USTA Eastern Hosts 29th Annual College Showcase Day

November 10, 2015 | By Brian Coleman

USTA Eastern hosted its 29th Annual College Showcase Day at the Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco, N.Y. this past weekend, bringing together college coaches and high school tennis players for a day of match play, seminars and much more.

“I think the people who attend this event are here because they realize they need more information about the college recruiting process,” said Julie Bliss Beal, USTA Eastern’s senior director of competition. “And the coaches who are here know what spots they need to fill on their teams.”

More than 60 college coaches and programs set up shop at the club to talk to and meet high school juniors and seniors who are thinking of playing tennis at the collegiate level. The group of players was divided into juniors and seniors, and were able to hear seminars from people of all collegiate backgrounds, as well as participate in match play on the courts throughout the club.

"It's a great opportunity for potential student athletes, parents and coaches to network and help the families through the process of getting into college and being part of a collegiate team," said Lonnie Mitchel, head coach at SUNY Oneonta. "Each year I attend, SUNY Oneonta is able to secure one or two players who have collegiate talent who I might not have seen otherwise. It's also great for college coaches to network with each other and stay updated with the latest in collegiate tennis."

The seminars were an important tool for both the kids and their parents, as they heard from Eric Butorac, a professional tennis player who reached the men’s doubles final at the 2014 Australian Open and currently serves as president of the ATP Player Council; Jaime Kenney, a former collegiate head coach who currently serves as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s (ITA) director of member programs; and Stephanie McCaine, who is director of admissions at SUNY Purchase.

Each brought their own unique experiences and perspectives to the seminar, which allowed the attendees to hear from all sides of the college recruiting process.

“It’s very important because kids will hear information they wouldn’t find on the internet or through other college resources,” said Bliss Beal. “To have experts stand up and talk to the kids and parents about what their journey was like, they get that touch point, and that is invaluable.”

McCaine discussed the admissions process into college, while Kenney talked about her time as a college coach and what the ITA offers, and Butorac talked about his route from a Division I player to Division III, and ultimately a career in professional tennis.

“It provides a great opportunity for kids to learn in several different ways,” said Kelsey Clark, coordinator of public relations and communications at USTA Eastern. “Having a professional player speak is important because it gives the kids someone to look up to, especially someone who played Division III tennis. It shows they can attain anything, regardless of the Division I, Division II or Division III title.”

The event is a valuable resource for players, parents and coaches, and helps fill in the gaps that exist sometimes in the recruiting process while also answering a lot of important questions for those looking to play college tennis.

“An event like this can help kids decide if they want to play college tennis,” said Bliss Beal. “It’s for players of all levels and abilities. They could play third doubles on their high school team and be able to find a school where they fit in the lineup. The fact that they can meet more than 60 college coaches in one place is remarkable.”

 

SUNY Purchase Director of Admissions Stephanie McCaine talks to kids and parents about the college admissions process

 

Eric Butorac discusses his journey from D-III player to the Pro Tour and to his current role as president of the ATP Player Council

 

Jaime Kenney, director of member programs for the ITA, talks about her time as a college coach and what the ITA offers to college athletes

 

Players were able to get on court for match play to showcase their skills to prospective college coaches


Brian Coleman

 Brian Coleman is the Senior Editor for New York Tennis Magazine. He may be reached at brianc@usptennis.com

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