An International Flavor: My column in this month's Racquet Sports Industry
I've written enough here on the topic of foreign players in U.S. colleges to leave no doubt where I stand on the issue for regular readers. But I was given the opportunity to reach another audience, that of Racquet Sports Industry, and I jumped at the chance to clarify and amplify my thoughts on this very controversial subject. The column is available online by clicking here.
There has been an no-holds-barred discussion raging over at Underground Tennis that addresses many of the issues I mention, and some I've never even considered. Every popular tennis message board has its own version of this debate. Here's a thread from Tennis Warehouse.
It's rather strange to write an opinion piece that comes out strongly in favor of the status quo. Those who want scholarship limits for international players have a much tougher task; they must issue calls to action and get the current rules changed. I hope they don't succeed.
3 comments:
Great story, Colette. Just some of the many sides to the foreign player discussion that I'm glad to see out there.
It is not a question of foreign or American. It is a question of pro or amateur.
The rules in the NCAA prohibit professionals.
If the foreign or American player is a pro he is not allowed to compete.
The problem with most foreign players is by nature they are pros.
Meaning the play for $$$ not only in prize tournaments but on Euro clubs.
It shouldn't be that hard to police, but it is.
If a foreign player is truly an amateur - let him play--if an American or foreign player is a pro-don't let them play -- that is the NCAA rule for now.
More propoganda from the foreign front in college tennis. Clearly if your livelihood is derived by wins and loses, then you surely dont care where your atheletes come from. If the kid is 25 and professional, no problem, just win matches. But the bigger question, I believe, is what is role of college tennis? If it is merely a minor league for the ATP tour, then why have any restrictions at all. That will make the tennis even better than it is already. For that matter, some might argue that baseball is better with steroids than without. Is it only about performance? Some argue it is. I think college tennis, should be in part about opportunity. And by that I mean opportunity for both american and international kids. But like admission policies that favor in state kids and legacies, I think the system should favor american kids. Please explain why so many college tennis programs have been eliminated the past few years? The answer I normally get is Title IX and lack of alumni support. I believe alumni are more likely to donate when they realize that local kids benefit from their support. Take some time to look up the rosters of the major D1 programs, the number of international kids has increased significantly over the past few years. Combine that with the loss of several dozen programs and the opportunities for american kids are fewer than ever. I think the path that college tennis is on now will lead to the elimination of even more programs. Is this "better than ever" as Coach Wright would have us believe?
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