The round of 16 in Men’s NCAA Division I tennis, play today. A quick survey of the team’s starting lineups, excepting Ohio State, feature about 90% international players. Assuming the ones who are starters get the scholarsips, they also get 90% of the grants. And NIL/Portal cash.

This is the link to the ITA  Statement

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MWiaejUXfubelwdH2JQD4bzwSrVJ3_MxWhQq8Qa-OWM/edit?tab=t.0

Author’s comments on specific points are in RED

One topic that has received increased attention is the role of international student-athletes in college tennis. This is a complex matter and requires more nuanced public discourse.

This is not a new problem, nor is it limited to tennis.

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There are presently approximately 20,000 college tennis student-athletes. It should be noted that without international student-athletes, many programs would struggle to field full rosters. Efforts to limit their participation risk undermining competitiveness, reducing institutional revenue, and ultimately threatening the viability of programs themselves. This is not a hypothetical concern; this is playing out in real time. Recent developments in Idaho, for example, underscore these broader concerns. Athletic directors and coaches across the state strongly opposed proposed legislation (ID S1357) that would have capped international student-athlete scholarships at 10%. Ultimately, the legislation did not pass, but it highlighted how policy decisions can directly threaten the viability of college tennis programs. Efforts to cap international student athlete participation in any U.S. college sport may also run afoul of existing federal and state laws and regulations, risking increased litigation and costs. 

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THE HEART OF THE MATTER: SCHOLARSHIPS  FOR AMERICANS

Is it illegal or unreasonable to award a percentage of scholarships to our youngsters first?

The issue has never been litigated: (  “…may run afoul” and “…risking litigation” ) 

For 50 plus years any allotment or quota that saved scholarships was dismissed by a lawsuit feared;  a threat based on “ discrimination based on national origin. “ 

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Age disparities, particularly cases involving significantly older incoming international student-athletes, have drawn understandable review. The NCAA is expected to address eligibility rules in the near future, and moving forward, there must be a fair and consistent framework in which all student-athletes, both domestic and international, compete on equal footing.

The age issue is another variable that hampers our kids in no small way.  It will soon dawn on other global sports, most significantly Basketball, they are also in the crosshairs.  

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For those who care about the future of college tennis, there is also a role to play. Supporting local programs through attendance, advocacy, and financial contributions helps ensure these opportunities remain available for future generations. Sustained visibility and investment are critical to the long-term health of our sport.

These variables are directly related to American children., parents and taxpayers–the very people excluded.  

Isn’t it about time some of our organizations screw up their courage and use their time, money and efforts to make these facts available to American 

parents and players.  CHANGE THE TERMS AND RE-TRY THE ISSUE!

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Mr. Rudy Washington, Editor-in-Chief The BCA Journal (BLACK COACHES ASSOCIATION)
P. O. Box 4040
Culver City, CA 90231-4040
Dear M.r Washington:
I’ve coached college tennis for 30-plus years and I have been dismayed by the preponderance of international players who have usurped many tennis scholarships from American youngsters.
There seems to be a trend toward this in basketball. Has the BCA addressed the danger to American student athletes this poses, in particular college basketball. Should there be a limit to this?
If your Journal has addressed this issue, please let me know. It seems basketball is a game that this should concern.
ETP:1h
Sincerely,
Tom Parham
Men’s Tennis Coach
March 9, 1998

Last week more colleges and universities announced dropping varsity tennis teams than anytime in memory.  Several reasons were:

1. Expense    2. Title IX   3. The new rules (Portal/NIL )   4. Non Revenue, etc. 

Years back I realized this–

“I wonder how many Athletic Directors silently came to a conclusion similar to this? 1. All sports are counted in the standings for our ‘Conference Cup’? 2. We are in a conference with mostly good tennis teams with all foreign  players.  And we give the 8 girls and 4 and 1/2 boys grants to internationals. 3. I can find a better place for that size of budget.

Like a lot of sports, many tennis teams  dominate winning to the DYNASTY level. Those programs become the model.  

Many conference members have followed this path to the point that almost all the members of most conferences feature 90% of scholarships going to international players. 

Some hard facts emerge:

1.  If all members do this, only one team wins.  Often the same teams win repeatedly.
2.  It is like a poker game where you always ante up but never win. 

This may be OK for bragging rights and egos of the oil barons and tech billionaires, but last week several “folded”.