The USTA Summer Collegiate Teams were created by the USTA and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) in 1996 to provide elite training and playing opportunities for the top American collegiate tennis players. The program is designed to provide players with valuable exposure to the professional circuit in a team-oriented environment. Starting in 2011, due to the year round nature of Pro Circuit play, the team name was changed from the USTA Summer Collegiate Team to the USTA Collegiate Team.
The men’s team is comprised of 12 men and two coaches. Team members receive grant money to play in USTA Pro Circuit events throughout the summer. Players selected to the team are required to commit to a full summer schedule of training and USTA Pro Circuit tournament play. Players receive coaching and training throughout the summer, courtesy of USTA Player Development.
The roster spots are by the selection committee, which is comprised of USTA Player Development staff, USTA National Coaches, ITA staff and current collegiate coaches. The committee utilizes the following criteria in making their selections:
- ITA final national ranking
- ITA national event results
- NCAA individual results
- Dual-match results and NCAA team tournament performance
- ATP ranking and results
- Talent and desire to play professional tennis
- Doubles ability and results
- Sportsmanship and attitude
During the summer, USTA Player Development hosts one Pro Tour Transition Camp for team members as preparation for the clay-court summer events.
USTA Collegiate Team coaches are selected from a pool of current head and assistant college coaches. Selected coaches must commit to the following:
- Assisting the national cCoaching staff with planning and execution of the Pro Tour Transition Camp
- Six weeks of tournament on-site coaching and training of team members
- Overseeing team members’ tournament schedule design
- Monitoring team members’ progress