Poll: Do you want to see college tennis on TV? Please vote

[10ismom]

Wonder if parents, juniors, coaches and tennis lovers would like to see college tennis on TV. I believe that if there are enough responses, this could happen.

We have several college sports on TV but even with Tennis Channel dedicated to tennis.....no college tennis.
The recent NCAA tennis championship matches were only available on poor quality live stream via internet, unlike when the Tennis channel TV showed Davis cup or world team tennis matches.

Several juniors and parents frequent this forum may have college tennis, not pro tennis as their goal.
Since there are already several pro matches to watch, don't you think it is time for juniors to be able to watch college tennis too.
Seeing the level/caliber of college players and the atmosphere is a must in junior (on college track) development IMO.

Please vote and feel free to chime in.

[TENNIS4FUN2]

I think it would be inspiring for juniors to see what is possible with college tennis.

[10ismom]

Colette Lewis(zootennis) interviewed U of Florida head coach Roland Thornqvist for a recent article on Tennisrecruiting network. Colette asked if he could change one thing in college tennis, what would it be?

Here is a quote from what he said
"It's very simple. We have to be on TV. That should be our only mission. There are different theories on how to achieve that, but I feel we spend a lot of time talking about some marginal things when we get together that has no effect on the standing of our sport nationally. We need to compete with softball or Lacrosse, whatever else is on TV. If we do that, salaries will go up, kids will want to play college tennis more, you enhance the student-athlete experience. The two matches that we were on ESPN, the 2010 championship and the 2011 championship did so much for our program in our community. The awareness went through the roof from the two matches. We have a Tennis channel that shows 24/7 and we're not on it. And I just don't understand that"

Here is the link to this article.
http://www.tennisrecruiting.net/article.asp?id=1451

Don't forget to cast your vote!

[TennisNinja]

I would honestly rather watch college tennis than something like world team tennis.

[10ismom]

Hello fellow posters,

Please take a little time to cast your vote on this issue.

I started a thread at tennisinsiders.com college forum trying to get Steve Bellamy (Tennis Channel) to respond.
Not much success there so far.
http://tennisinsiders.com/forums/top...ould-be-on-tv/

I'd like to get some numbers of votes here (50+ would be nice) and will email Tennis Channel, ESPN, or?? for a request for college tennis to be
on TV.
A little market survey for them might help make the case.

Please give me any suggestions or contact info you may have.

[goran_ace]

As a former college player, I loved playing the team format, but it just is not a TV-friendly format (and it's hard enough to get decent pro coverage on TV outside the slams). If you want to expose juniors to college tennis, bring them to see the matches live. Support your local team in person. It would mean a lot to the players.

[widmerpool]

I would like to see it.

It's a challenge with the concurrent matches but that's no different than early rounds.

I suppose it would be a challenge to cover multiple courts with cameras.

[10ismom]

Originally Posted by goran_ace

As a former college player, I loved playing the team format, but it just is not a TV-friendly format (and it's hard enough to get decent pro coverage on TV outside the slams). If you want to expose juniors to college tennis, bring them to see the matches live. Support your local team in person. It would mean a lot to the players.

Agree with nothing beats watching live college matches. We've tried to do that locally and will try more.
Having matches available on TV helps because you can watch other college teams and different divisions as well.
Tennis channel sometimes shows pro matches in a very small tournament somewhere in this world. I'd rather watch college tennis or even some Futures, Challenger Events in the US. Those players need our support.

For the college format, I agree it is hard to cover. I would not be worrying about that right now.

Once it gets the foot in the door, it will work out.

[10ismom]

I hope one day........

College tennis is so popular and we don't have to worry more men's team getting cut.

College teams get paid to be on TV

and NCAA tennis championship televised live like the Rose Bowl game.

[10ismom]

Originally Posted by 10ismom

I hope one day........

College tennis is so popular and we don't have to worry more men's team getting cut.

Another college just dropped both men's and women's tennis teams. How sad

Here is a piece on Manhattanvile, DIII college in NY dropping both tennis teams and the ITA director's plea to save the teams.
http://tennisinsiders.com/forums/top...am-going-away/

[10ismom]

I know everyone is enjoying the Wimbledon.

The poll is still open.
Please cast your vote whether you want to also watch college tennis (for various reasons) on TV or not.

I plan to email a request and this survey to Tennis channel, ESPN and Direct TV in 1-2 wks.

Thanks