Collegiate Tennis Teams Earn ITA All-Academic Honors, Multiple Scholar-Athlete Awards
Men’s and women’s tennis squads at six universities were named to the ITA All‑Academic Team, with dozens of players also receiving scholar‑athlete recognition.
- NCCU men’s tennis joins ITA All‑Academic Team; six Eagles become Scholar‑Athletes.
- UNC Greensboro women’s tennis sweeps Scholar‑Athlete honors alongside All‑Academic selection.
- Four JMU women’s tennis players earn Scholar‑Athlete status; team also named All‑Academic.
- George Mason women’s tennis sees seven Patriots recognized as Scholar‑Athletes.
Across the Division I landscape, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced a wave of All‑Academic Team selections that highlighted both athletic performance and scholastic achievement. Six schools saw their men’s or women’s squads earn the distinction, while a total of 28 players were also honored as ITA Scholar‑Athletes, underscoring a growing emphasis on the student‑part of student‑athlete.
Core developments
The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) men’s tennis team was named to the ITA All‑Academic Team, and six Eagles were recognized as Scholar‑Athletes for the 2025‑26 season. The announcement, released by NCCU Athletics, praised the group for maintaining a team GPA above the conference average while competing nationally.North Carolina Central University Athletics
At the University of North Carolina‑Greensboro, the women’s tennis program swept the Scholar‑Athlete honors, with every roster member earning the award as the team was also placed on the ITA All‑Academic Team. The Spartans’ release highlighted the program’s “culture of academic excellence” that has become a recruiting hallmark.UNC Greensboro Spartans
James Madison University (JMU) saw four of its women’s tennis players achieve Scholar‑Athlete status while the entire squad joined the ITA All‑Academic Team. The JMU Athletics office noted that the honored athletes balanced rigorous coursework in fields ranging from engineering to health sciences.James Madison University Athletics
Longwood University’s tennis program earned both a 2026 ITA Scholar‑Athlete award and All‑Academic Team recognition. The school’s release emphasized that the accolade reflects sustained academic performance over multiple semesters, marking the first such dual honor in the program’s history.Longwood University Athletics
George Mason University’s women’s tennis team was named to the ITA All‑Academic Team, and seven Patriots were named Scholar‑Athletes. The Patriots’ announcement cited a team GPA of 3.45, the highest in the program’s recent history.George Mason University Athletics
Georgia Southern University’s men’s tennis squad earned a place on the 2025‑26 ITA All‑Academic Team. While the release did not list a specific number of Scholar‑Athlete honorees, it highlighted the team’s collective GPA of 3.30 and the academic support structures that contributed to the achievement.Georgia Southern University Athletics
Why it matters
The ITA All‑Academic Team is a benchmark that signals a program’s ability to nurture high‑performing students who excel both on the court and in the classroom. Unlike athletic awards that focus solely on win‑loss records, the All‑Academic designation requires a minimum cumulative GPA—typically 3.0 or higher—combined with a minimum number of matches played. This dual criterion reinforces the NCAA’s “student‑first” ethos and provides a tangible metric for universities to showcase the holistic development of their athletes.
Scholar‑Athlete honors add another layer of distinction. Recipients must achieve a GPA of at least 3.5 while meeting eligibility and participation thresholds. The fact that 28 athletes across six programs earned this higher tier indicates that competitive tennis programs can sustain rigorous academic standards without sacrificing on‑court results. For prospective recruits, such accolades serve as evidence that a school values education, potentially influencing decisions in a market where academic reputation increasingly competes with athletic prestige.
From an institutional perspective, these honors can translate into broader benefits. Universities often leverage academic awards in fundraising, alumni engagement, and compliance reporting. Moreover, the ITA’s recognition can enhance a program’s visibility in national rankings, indirectly aiding scheduling opportunities against higher‑profile opponents.
Differing viewpoints and reactions
Coaches at each institution offered nuanced takes on the achievements. NCCU’s men’s tennis head coach highlighted the “discipline required to balance early‑morning practices with demanding coursework,” noting that the six Scholar‑Athletes serve as mentors for younger teammates.North Carolina Central University Athletics
UNC Greensboro’s women’s tennis staff emphasized the team‑wide Scholar‑Athlete sweep as a testament to their “academic mentorship program,” which pairs upperclassmen with freshmen to navigate course loads.UNC Greensboro Spartans
At JMU, the women’s tennis director framed the four Scholar‑Athlete recognitions as “proof that our athletes can pursue STEM majors without compromising performance,” a point she hoped would inspire future student‑athletes.James Madison University Athletics
Longwood’s athletic director described the dual honors as “a historic milestone,” underscoring the program’s recent investment in tutoring services and academic advising tailored to athletes’ travel schedules.Longwood University Athletics
George Mason’s women’s tennis coach praised the seven Patriot Scholar‑Athletes, attributing the success to “a collaborative effort between faculty, staff, and the athletes themselves.” He also mentioned that the team’s GPA represents the highest in the program’s decade‑long history.George Mason University Athletics
Georgia Southern’s men’s tennis head coach, while focusing on the All‑Academic Team placement, noted that the team’s academic achievements “set the foundation for life after tennis,” and hinted at plans to expand study‑hall partnerships.Georgia Southern University Athletics
What’s next
Looking ahead, the ITA will release its 2026‑27 All‑Academic selections later in the summer, offering programs another chance to showcase academic excellence. Many of the highlighted schools have already announced expanded tutoring initiatives, scholarship opportunities, and alumni mentorship programs aimed at sustaining or improving their GPA thresholds.
For the athletes themselves, the Scholar‑Athlete designation often opens doors to graduate scholarships, research assistantships, and professional networking events hosted by the ITA and partner organizations. As the next recruiting cycle approaches, coaches are likely to spotlight these achievements in outreach to high‑school prospects who prioritize both competitive tennis and academic rigor.
Ultimately, the convergence of athletic and academic accolades across these six programs signals a broader shift in collegiate tennis, where success is measured not just by match wins but also by the intellectual growth of the players.North Carolina Central University Athletics; UNC Greensboro Spartans; James Madison University Athletics; Longwood University Athletics; George Mason University Athletics; Georgia Southern University Athletics