4 answers
Kira
Student
Mansfield, Texas
1
Question
Asked
623 views
what is a good HBCU for tennis players that had good academics?
I am a black female who plays tennis I would like to go to an HBCU but am not quite sure what school to attend
Login to comment
4 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kira !
This is a very good question and I am excited for you wanting to become a professional tennis player. Keep in mind that you should choose whichever college you'd like, one that has a good program for your major, not tennis. You will be able to sharpen your athletic skills for tennis other ways by choosing tennis to fulfill your Physical Ed general ed requirements and also participate in tennis off campus. There are also online tennis professional courses and certifications that you can consider based on how far you'd want to take this. Most tennis players who go to college obtain a Bachelors Degree in a subject. Serena Williams, for instance, went to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Florida and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Fashion.
If you want to go to an Historically Black College or University, you may want to attend Howard University in Washington D.C. As with this and any other college, you will have to review their athletics offerings. I pick Howard first because I had three professors who went there and they were outstanding. But one would have to know about tennis opportunities of each college in order to choose one that offers the most and that is something you can do by exploring the websites of all the HBCUs.
I would also recommend Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia as a second runner up. I left the link for their website below so you can explore their athletics offerings.
If you want to stay in-state for college, there are 9 HBCUs in Texas. Three are public colleges: Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University and St. Philip’s College. The other six are private colleges: Texas College, Wiley College, Huston-Tillotson University, Jarvis Christian College, Paul Quinn College and Southwestern Christian College. Read the websites of all of these colleges if you plan to stay in Texas as a college student and see which one you like best.
To focus on training for tennis, you can go to three places in Mansfield to do this which are off campus. Explore opportunities at Mansfield Area Tennis Association (MATA), Mansfield Activities Center and the Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club. If you decide to attend Howard, Spellman or one of the other HBCUs, you can then explore similar opportunities in that community for tennis.
You have four places to inquire at in Mansfield for Tennis coaching. Try Play Your Court (link is below). The website Lessons has a list of great tennis instructors in Mansfield (link is below), and again Mansfield Area Tennis Association (MATA). Legacy High School and Clayton W. Chandler Park have tennis courts available for you to use for practice or just for fun.
You are correct in that one should choose a college for their outstanding academics because sports are something that you can always do on or off campus and train for privately. Find out how many physical education courses are required for your Bachelors Degree and see if you can take Intermediate Tennis and Advanced Tennis to fulfill those. But choosing a major would be good, whichever career you are interested in so that you can earn money as you compete in tennis if you want to go pro with tennis or any other sport. Also figure out if you want to stay in Texas or attend college out of state. That will narrow it down a bit and make it easier for you to choose a college.
Best wishes moving forward with your college plans !
HOWARD UNIVERSITY https://howard.edu/
SPELLMAN COLLEGE https://www.spelman.edu/
TENNIS COACHING PlayYourCourt.com
LIST OF TENNIS INSTRUCTORS IN MANSFIELD Lessons.com
This is a very good question and I am excited for you wanting to become a professional tennis player. Keep in mind that you should choose whichever college you'd like, one that has a good program for your major, not tennis. You will be able to sharpen your athletic skills for tennis other ways by choosing tennis to fulfill your Physical Ed general ed requirements and also participate in tennis off campus. There are also online tennis professional courses and certifications that you can consider based on how far you'd want to take this. Most tennis players who go to college obtain a Bachelors Degree in a subject. Serena Williams, for instance, went to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Florida and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Fashion.
If you want to go to an Historically Black College or University, you may want to attend Howard University in Washington D.C. As with this and any other college, you will have to review their athletics offerings. I pick Howard first because I had three professors who went there and they were outstanding. But one would have to know about tennis opportunities of each college in order to choose one that offers the most and that is something you can do by exploring the websites of all the HBCUs.
I would also recommend Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia as a second runner up. I left the link for their website below so you can explore their athletics offerings.
If you want to stay in-state for college, there are 9 HBCUs in Texas. Three are public colleges: Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M University and St. Philip’s College. The other six are private colleges: Texas College, Wiley College, Huston-Tillotson University, Jarvis Christian College, Paul Quinn College and Southwestern Christian College. Read the websites of all of these colleges if you plan to stay in Texas as a college student and see which one you like best.
To focus on training for tennis, you can go to three places in Mansfield to do this which are off campus. Explore opportunities at Mansfield Area Tennis Association (MATA), Mansfield Activities Center and the Mansfield Lawn Tennis Club. If you decide to attend Howard, Spellman or one of the other HBCUs, you can then explore similar opportunities in that community for tennis.
You have four places to inquire at in Mansfield for Tennis coaching. Try Play Your Court (link is below). The website Lessons has a list of great tennis instructors in Mansfield (link is below), and again Mansfield Area Tennis Association (MATA). Legacy High School and Clayton W. Chandler Park have tennis courts available for you to use for practice or just for fun.
You are correct in that one should choose a college for their outstanding academics because sports are something that you can always do on or off campus and train for privately. Find out how many physical education courses are required for your Bachelors Degree and see if you can take Intermediate Tennis and Advanced Tennis to fulfill those. But choosing a major would be good, whichever career you are interested in so that you can earn money as you compete in tennis if you want to go pro with tennis or any other sport. Also figure out if you want to stay in Texas or attend college out of state. That will narrow it down a bit and make it easier for you to choose a college.
Best wishes moving forward with your college plans !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
751
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
There are two HBCU's that I have worked with student transfer, and have sent students to, in order to pursue academics, and have good athletic programs and academic programs.
1. Howard University. This college is probably the best I worked with, and my students enjoyed their time in oursuing their degrees here.
2. Claflin. This college is in South Carolina, and has both excellent academic and athletic programs.
1. Howard University. This college is probably the best I worked with, and my students enjoyed their time in oursuing their degrees here.
2. Claflin. This college is in South Carolina, and has both excellent academic and athletic programs.
Rebecca G
EA
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hello! Here's a brief rundown of some of the top-performing tennis programs you might want to consider:
- North Carolina Central
- Florida A&M
- Alabama State
- Tennessee State
- Delaware State
- Jackson State
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- Shaw
- Alabama A&M
- Dillard
If you can, try to visit any of these campuses that are within easy reach for you. Plan a campus tour, arrange to meet with fellow student athletes or tennis players, and if it's the right season, request to watch a practice. Try to set up a meeting with the coaches as well.
Don't forget to touch base with your guidance counselor and the relevant college advisor. They can provide valuable insights into how you can balance and integrate your passion for athletics with your academic goals in college. They can also help you understand the impact of your academic performance on your athletic pursuits, and vice versa.
- North Carolina Central
- Florida A&M
- Alabama State
- Tennessee State
- Delaware State
- Jackson State
- Xavier University of Louisiana
- Shaw
- Alabama A&M
- Dillard
If you can, try to visit any of these campuses that are within easy reach for you. Plan a campus tour, arrange to meet with fellow student athletes or tennis players, and if it's the right season, request to watch a practice. Try to set up a meeting with the coaches as well.
Don't forget to touch base with your guidance counselor and the relevant college advisor. They can provide valuable insights into how you can balance and integrate your passion for athletics with your academic goals in college. They can also help you understand the impact of your academic performance on your athletic pursuits, and vice versa.
Octavia (Tavia) Fisher
Corporate Social Responsibility
1
Answer
Rahway, New Jersey
Updated
Octavia (Tavia)’s Answer
Hello -
It's great that you enjoy Tennis, and I wish you well on the courts. I recommend that you look into signing up for the Black College and University Tour or the Young Scholars Program. These programs offer organized tours of multiple HBCUs and opportunities to meet with admissions counselors, current students, and alumni.
Check with your Guidance Department to see if they can connect you with an organization conducting a tour. Good luck with your journey!!
It's great that you enjoy Tennis, and I wish you well on the courts. I recommend that you look into signing up for the Black College and University Tour or the Young Scholars Program. These programs offer organized tours of multiple HBCUs and opportunities to meet with admissions counselors, current students, and alumni.
Check with your Guidance Department to see if they can connect you with an organization conducting a tour. Good luck with your journey!!