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 <strong>Tennis</strong> & Racquet Complex in Surprise,Ariz., April 17–19 for the National <strong>Campus</strong> 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 <strong>Campus</strong> Championship crown by a 26-21 final score.The win was Duke’s first ever at the National <strong>Campus</strong> 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 <strong>Tennis</strong> <strong>On</strong> <strong>Campus</strong> 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 <strong>Tennis</strong> <strong>On</strong> <strong>Campus</strong>program. “The best part of the <strong>Tennis</strong><strong>On</strong> <strong>Campus</strong> 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 <strong>Campus</strong> Championship,which is hosted through a partnershipof the USTA, National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association, WorldTeam<strong>Tennis</strong> and the Intercollegiate <strong>Tennis</strong>Association, is annually the marquee eventof the <strong>Tennis</strong> <strong>On</strong> <strong>Campus</strong> 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 <strong>Tennis</strong> <strong>On</strong> <strong>Campus</strong> is theone program for young adults who wish tocontinue their recreational tennis careers asthey transition from junior tennis to USTAAdult Leagues.USTA <strong>Tennis</strong> <strong>On</strong> <strong>Campus</strong> 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
Change language