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Scholarship for Athletes
When trying to find a college that will be a perfect fit, there are many academic, social, and athletic factors that must be considered. Let's take a more in-depth look at one of the most important factors of a schools tennis program: the opportunity to receive playing time. Playing time is a factor that can make - or break - your collegiate tennis career. There are two extremes when it comes to playing time, and there are many points in between. The goal is to know what you want, and what to expect from your program.
Before we discuss the role of playing time in choosing a college, lets look back at last years recruits, the class of 2007. We have researched the top #50 men's and women's tennis players from 2007 and the position they played in their first college season.
These tables show each player's spot in the lineup at the end of the 2008 spring season. Players listed as N/A are not in school for one reason or another - they could be playing professional tennis or beginning their collegiate career this coming fall. Factors such as injury, illness, or academic ineligibility could have led to a player being on the bench. Moreover, the charts do not include athletes who are playing only doubles for their respective team.
Taking those factors into account, it is still shocking how many of the top players in the nation from just a year ago did not break into the top 6 consistently as freshmen. 22 of the top 100 athletes were unable to crack the starting lineup by the end of their first collegiate season. More players (22) were on the bench then those that played first and second singles combined (21). Even the most highly touted, highly recruited athletes need to consider playing time as they navigate the recruiting process.
Finding a college that will afford you ample playing time is all about expectations. You can either:
1) Choose a school where you will be expecting to compete for a spot in the starting lineup because the talent level at that school is greater than, or equal to, your talent level
OR
2) Choose a school where you will be expecting to excel on the team and in the conference because the talent level at that school is less than, or equal to, your talent level
In situation 1, your tennis game will continue to improve as you compete daily in practice against players who are better than you. At prestigious tennis programs, the improvement in your game due to the great coaching staff and hitting partners could be more important than playing time. This can give collegiate athletes the opportunity to excel in off-season pro-level tournaments. At most of the top schools, some of the best matches of the year take place on the practice courts.
It is also important to note that many recruits use tennis as a means to achieving a greater goal. For example, an athlete sitting on the bench at an Ivy league school may be content to be receiving an education at one of the premier academic schools in the nation.
Once again, it is all about expectations. Now if a recruit went to an Ivy League school expecting to start, only to arrive and find out they were not good enough to crack the top 6, that would be a major disappointment.
If an athlete does not compete as a freshman, there is a chance that they will always be fighting for a spot in the lineup. Schools try to recruit better players every year, and college tennis is only becoming deeper and more competitive due to the influx of international players. While we mentioned that bench players can improve just from practicing, players in the lineup will improve with every match, and the gap between the lineup and the bench will grow.
While some kids will display patience in that situation, willing to fight for a spot, many kids will become discouraged. This can often lead to athletes quitting tennis or transferring to another school.
Some recruits will not be content unless they are not only starting, but excelling on their college team. They want the opportunity to stand out on their team as a star, play the best players in the conference, and carry their team to conference championships.
These opportunities will be the reality for the kids who have chosen path #2. Rather than having to compete at an ultra-competitive program, these athletes will put themselves in a position to achieve great success on a slightly lower level. The success that a student-athlete achieves on the tennis court can be the most rewarding experience of their entire collegiate experience.
At the end of the day, if you're an athlete looking at prospective programs, you need to ask yourself some tough questions Are you someone who will feel dejected without playing time? Or will you improve at a stretch school and play better tennis later? Do you have the patience to battle 1, 2, or 3 years to get into the lineup, or are you looking for instant gratification? Would you enjoy the spotlight of starring for a lesser known program, or the fight of competing for a spot in the lineup on a prestigious team?
No two recruits are the same. Every athlete has different needs, including the above. Of course, there are many other factors as well - academics, coach, teammates, facilities, proximity to home, climate, etc. You need to figure out what factors are important to you - and then pick the school best-suited for you. Hopefully this article will help you understand that playing time should absolutely be one of the factors you consider in your college search.