right).USTA NATIONALCAMPUS CHAMPIONSHIPChampionship: Duke d. Wisconsin,Madison 26-21 (OT)Semifinals: Duke d. Texas A&M,25-19, Wisconsin d. University ofCentral Florida 25-24Third place: UCF d. Texas A&M22-21Quarterfinals: Texas A&M d.Baylor 30-12, Duke d. Texas 29-19,Wisconsin d. Maryland 25-13, UCFd. Rutgers 26-18.For more on the USTA TennisOn Campus program, and tolearn how to start a teamat your school, visitwww.tennisoncampus.com.USTA > > > JULY/AUGUST 2009