Introducing the 2007 USF Men's Tennis Team

The Men's Tennis team is off to a strong start this Spring and looks to contend for the WCC Championship. Currently holding a record of 5-2, the Dons have had key WCC Conference wins over Loyola Marymount and Gonzaga as well as Northern Arizona University, University of Hawaii, and a closely contested match last night against UC Davis. Here is some information on each player.

A little history of college tennis and the WCC conference

We have started our season as most have noticed but it's early and tough to say where all the WCC teams will shake out in the scheme of things. The West Coast Conference has been historically dominated by Pepperdine University who has a history of elite tennis teams. Last season they won the National Championship, a feat not done before by them or a school in the WCC or a school with such modest demographics. Unless you are a tennis buff you may not realize the true monopoly that has been produced in men's college tennis. Remember -- most of what we reference has to do with (open era tennis) post 1970's. This mainly has to do with the regulation of the structure and it's relationship to todays game -- not to discredit those before that era. Back to my original point --- only 8 teams have ever won the (modern) NCAA men's championship. Those teams are Stanford, Georgia, UCLA, USC, Trinity(before going back to DIII), Illinois, Baylor, and Pepperdine. This span is over a 37 year period. The last 3 names on the list have done this in the last 5 seasons. Could there be a reason?

Last season and the long ago

Those that didn't follow us last season - We were able to finish the season very strong pulling a major upset over Santa Clara in the WCC tournament to capture 3rd place in the West Coast Conference. This was the second time for a 3rd place finish in the WCC (the last being the 2003 team). USF has only finished higher than 3rd place one time in it's not so recent history. The last time was 1982 (finished 2nd after Pepperdine) but it wasn't the same conference (WCAC). It's tough to compare eras of teams and frankly it not fair to do so. USF's (coach Chuck White) early teams in the 1980's fielded some outstanding players and probably the last NCAA (ranked) caliber team. At that time only 16 teams were invited to the NCAA's and only 8 probably had the real funding to compete for a title. When USF won the (NCAA) National Championships in 1949 --it was before the open era of tennis and scholarships were unlimited (literally no limits) and technically you didn't have to be a full time student at the University and there were no regulations put on graduating from the University. Although not ever fully acknowledged USF may have had one the best teams ever to be assembled. The names read like a whose who of tennis and especially for the long time california elite tennis community. The reality to it is they were in a league of their own and deserve all the honors bestowed upon them.

At Last......A National Ranking

Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Morning Madness, Double Days, the Norwegian Drill,and 2 on 1's have all contributed to this historic day for the University of San Francisco Men's Tennis. At last we have reached a milestone reaching a national ranking of #73 in the country. Some may think nothing of it but believe me there have been many days of practice,dual matches, players going through the program, coaches coming and going and most importantly lots of hardwork, but one thing remains constant and that is Coach Bartlett has been there since day one. From the days of 1 and 1/2 scholarships to a fully funded program to the days of SCU doubling up on us for dual matches along with a former Cal player calling us a "community college" the program has definitely come a long ways.Thank you Coach once again for your dedication,your commitment,and the sacrifices you have made to reach this illustrious day.We are only getting started. To the 2006-2007 Dons keep up the hardwork and go beat Santa Clara. Go Dons!!!

A glimse into the 2007 team and season (much more)

This blog is designed to give details about the USF Men's Tennis program and has been constructed for supporters and tennis alumni. You will get personal interviews w/ the players, a little chalk talk w/ the coaches, and many more surprises. It also will give you an idea as to why the USF Men's Tennis team is one of the greatest turnaround teams in USF Athletics history even though few care to recognize it. If you are a former player --stay tuned for some blasts to the past and some great photos of past USF teams.