Guide To Chicagoland Tennis
The College Tennis Scene in Chicago Individual success is part of the thrill of playing
The Chicago State Cougars play their home
competitive tennis. Playing for a team in the
matches at the H-F Racquet and Fitness Club
process adds to the excitement and personal
in Homewood or the Park Forest Health and
pleasure. Having a team of players to root
Fitness Club in Park Forest. The Cougars play in
for adds creates a thrilling environment for
the Western Athletic Conference.
spectators. College tennis in the Chicagoland area is a thriving sport. The area is home more than two dozen schools that host men’s and
Lewis University in Romeoville is the Chicago area’s only DII tennis program. There are
women’s tennis teams in all NCAA divisions..
numerous DIII schools in the area, and most
In the Chicagoland area, there are four NCAA
include Concordia University Chicago,
DI schools, some of which have enjoyed
Dominican University, Elmhurst University,
impressive results in their conference and
Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest
have competitive tennis teams. The schools
nationally. The Northwestern University
College, North Central College, North Park
Wildcats play their indoor home matches at
University, University of Chicago, University of
the Combe Tennis Center in Evanston which
St. Francis-Joliet, and Wheaton College.
includes six courts and balcony seating for 300 which allows spectators to watch every match concurrently. The Northwestern women won the Big Ten title for 11 consecutive seasons from 1999-2009 and are always in the top half of the conference. Northwestern last won the Big Ten men’s title in 1990. The DePaul Blue Demons play in the Big East conference. Their indoor home matches are played at XS Tennis Village. The Blue Demons men’s team won its first Big East championship in 2021. The University of Illinois-Chicago men and women Flames play their home indoor matches at XS Tennis Village also and their outdoor matches on the school’s campus. The Flames play in the Horizon League. From 1997-2013, the UIC women won the league title.
Coach Marisa Arce talks to members of her DePaul Women's tennis team. (DePaul Athletics Photo)
The National Intercollege Athletic Association (NAIA) is a smaller association than the NCAA, with just over 60,000 student athletes. Judson University, Roosevelt University, and University of St. Francis-Illinois are Chicago 19
