USTA Tennis on Campus

U of O wins 2009 USTA Campus Championship - Pacific Northwest 

The University of Oregon (U of O) defeated Simon Fraser University this past weekend at Tualatin Hills Tennis Center in Beaverton, Ore., to capture the USTA Campus Championship – Pacific Northwest title, and earned an automatic bid to the USTA National Campus Championship in Surprise, Ariz., to be held April 15-17, 2010. The University of Oregon, runner-up Simon Fraser University and third place finisher Western Washington University will join the champions and runners up from each of the 17 USTA Sections, as well as a number of additional teams who will receive at-large bids.

The University of Oregon came out on top after defeating Simon Fraser University 28-16 in the final on Saturday, sweeping four out of five matches in the last round. Although the Ducks took the Campus Championship title, they weren’t the only winners at the Halloween-themed tournament. Whitman College won the costume contest dressing up as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

“The USTA Pacific Northwest is very proud of each and every team that participated this weekend,” said Mark Toppe, Event Tournament Director and USTA Pacific Northwest Tennis On Campus Coordinator. “The level of competition was outstanding, and the enthusiasm and camaraderie among the players is what makes this such a great event. We wish Oregon, Simon Fraser and Western Washington the best of luck in the National Campus Championship and urge other teams to submit their at-large applications as soon as possible.”

This year’s ninth annual USTA Campus Championship – Pacific Northwest event drew 21 teams from 13 colleges and universities including:

Simon Fraser University  
University of Victoria         
University of British Columbia
Western Washington University  
University of Washington   
Eastern Washington University
Central Washington University  
Whitman College    
Portland State University
Linfield College         
Oregon State University   
University or Oregon
Washington State University

USTA Campus Championships are an integral part of the highly successful USTA Tennis On Campus program. “Tennis On Campus is perfect for those athletes who do not make the jump from high school to college varsity tennis,” said Glenn Arrington, National Manager, Tennis On Campus. “We offer match play, regional and national championships, while helping students maintain an active and healthy lifestyle throughout their college years.”

Each of the 17 USTA Sections offers a USTA Campus Championship Sectional event. “The Sectional events are designed to provide a competitive opportunity to play closer to home,” said Arrington. “It’s a fun-filled weekend of co-ed team play, social networking and leadership development.” The 2008-2009 USTA Campus Championship Section Events hosted approximately 2,500 players on 315 teams from 205 different colleges and universities across the country. 

With over 350,000 students playing high school tennis and only 18,000 playing on the college varsity level, Tennis On Campus provides a tremendous opportunity for the great majority of players who want to stay with the game during college. Tennis On Campus was designed to promote and develop the growth of recreational tennis on college campuses and transition players from high school tennis into USTA League.

The National Campus Championship is the culmination of the Tennis On Campus season which features co-ed teams from more than 550 colleges and universities nationwide competing in intramural and intercollegiate tennis. Tennis On Campus provides students with a competitive environment, the opportunity for team camaraderie and social networking, all without the rigors of a varsity program.

If you'd like to start a Tennis On Campus program at your school, please continue reading below. If your school already has a Tennis On Campus program and you'd like to get involved, please click here to contact your Tennis on Campus Coordinator.

USTA launches Tennis On Campus website

The USTA has launched a new website designed to serve as a resource for the more than 450 college and universities and nearly 30,000 players across the country who participate in a Tennis On Campus program at their school. The official website of the Tennis On Campus program, www.tennisoncampus.com, will provide an array of resources, materials and information to help support the rapidly expanding non-varsity side of college tennis.

In addition to servicing current college students, tennisoncampus.com also offers an opportunity for high school tennis players, junior players and their parents to become more informed of the tennis “scene” on a particular campus. The site features team profiles, links to each team’s website and popular Facebook pages. All college club teams are encouraged to visit the website to build or update their profiles, contact one another, share tips and set up matches.

Some of the free downloadable resources available on the site include customizable marketing materials, fundraising resources, tips for tennis club leaders, and a guidebook for starting a club tennis team. The site also lists upcoming tournaments like the USTA Campus Championship – Sectional Events and a countdown to the USTA National Campus Championship in Surprise, Arizona in April 2009.

USTA Tennis On Campus in the Pacific Northwest

Throughout the Pacific Northwest, college students are becoming a part of exciting coed tennis action that keeps their competitive fire burning and offers some serious fun, too.