The College Tennis Scene in Chicagoland

The College Tennis Scene in Chicago

Individual success is part of the thrill of playing competitive tennis. Playing for a team in the process adds to the excitement and personal pleasure. Having a team of players to root for adds creates a thrilling environment for 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 women’s tennis teams in all NCAA divisions..

In the Chicagoland area, there are four NCAA DI schools, some of which have enjoyed impressive results in their conference and nationally. The Northwestern University Wildcats play their indoor home matches at the Combe Tennis Center in Evanston which 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. The Chicago State Cougars play their home matches at the H-F Racquet and Fitness Club in Homewood or the Park Forest Health and Fitness Club in Park Forest. The Cougars play in the Western Athletic Conference.

Lewis University in Romeoville is the Chicago area’s only DII tennis program. There are numerous DIII schools in the area, and most have competitive tennis teams. The schools include Concordia University Chicago, Dominican University, Elmhurst University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Lake Forest College, North Central College, North Park University, University of Chicago, University of St. Francis-Joliet, and Wheaton College.

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

Jesus Perez Plaza prepares to hit a backhand in a Chicago State University match. (Chicago State Athletics Photo)

area NAIA schools who play several other Illinois-based schools in the Chicagoland Conference.

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) includes Chicago area teams at the College of Dupage, College of Lake County, Elgin Community College, McHenry County College, Moraine Valley Community College, Oakton Community College, Prairie State College, and Waubonsee Community College.

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is the national governing body for all collegiate tennis in the United States. It has held national indoor championships at both Midtown Athletic Club and at XS TennisVillage in Chicago. These events are outstanding opportunities to see high level tennis up close and personal. In the fall of 2021, the 11th annual River Forest Collegiate Invitational was held hosting collegiate teams from Northern Illinois, St. Louis University, University of Illinois-Chicago, Xavier of Ohio, Youngstown State, Illinois State, Eastern Illinois, and Washington University in St. Louis.

For former college tennis players, the ITA has a chapter of the College Tennis Alumni Network representing the greater Chicago area. This is volunteer-led group that helps former college tennis players in the area connect through events and other resources. Learn more at www.wearecollegetenniså.com/college-tennisalumni-network.