Special from
Scholarship For Athletes
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The University of Iowa men's tennis team had a lackluster year in 2013-14, posting a 1-10 record in the Big 10 conference play and a 9-15 record overall. One year later, former NCAA All-American and national doubles champion Ross Wilson has taken the reins as interim head coach - energizing the Hawkeyes with new recruits and a more aggressive style of play.
Ross Greenstein of Scholarship for Athletes sat down with Coach Wilson to talk about recruiting as well as college tennis.
Questions and Answers
Ross Greenstein (RG): At SFA, we try to explain to our clients that the recruiting process is like being on three year job interview; is that how you view the recruiting process?
Ross Wilson (RW): The recruiting process is very much like an interview. Coaches are constantly trying to find out information through conversations and interactions they have with the recruits, their parents, and coaches. In addition coaches are looking at how kids interact with their peers at tournaments. Coaches are making large financial commitments and it is important to gain as much information as possible.
RG: What advice do you have for the parents of high school student athletes about the recruiting process?
RW: Find a school where your son or daughter is comfortable with the coaches, players, and campus. The most important thing to do when choosing a school is to take an official visit and live the life of the a student athlete on that campus for 48 hours. Kids will learn a lot about the coaches, players, students, and campus just by being there and experiencing it. Also find a school that your son or daughter will be able to play in the starting lineup right away. The only way to improve in tennis is to play in the matches that count. Lastly, realize that the size of the scholarship a coach offers you signifies how big of a part of the program they will be.
RG: Assuming that they have the academics and tennis level to attend your school, when should junior players begin to contact you or send you their resume?
RW: I would like players to contact me at the end of their sophomore year or at the beginning of their junior year in high school.
