Tennis Briefs: USTA Unveils Tennis Management Degree Partnership; More

UCF Partners with USTA for Professional Tennis Management Degree in Orlando

An artist’s rendering of the USTA National Campus in Orlando

Beginning in the Fall semester of 2016, students at the University of Central Florida will be able to study Professional Tennis Management (PTM) thanks to a new educational partnership between the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

The specialization study will be housed under the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree program and include instruction at both Rosen College and the USTA National Campus in Orlando, the “New Home of American Tennis” which is slated to be completed in late 2016. Students will benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities, internship opportunities and world-class hospitality management training.

“It is essential to provide professional development opportunities for students pursuing a career in the tennis industry,” said Scott Schultz, USTA managing director. “We are proud to partner with UCF to ensure the development of the next generation of tennis industry leaders in the sport.”

Rosen College students who select the track will receive a strong academic foundation in hospitality management education and complete three paid internships in the tennis industry. The USTA will provide specialized training in the sport, synchronized with their internship experiences. Graduates will be well equipped for fulfilling careers as tennis teaching professionals, club managers, directors of tennis or other business roles associated with the industry.

Dr. Jill Fjelstul, a former PGA golf pro and coach, has been named director of hospitality in sports and will oversee the PTM track. She previously developed Rosen College’s golf and club management curriculum and designed the first online education courses for the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals Division.

The USTA National Campus in Orlando is located on 63 acres and will feature more than 100 tennis courts, a tennis pro shop, fitness area, locker rooms, player lounge, cafeteria and offices. The site will house a collegiate tennis center capable of hosting a number of college events, and will serve as the home for the University of Central Florida’s men’s and women’s varsity teams.

For more information about Rosen College’s Professional Tennis Management Track visit www.hospitality.ucf.edu/tennis.

Upcoming ‘Inside Tennis with the Koz’ to Feature USTA Florida Volunteers, John Isner, More

The latest episode of “Inside Tennis With The Koz,” which premieres Jan. 9 at 2:30 p.m. on the Suncoast News Network in Florida, is now available online, featuring interviews with recent USTA Florida Annual Awards winners Dave Brown, Susan Allshouse, and Sherry Wheelock of Special Olympics Florida.

The tennis organizer and teaching pro Brown was the recipient of the USTA Florida Male Merit Award for his long-time service in the tennis industry, as was the school tennis wiz and trainer Allshouse with the Female Merit Award. Wheelock received the Edward A. Turville President’s Award for a partnership with USTA Florida and the USTA Florida Foundation that resulted in Special Olympics Tennis participation in the state increasing more than 100 percent.

“There are now a record number of Special Olympics Florida athletes playing tennis, and it was only possible through the generosity of USTA Florida which provided equipment as well as volunteer coaches and training,” Wheelock said.

Also featured is Tampa’s John Isner’s participation in the FARA Ace for a Cure fundraiser, the Wilson/ITA college coaches of the year, the Laurel Oak Country Club exhibition with Jimmy Arias, David MacPherson and the University of South Florida’s Dominic Cotrone, and more.

Watch the episode . . .