US College Signings

philwrig · Hall of fame

RE: US College Signings

philwrig · Hall of fame

Spectator wrote:
And Ms Borthwick is apparently going to the individual, as well as the team, championships: www.seminoles.com/sports/w-tennis/spec-rel/050514aaa.html ... the first from her team since Ms Slater.

I spoke to Mr B earlier this year, and he was very happy with his daughter's progress, so fingers crossed she can make the transition to pro after graduating.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

I think Peter O'Donovan (Nevada) and David Weir (Pfeiffer) should also be on the list.

Spectator · All-time great

And Lana Rush has committed to attending Florida State. www.seminoles.com/sports/w-tennis/spec-rel/051614aab.html

The Optimist · ATP qualifying

Lana already on list. Added Peter O'D and David W.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Calum Hayes should also go on the list, I think, for Metropolitan State University.

I hadn't realised that it is possible to sign up for college just for one or two years. I read that Rubin is signing up for one year. And a couple of article imply that it's not uncommon. What actually do you get if you only do one year ? Presumably 180 credits (or whatever) that you can use later in life.

Still seems a reasonable idea. I liked Diaz, the coach at Uni of Georgia, who said that the schedule is flexible, his players can play a little futures and challengers, as well as all the college team tennis, and you can make mistakes and not have to sink or swim straight off. The aim, he said, is to spend enough time in school so that you minimise the amount of time you spend playing futures full time, hopefully by-passing them pretty much completely.

Spectator · All-time great

I don't think you sign up for one or two years. I think you sign up ... and then just take a leave of absence when you decide that you are ready to go (and in Rubin's case, signal that may be sooner rather than later, so that there are no hard feelings). The advantages seem many: (a) good coaching, good practice, good games and good teammates - a chance to gain maturity in playing and in character, (b) you might actually learn something academically (quite likely if you go to Virginia!), (c) you have some university education and can always come back to finish your degree if you so choose. And, it's also something of an insurance policy - if something goes hideously, horribly wrong, you can stay on as a full time student. I seem to recall the case of a basketball player a few years back who had a scholarship to university and came down with an illness that meant his athletic career was over. He was still able to stay and finish his degree ...

-- Edited by Spectator on Tuesday 8th of July 2014 10:35:38 AM

PaulM · Tennis legend

Correct CD. You sign-up for the full term but the system is flexible and you can drop out (like you can from any other university of course!). The idea is that if you are not ready for the tour you go to college. It may be that after 1 year, or 2, you feel ready to go out on the tour, and you do so, with a little education, lots of match time, and if you've gone to a school with a good developmental coach and programme, improvements in your game.

Similarly, if you play a bit in the summer and have a big breakthrough you can decide not to go back after the summer and turn pro instead (e.g. Mallory Burdette).

The aim should be to be at least top 300/350 in 2 years max. The top college players who decide to go pro achieve usually manage that pretty easily (including our own Sarah Borwell and Sam Murray) if they are properly dedicating themselves to the tour, rather than just 'giving it a go'.

-- Edited by PaulM on Tuesday 8th of July 2014 10:39:45 AM

PaulM · Tennis legend

Spectator wrote:
I don't think you sign up for one or two years. I think you sign up ... and then just take a leave of absence when you decide that you are ready to go (and in Rubin's case, signal that may be sooner rather than later, so that there are no hard feelings). The advantages seem many: (a) good coaching, good practice, good games and good teammates - a chance to gain maturity in playing and in character, (b) you might actually learn something academically (quite likely if you go to Virginia!), (c) you have some university education and can always come back to finish your degree if you so choose. And, it's also something of an insurance policy - if something goes hideously, horribly wrong, you can stay on as a full time student. I seem to recall the case of a basketball player a few years back who had a scholarship to university and came down with an illness that meant his athletic career was over. He was still able to stay and finish his degree ...

-- Edited by Spectator on Tuesday 8th of July 2014 10:35:38 AM

Yes (d) is an important one, a couple of the Brits have had injuries which effectively ended their playing careers at any serious level (including for their college), but you can stay on to complete your degree.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Well done to Nicole Gibbs - good to see US Open Wildcard and, until last year, college amateur player make the third round :)

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

NB Sarah Borwell says she's been inundated with UK players signing up in the last couple of weeks. Now has 80 hopefuls (her max) on her books, + 3 reserves, for autumn 2015

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Not saying college is necessarily the 'right' route - obviously not for eveyone - but re the Greg R/Tim Henman arguments on the other threads as to what 'duty' people have to give back to tennis, and whether being paid handsomely by the LTA negates the kudos you get for 'giving back', here's a mention for Sarah who believes passionately that she is doing the best thing to help UK tennis, and is doing it on her own, and turning down the chance to make more bucks so she can stay focused purely on her goal of improving GB tennis:

"Ive been asked many times if I will ever branch out and help other nationalities or do other sports. I get told it would be a great business model and l would make so much more money!

Yes I probably would but would my product be as good? No. I would resemble every other placement firm who does every sport, every nationality and I would be losing sight of my main goal - To help British tennis and its junior players.

Hope to look back in 10 years time and see that the 50% drop out rate of 15 yr old Brits has halved and we are bringing 10 players out of college a year onto the Pro Tour."

Spectator · All-time great

Thanks for that quote, CD.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Lovely picture of Pippa Horn, and a round-up of good wins for her and her teammates, over nationally-ranked players

www.texassports.com/news/2014/9/14/WTEN_0914140602.aspx

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

In the SEC Fall Classic, Julian Cash (MSU) won his R64 match and his R32 match, but lost his R16 match ....