Texas State club teams to compete for 2013 USTA national tennis title

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
April 4, 2013

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced Texas State University as one of the top 64 co-ed intramural and sport club tennis teams that have qualified to represent colleges and universities across the country in the 2013 USTA Tennis On Campus National Championship, which will be played in Surprise, Ariz., April 11-13.

The Bobcats club team of more than 50 active members has been together since 2005 and earned a bid to Nationals for the fifth consecutive season this year. The group prides itself on being more than student-athletes by helping their community both on and off the tennis courts. The team hosts charity tournament fundraisers, their campus’ Relay for Life, Bobcat Build and contribute community service hours at the local soup kitchen, animal shelter and homeless shelter.

“Not only are we pumped for competing,” said team captain Melissa Starck, “but also, for some of us, this is the only time we get to see the friends we have made from other schools by attending Nationals for the past 5 years.”

The USTA Tennis On Campus program features more than 35,000 college students competing nationwide in intramural and intercollegiate coed club play. Since its inception in 2000, Tennis On Campus has grown significantly and today is played on more than 600 college campuses across the country.

“The Tennis On Campus National Championship is the most exciting and successful recreational college tennis event in the country, “said Glenn Arrington, national manager of USTA Tennis On Campus. “The Championship offers students a well-rounded experience of competition and fun in a social atmosphere—setting it apart from varsity programs. Having the opportunity to compete at Nationals is a memorable milestone in our players’ college experience.”

This year, seven schools will make their debut at Nationals in a field that also includes defending champion University of California-Berkeley and five-time national champion Texas A&M (which won titles in 2002 and 2004-2007). All teams participating in the Tennis On Campus National Championship have advanced through USTA section championship play.

Developed by the USTA in partnership with NIRSA, World TeamTennis and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the Tennis On Campus program gives college students the opportunity to build leadership skills, network in a coed sports environment and compete on a college team without the rigors of playing in a varsity program. With year-round match play, and regional and national championship competition, students maintain active and healthy lifestyles through their college years.

Visit the Tennis On Campus website at www.tennisoncampus.com for complete results, stories and photos. The Tennis On Campus website also offers all college clubs fundraising resources, coaching tips, and marketing materials.

For more information, contact Sarah Houseknecht, Brener Zwikel & Associates at sarahh@bzapr.com or (716) 904-0665, or Trina Singian, USTA Corporate Communications at singian@usta.com or (914) 697-2223.